The BPY middle school faculty and students celebrated at the school’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah Gala! Dressed in more formal attire, the students enjoyed a special celebration for all of the students whose bar and bat mitzvahs were impacted by the pandemic and all of the students who are still unsure of their future smachot. In addition, the students were taught about the important aspects of this special milestone. BPY feels very fortunate and privileged to have had the ability to provide this COVID safe opportunity for its students!
Each grade participated in three stations. Part of becoming a bar or bat mitzvah is becoming of age to do all of the mitzvot. Limud HaTorah and emunah in Hashem are important to our personal spiritual growth. Therefore a learning component was vital to this special simcha. The students met with Rav Acoca and Morah Dina to explore the importance of Tehillim. Then, the students participated in a meaningful chesed project. After discussing the importance of chesed and the many ways that students can get actively involved, the students decorated mugs and tumblers for first responders. After writing heartfelt thank you notes, they filled the cups with hot beverage packets. We look forward to bringing smiles to the first responder heroes who have always been here for us, and have definitely played a different role during the pandemic. The final station was a festive meal. The students heard about proper etiquette when enjoying a buffet meal, including being thoughtful of those around you when waiting in line for a buffet and wishing a mazal tov to the hosts. The students then enjoyed a delicious meal catered by Parties By Shimon. They loved posing with their friends in the photo booth graciously provided by LBK Events and Catering. The students wrote messages on the grade specific signing board and reminisced as they watched the montage that the students helped to produce.
To top off this special celebration, the students participated in a simcha dancing workshop. Divided into pods, the boys and girls each participated in a workshop where they learned some important dances and enjoyed the ruach! Jonathan Rimberg turned the gym into a simcha hall filled with the perfect music to keep the students dancing! Benny Amar’s energy and ruach was palpable as he taught each group how to move to the music. The swag, from RushKing—glow sticks, color glasses, light up rings, and leis—added to the atmosphere.
As students left the gala, they were thrilled with the BPY Bar/Bat Mitzvah Gala sweatshirts! A special thank you to Talya Safier for creating the very special logo for this event! A huge hakarat hatov to all of the generous donors for enhancing this simcha.
