Ateret Tollinsky is a seventh grader at The Moriah School and is a regular Friendship Circle volunteer. On Shabbat she’s often a shadow at Congregation Rinat Yisrael’s Shabbat morning groups.

For her bat mitzvah, Ateret wanted to have a simcha with all her friends. With the support and cooperation of her parents, who run the youth groups at Rinat Yisrael, which prides itself on its wonderful and unique shadow program, and Zeesy Grossman, who together with her husband, Moshe, run the very successful Friendship Circle of Bergen County, Ateret succeeded in having the special bat mitzvah she wanted. Her school friends, her shul friends and her Friendship Circle friends all came together to celebrate, with lots of singing and dancing under the supervision of Shimmy 2 Zumba, the DJ.

The afternoon started traditionally, but then added a twist. It started with a photo montage, followed by dancing, food, divrei Torah and a siyum on Seder Moed. Then a bus full of Friendship Circle participants ranging in age from 3 to 15, their volunteer chaperones and many of their parents came to join in the fun. Together with Ateret and Moriah’s 7th grade girls, they danced, laughed and enjoyed dessert while sharing in Ateret’s simcha.

By JLNJ Staff