Ahead of the closing ceremony that will conclude the Maccabiah events this evening, the group of participants visited Jerusalem. They took part in prayer ceremonies, toured the Old City, and had the opportunity to complete a personal milestone by celebrating their Bar or Bat Mitzvah and being called to the Torah at the Western Wall – even if they were unable to do so when they originally reached the age of religious responsibility.
Photo: Yossi Zamir, KKL-JNF photo archive
The event was held in cooperation with the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, which helped fulfill a lifelong dream for many participants by enabling them to experience their Bar or Bat Mitzvah moment at the Western Wall. For many, the ceremony became one of the most emotional and meaningful highlights of the Maccabiah.