Jewish Life Digital Edition October 2015 | Página 33

PHOTO COURTESY TREVOR SACHS

EMUNAH LADIES BEIT MIDRASH
BATMITZVAH GIRLS 2015

“Together with a few of my good friends,
my parents gave me the opportunity to
attend the Emunah Bat Mitzvah programme,
which was spiritually uplifting and also lifechanging in respect of my thoughts, beliefs
and attitudes. The bracelet I received is
something I will treasure forever, as it
has charms which represent each step of
the programme. It started on Tu B’shvat,
where we each planted a cabbage, and mine
has grown and blossomed in the last six
months as much as I have. This incredible
seven-month journey was better than any
theme park ride, which elevated me to an
inspirational path leading up to my bat

mitzvah Dvar Torah and celebration. I will
hold the memories of my bati year close
to my heart for the rest of my life, as the
culmination of the programme was not the
end of my thrilling ride, but the beginning of
a whole new world as a young woman.”
Samara Ariella Jay
“Emunah was the best choice my mom
and I ever made. It was the most inspiring,
touching and memorable programme. Our
dedicated bati teachers gave us the most
stimulating sessions. Each lesson was an
interactive learning experience that we
shared. Some were about the different

chags, one was about gratitude. There
was a moms and daughters challah bake
and a dads and daughters melava malka.
They also brought in such inspirational
speakers. The ceremony was so beautiful
and each girl got to speak about the light
someone brought to their lives. It was a
privilege to share the day with all the girls
and our families. Emunah even gave me the
chance to have my bati in honour of Keila
Levin, who died in the Shoah and was not
able to have her bat mitzvah. The whole
programme was an incredible experience
and I will remember it forever.”
Kira Levin

EMUNAH ISRAEL TOUR
BY WENDY KAHN

Wishing
J
Life mag ewish
a
a happy zine
8t h
bir t hday
, may it
go
f rom st r
engt h to
st rengt h

At age 44, I embarked on my first real Jewish learning experience armed with notebook, pen and a bunch of
enthusiastic fellow learners. Although the reputation of the esteemed Midreshet Harova had enticed me
to participate in this scary venture, I can’t say I didn’t step onto the EL AL flight without a healthy dose of
trepidation. What I experienced exceeded anything I ever could have hoped for. Rabbi Milson and his outstanding
team of educators challenged us and extended us in ways I could never have envisioned. Each teacher came with
perspectives that were fundamentally different to any religious learning ѡ