L.A. Diamond Daveners Celebrate Shul’s ‘Bas Mitzvah’

12 is a well-known number in Judaism. There are the 12 tribes, 12 stones of the Choshen, 12 loaves of Lechem Hapanim. But most of all, it is the age at which a young girl experiences her transition into a woman. How appropriate then, when a Shul celebrates 12 years of success, for the Ezras Noshim to gather for the celebration – especially when it’s the Ezras Noshim of the only Shul in the world that is for the Kids – by the Kids!

The special thing about Kol Yakov Yehuda, The Rebbe’s Diamond Daveners, which is under the auspices of Cong. Levi Yitzchok in Hancock Park, is the emphasis they put on the children, empowering them to become the leaders of tomorrow. Through jobs in Shul on Shabbos, elections, programs throughout the year and more – they encourage and strengthen the children in their own capabilities.

This event was no different. The 8^th grade girls from the Shul’s Ezras Noshim got together to plan the spectacular Bas Mitzvah Celebration, both to celebrate the 12 years of success KYY has had, and to honor the girls who come to shul, Shabbos in and Shabbos out. Present to share this honor were the mothers of the girls – the role models of our generation.

On Sunday, May 11^th, the home of Rabbi and Mrs. Mendel Greenbaum was definitely the place to be. Girls and moms alike, dressed in beautiful formal wear, started piling into the backyard, where round tables were carefully decorated with exquisite center pieces, color coordinated candles and adorned with napkins in the shapes of bows.

To start off the evening there was a fun and spunky photo booth, where mothers and daughters got to let loose a bit and have a great time – dressing up and posing for the camera. As the picture printed on the spot, the girls decorated their very own frames to bring the memorable pictures home in, all while enjoying delicious hot french onion soup.

Then the mother-and-daughter duos were treated to a special milchig banquet. Steaming lasagnas, an extensive salad bar, garlic knots and fries were some of the delectable foods on the menu. Delicious cupcakes and colorful gumballs made for a great dessert!  During the program, the girls had a chance to inspire and be inspired.  The Schapiro girls – Chanchy, Rochie and Gnesha moved everyone present with their Dvar Torah about Davening and the importance of KYY.

Rabbi Mendel Duchman, founder and director of Kol Yakov Yehuda, took us back to the beginning – explaining how and why KYY was established 12 years ago. He expressed his gratitude to Hashem and the Rebbe for our continued growth and opportunity to reach the ‘Unzere’ Kinder of Southern California.

Being that this mother/daughter celebration was on Mother’s Day, Mushky Weiner and Ariela Chana Butel read a beautiful poem written in tribute to the mothers, which they composed themselves.

To end the incredible evening, a beautiful choir (performed by Ariela Chana Butel, Chanchie Schapiro, Devorah Leah Bart, Hindi Lerner, Mimi Ravnoy, Rochel Leah Schusterman, Leeba Farkash and Chaya Spalter) sang into the night, inspiring everyone through song about how KYY empowers them to be leaders and they know they will be on the front lines to bring Moshiach, since its “gonna be the little kinderlach!”

“I am so amazed at what you can accomplish and how KYY builds up these young girls with so much warmth and sense of mission”, says one KYY parent. “May Hashem bless you with much continued revealed goodness in your life and much Hatzlocha in all your future endeavors!”

“Every aspect of the event was designed and created by our very own 8^th graders – and we’d like to send out a special hakaras hatov to the girls for their hard work! Chanale Spalter, Mussy Schapiro, Geny Farkash, Mushka Fisch and Mushky Raeburn – what an incredible job!” said Mrs. Srula Chaiton, coordinator of the event and youth and program director of the KYY Ezras Noshim. “Thank you all the mothers and girls of our Ezras Noshim for coming out to celebrate 12 years of an incredible moisod and community,” she said.