By Rabbi Zalman Marcus, Director of Chabad Jewish Center of Mission Viejo, California
Almost 15 years ago, I had the honor and privilege of officiating the wedding of Lenny and Alena Vainberg. Two weeks ago, we celebrated the Bas Mitzvah of their daughter Raquel Vainberg.
Both Lenny and Alena are from the former Soviet Union. In the USSR, you were not allowed to practice your Judaism openly, and Jewish celebrations such as Bas Mitzvahs were a big no-no. So Raquel is the first Bas Mitzvah celebration in her family for the last few generations.
As the ceremony was going on, it struck me that this Bat Mitzvah was our sweet revenge against Stalin and all those who tried stopping us from being Jewish and celebrating our bar and bas mitzvahs, and an idea popped into my head.
I did not have any time to let anyone know about my idea, so it was going to have to be a surprise. I hoped it would go over well.
At the end of the ceremony, my wife Bassie and I were called up to conclude the ceremony.
When it was my turn to speak, I shared some thoughts about the wonderful gifts she had received from her parents and their parents. Because without their sacrifice, there would be no bas mitzvah.
I wanted Raquel to appreciate the moment and cherish this ceremony in its historical context. I also wanted to highlight the sweet revenge this ceremony was against Stalin and the other evil leaders who persecuted us.
So I asked all of her family members who were present to raise their hands if they did not get to celebrate their bas mitzvah, and they all raised their hands. Then I invited them to come up on stage with Raquel.
Raquel’s mother and both grandmothers, aunts, and cousins came up to join Raquel.
Once they were all there, I shared with them how this was our sweet revenge and that it was finally time for all of them to celebrate their Bas Mitzvahs. Because, in truth, this bas mitzvah would not have happened had they not persevered and stayed Jewish despite all of the oppression. And so we sang “siman tov umazal tov” for all of them.
Many tears were shed at that moment as the sweetness of the moment was overwhelming. Then, we went upstairs to enjoy an amazing Kosher reception with great joy and happiness.
During the Covid pandemic, the Vainberg family decided to start observing Shabbos, and since then, they have been enjoying Shabbos and the Jewish holidays.
Stalin tried to defeat the Jewish soul, but he, like many others before him, discovered that you don’t mess with the Jewish soul. It truly is undefeatable.
I hope very soon to be able to say that Hamas has met the same fate as Stalin and that they, too, will realize that the Jewish soul is not to be messed with!
Am Yisroel Chai!
VIDEO:
What a moving thought