For the sixth year in a row, on May 28, Ma’ayanot students hosted a bat mitzvah celebration for a local girl who otherwise would not have celebrated in such a festive manner. A sixth-grader from Chabad of Tenafly was invited to be the honoree. After months of planning, Ma’ayanot students threw what Chabad of Tenafly’s Middle School Principal Meital Teitelman called “the party of a lifetime,” arranging invitations, decorations, food, transportation, activities, a dress, hair styling, makeup and much more.

The school exploded with ruach as the Ma’ayanot students celebrated with the bat mitzvah girl, her family and about 20 invited guests. Sponsors and local vendors generously supported the event, which included a photo booth, a candy bar, catered food and more. Ma’ayanot students presented the bat mitzvah with a necklace and a siddur, both personalized, and she delivered a speech that they helped her prepare. “I didn’t realize how much goes into planning a bat mitzvah. It was a lot of work but a lot of fun, and I would definitely do it again. It made a huge impact on her life,” said student committee member Meira Book. Fellow committee member Chaya Ross concurred, “It didn’t feel like we were doing a chesed, it just felt like fun and party planning. But it really had a huge impact, and it felt good to know that we were making such a difference.” Teitelman strongly agreed. “She had the opportunity to dance and deliver her speech, wearing a gorgeous gown and basking in the simcha and ruach the high school girls truly felt for her. The Ma’ayanot girls touched her soul by going out of their way to make her feel happy and special. And they showed her what a difference we can all make in someone else’s life, if only we choose to do so.”