Melbourne Bar Mitzvah Program Celebrates Graduation

The Man Up Bar Mitzvah Program of Yeshivah College in Melbourne, Australia held its annual dinner recently, celebrating this year’s graduating students of the program.

The evening began with an opening speech by the programs director, Rabbi Binyomin Serebryanski. This was followed by the reading of the traditional Rebbe letter addressed to a Bar Mitzvah Bochur by students Yitzchok Dovid Cooper and Asaf Silver.

Rabbi Serebryanski then spoke to the crowd about the support that Man Up provides to Pantry Packers (Colel Chabad) in Eretz Yisrael, and how every year the class raises money for this cause. This year, they raised over $10,000, and gave an orphan boy the opportunity to have an incredible Bar Mitzvah in Israel, made possible by Pantry Packers.

Four boys then led the crowd in Tehillim for the safety in Eretz Yisrael, which was then followed by a video which highlights some of the experiences of the year.

The crowd was then addressed by Yeshivah Secondary’s principal, Rabbi Yudi Green, who brought a point from the Parsha how although no one is saying that life and school will be easy, there will always be support if you give your best effort.

The boys and crowd then enjoyed a hearty dinner, which was followed by speeches by the boys highlighting what they had learnt that year.

Following this, Yitzchok Dovid Groner and Aba Glasman shared with the crowd their Man Up experiences, their highlights, favourite times, and overall memories.

The crowd was then treated to Niggun Gaaguim by Man Up graduates Aba Glasman, Mendel Korik, Meir Nathanson, and Yitzchok Dovid Groner.

We were then addressed by our local Member for Parliament, who in recent weeks has been working overtime advocating for Israel, Mr David Southwick MP.

We then said a big thank you to our sponsors, Mr Ben and Mrs. Christine Cochrane Davis, and Mr Daniel and Mrs Tali Houseman, who support Man Up throughout the year.

The boys then hit the dance floor, celebrating their achievements, and their recent acceptance into the Bar Mitzvah club.

After this, the crowd then enjoyed a special dessert while hearing from one of the Man Up parents, Rabbi Reuvi Cooper, who runs a Bar Mitzvah Program of his own in his Chabad House. He then presented a present to Rabbi Serebryanski on behalf of all the parents.

The boys were then presented with certificates and mementos of a Yarmulka and cap.

The event ended with a group photo, and Bentching was led by Menachem Derren.

Mazal Tov to the graduating boys of this year, Yitzchok Dovid Groner, Yitzchok Dovid Cooper, Tzuriel Aharon, Ben Polezoes, Meir Nathanson, Menachem Derren, Tzvi Adelist, Benny Gordon, Zac Rotskier, Ezra Cohen, Jacob Briskin, Yaakov Wellis, Levi Glasman, Eli Balbin, Nossi Belfer, Noach Herbst, Yosef Yitzchok Lipskier, Menachem Mendel Eidelman, Shimon Serebryanski, Eli Segal, Ben Segal, Levi Ossip, Yossi Johnson, Boruch Lowenthal, Yisroel Liberow, Aba Glasman, Binny Joseph, Nosson Gestetner, Meir Greenbaum, Asaf Silver, Asher Ruschnik, Elchonon Lipskier, Ari Rosenbaum, Yonah Kass, Mendel Korik, Benjy Michmacher.

May the boys grow m’Chayil el Chayil and grow to be Chassidim, Yorei Shomayim, and Lamdonim!

Thank you to Kobi Mazuz and Schneur Reicher for the photos.

A big thank you to Rabbi Binyomin Serebryanski, for tirelessly running this program, organising trips, events, and the curriculum.