Daniel Marks celebrated his Bar Mitzvah last week during a once in a lifetime Torah dedication ceremony alongside family, friends, and hundreds of Israeli soldiers.
With the help of the International Young Israel Movement (IYIM) Warrior Torah Program, Daniel and his family celebrated the joyous occasion at the Headquarters of the Shomron (Samaria) Regional Brigade.
Two busloads of guests were guided to Samaria for the event. They were met with music and dancing soldiers.
The dancing continued until Daniel emerged under a chupah (canopy) carrying “his” Torah adorned with a mantle of rich blue and silver, emblazoned with the dedication penned by his parents, Rachel and Jonathan, and arranged and printed by IYIM.
A joyous procession led the Torah towards the base synagogue, as IYIM distributed candy to guests to shower on the Bar Mitzvah boy and his family during the procession.
Once inside the base's synagogue, the Torah was arranged on the bima, where a relative, a soldier, and Daniel himself were called up to make the blessings on the Torah portion, which was read by the Commanding IDF Rabbi of the area.
Following the reading, the Torah was placed inside its new home in the ark of the Shomron Regional Brigade.
A celebratory meal followed in which guests mingled with soldiers attending the event. The family was also presented with a special IDF certificate by the Commanding Officer of the region, commemorating the Marks family’s generous donation to the IDF.
Guests also received the opportunity to plant trees on the base, with the help of several soldiers, in honor of Tu B'Shvat.
“We are excited to give back to the IDF in a meaningful way and we are grateful that IYIM made that possible,” commented Rachel Marks, mother of the Bar Mitzvah boy.
“The dedication was a once in a lifetime experience saturated with meaning, emotion and jubilation. IYIM really listened to our wishes and succeeded in executing a wonderful day which will always remain in our hearts and minds. We hope that the Torah will be a source of guidance and strength to the men and women of the IDF and all of Klal Yisrael.”
