As a highlight of the JKHA seventh grade boys’ week of bar mitzvah programming, students had a very special trip to Brooklyn. At the Hatzolah of Flatbush headquarters, students heard from Rabbi Akiva Klein, director of public relations, on the history of Hatzolah, fascinating details of how they do their amazing work and about the importance of chesed in general. Students enjoyed a tour of their garage and were able to spend time in a Hatzolah ambulance.

Next, students had an unbelievable visit with Rabbi Yaakov Michael, one of the best “batim machers” (tefillin makers) in the world. Rabbi Michael mesmerized students as he showed them the process of making tefillin, starting from the hide all the way to the finished product. Students saw his incredible machinery used to make the tefillin square, were able to practice making the shin of the tefillin as professionals do and saw his high tech computer tefillin checking system. As one student put it, “I never appreciated how much went into making my tefillin.”

Students were treated to lunch at Perizia Pizza and enjoyed a stop at Eichler’s, the largest seforim and Judaica store in the world. Their trip ended with Mincha at the famous Landau’s “minyan factory” where students were amazed to see the number of minyanim that take place there daily.