Paula Abdul Celebrates Bat-Mitzvah with Chabad
Many in Israel and around the world, who were following the Bat Mitzvah trip of singer Paula Abdul to Israel last week, were wondering why she made a last minute unexpected cancelation of her reported plan to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah by the Kotel in Jerusalem.
It was a well-kept secret until yesterday. After a full weekend of relaxation in Tzfat, away from the eyes of the media, Mrs. Abdul arrived in the Tzfat Kabbalah Center to meet with Chabad Rabbi Eyal Riess and his wife Mrs. Nathalie Riess for her special Celebration.
Mrs. Abdul did her event together with PR agent Mrs. Tracey Szimanski, and for both Jewish women it was a memorable event that lasted five hours (!).
The first session was with Mrs. Nathalie Riess, who gave a special workshop of Jewish women spiritual empowerment, which included explanations of the meaning of becoming Bat Mitzvah in the Jewish Chassidic tradition, and explanations about the main Mitzvot for women as taught in the Rebbe’s Sichos. Mrs. Riess gave Bat Mitzvah presents to the two ladies, in the form of beautiful Shabbat candles from the Tzfat Candle Factory.
After a spiritual tour of Ancient Tzfat, the celebration took place in the ancient Abuhav Synagogue, and included recitation of Shema Yisroel, saying personal Tehilim, Klezmer musical performance and personal prayer in front of the Aron Kodesh that left many eyes in tears.
Mrs. Abdul than shared her special feelings after each time she visited 770 and the Ohel together with Rabbi Chaim Mentz of Bel Air. While listening to the Nigun of ‘3 movements’ at the L’Chaim following the event, Mrs. Abdul shared her feelings about the merit she had to celebrate in Tzfat, and promised to bring more friends for the special activities and events of the Tzfat Kabbalah Center.
The Bat Mitzvah Celebrants also met with Rabbi Shmuel Eliahu, Chief Rabbi of Tzfat, who blessed them on their big day.
Rabbi Riess summarized the event, saying: “Mrs. Abdul chose Tzfat as the place for her Bat Mitzvah. As our Center hosts dozens of Bar & Bat Mitzvah events every year, many are of Shluchim and their community members, we know why Tzfat is so special. Paula Abdul proved that ‘it’s never too late’ – since Torah and Mitzvot are above time and space, there’s always room for reconnecting with our spiritual heritage in a meaningful way. Mrs. Abdul definitely has a pure Jewish Neshama that is seeking true and meaningful Jewish spirituality.”
disturbing
big.. deal!
Andrea Schonberger
My exact sentiments too…LOL.
Medical Professional
It is a big deal. She is a name people recognize. She is a celebrity and has chosen to do something positive which can influence those who look up to her.
Mazel Tov!
May Ms. Abdul continue to grow in her Torah learning, mitzvah observance and yiras shomayim.
may she go mchoyil el choyil
a yid is a yid is a yid
sol
is she Jewish??
Aidel
I love how she is dressed looking so Tznius and Aidel !
Kiddush Hashem!
It’s a big Kiddush Hashem that someone so famous in the modern world realizes the truth of Judaism.
ps
Mazel Tov! At any age! And obviously not for show in sfat.
ps
Yes she Jewish.!
Huge Natalie Fan
Go Natalie! Ur awesome!
Really?
Really?
Name?
Does she have a Hebrew name. If not she should take on one.
Sara
which one is she (of the 3 women) and for what is she famous?
Mendel
Who is she?
Anonymous
She is the woman in the last photo. She was a very famous pop star/singer and choreographer in the 80’s and 90’s and more recently she was a judge for the television show American Idol.
Daniel Brooks
Mazal Tov, Zai Gezunt Un Shtark