A Bar Mitzvah in Brooklyn
Brooklyn, NY — A bris, a death, a bar mitzvah. Here’s a story about a Russian Jewish family, and an organization that holds their hands, walking them them through life cycle events, the Jewish way.
Monday morning, at a shul in Mill Basin, Brooklyn, a Russian Jewish boy was called to the Torah in honor of becoming a Bar-Mitzvah.
Alex Tkach, still raw from his father’s passing three weeks ago, donned tefillin like his dad did shortly before his death, with the help of Rabbi Dovid Okunov.
“Igor –Alex’s father–wrapped tefillin with me just two months ago,” Rabbi Okunov told Lubavitch.com. Okunov is director of F.R.E.E., (Friends of Refugees of Eastern Europe), the Chabad-Lubavitch outreach organization for Russian Jews.
Igor spoke to Rabbi Okunov of wanting to strengthen his Jewish commitment, and “he specifically expressed his desire to be careful about eating kosher.” He was concerned, says Okunov, that his son learn to live more fully as a Jew.
Article continued (Lubavitch.com)
Rabbi Dovid Okunov helps Alex’s grandfather wrap tefillin.
DANIEL BOTNICK
Great work Rabbi Okunov. F.R.E.E. is one great organization that continues focus on the Rebbe’s inyanim!
Smilin
Dovid Lookin Good!!!! Keep up the good work.
a chabadnik
mazel tov, may you only have simchos in your life. the tefillin looks great on you-keep it up.
best wishes always.
Impressed
Wow!
Keep up the good work.
Proud
Looks like the new generation of Okunovs is following in the same footsteps. That is awesome!
Best of luck to you, Alex.