Jerusalem, Israel, Nov. 19, 2018 - For seventeen years, a special, bittersweet event has been held at Beit Hanasi in Jerusalem, Israel. President Reuven and Nechama Rivlin, on Monday evening, 11 Kislev, hosted 60 children celebrating their Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah, all from families affected by terrorist attacks, sponsored by the Organization of Victims of Terrorism.

During the event Nehorai Zarka ben Saadon, the son of Michael ben Saadon ז"ל  who was killed in a terrorist attack in Eilat, in 2007, spoke on behalf of the children. 

“Hanuka will soon be here, a holiday of light and thanksgiving. A symbol of the victory of the spirit. We, the family of victims of terrorism, will defeat the darkness and the difficulty, with God’s help, and with the help of joy and boundless love between all people. To mark our entry to adulthood and accepting the obligations of the Torah as adults, let us all decide that each one of us will do good and bring light to the world, each one of us with his or her own unique and special light." Nehorai was eight months old when his father was killed. He was accompanied by his proud grandfather, various relatives attended with other of the celebrants.  

President Rivlin spoke to the children, “Dear Bar Mitzvah boys and Bat Mitzvah girls, Mazal Tov! Happy Bar and Bat Mitzvah! Today is a celebration for you and for us. The day on which we mark the transition from childhood to adulthood. Your families can hardly believe it. It feels like you were just born, and now you are young men and women full of ideas and dreams. In Jewish tradition, Bar and Bat Mitzvah marks the stage of growing up and entering the world of adult responsibilities. This is the age when carefree children discover that the world is not always rosy. But you, dear Bar and Bat Mitzvah children, sons and daughters of victims of terrorism, you have been aware of that since you were young. You were exposed to pain, loss and difficulty too young in life. You needed to take responsibility too young and too quickly. Each of you grew up in that difficulty. You learned to grow through the pain, and with it. You are not just young men and women. You are also young men and women who overcome obstacles. I would even say that each one of you is a hero!” 

The president continued, “When I celebrated my Bar Mitzvah in Jerusalem, quite a few years ago, when the city was divided. We suffered from shelling and sniper fire. In the decades that have passed, we have come a long way. Unfortunately, it is not yet quiet here in Israel. Just recently, the communities of the south near Gaza were fired on. The children of the south continue to live their daily lives and routines. I know that some of you live in the south and have grown up in the shadow of rockets and missiles. And there are some of you who have been injured, or family members have been injured, by them. I am not giving you strength - you are the strongest people there are!”

At the end of his remarks, the president said he hoped the young people would continue to be a source of strength, pride, hope, and consolation for their families.

Chair of the Organization of Victims of Terrorism Abie Moses and Director-General of the National Insurance Institute Meir Spiegel also spoke at the event.

Esti Ginzburg emceed the evening and singer Stephane Legar performed two of his popular songs, and ended the program with singing of Hatikvah.