20 Girls Celebrate Bat Mitzvah at CGI Poconos

A few weeks ago, the CGI Poconos family celebrated the Bat Mitzvah of over 20 girls in the B-Me Division of camp. For many of the girls from as far away as Hawaii and Panama, this would be their only Bat Mitzvah celebration, so a truly unforgettable celebration was planned.

The celebration was the culmination of a unique learning program that led up to this momentous night. Throughout the summer, the B-Me division learned about the meaning of becoming a Bat Mitzvah girl and their great honor and responsibility in continuing the legacy of Jewish women throughout history. The learning program was prepared by Mrs. Malka Jacobson, the Learning Director at camp, and was uniquely designed to prepare the girls for this pivotal milestone in their lives.

The evening began with a warm welcome by the B-Me division head counselor Sara Levertov, setting the stage for a memorable night ahead. A letter of the Rebbe addressed to Bat Mitzvah girls was read by Gershon Sandler, founder, and director of CGI Poconos, followed by a beautiful video presentation of the Rebbe speaking about this great life milestone.

One of the highlight moments of the evening was an inspiring speech by Michelle H, where she shared her personal journey throughout the summer. She spoke about her initial dependency on others due to an injury, followed by her transformation into a reliable individual who was now ready to step into the world of a Jewish woman. Michelle’s heartfelt words encapsulate the essence of the Bat Mitzvah experience and its significance.

In an engaging presentation, the girls took turns coming up in pairs and sharing stories of remarkable Jewish women from history. Drawing connections between these Jewish women and themselves, they highlighted the lessons that could be learned in their own personal lives. From Mode Ani in the morning to Shema at night, each girl announced a personal Hachlata that they felt was doable for them. “It was beautiful to watch as each girl prepared for the special celebration, taking the concepts they spent weeks learning to heart and explaining how they will apply it to their own personal lives,” said Sara Levertov, one of the head counselors. The formal part of the celebration concluded with a captivating song written by the Bat Mitzvah girls themselves.

Once again, the highlight of this year’s Bat Mitzvah celebration was the grand camp-wide dancing led by @DanceWithRaizy, who came in specially for the event. The entire camp family joined together, joyfully singing and dancing with the focus on the Bat Mitzvah girls, giving each girl the opportunity to shine, feel cherished, and celebrated.

To find out more about Camp gan Israel Poconos or to sponsor a camper, visit www.CGIPoconos.org.