On Monday morning, the excitement was palpable in the Shul for Hebrew-speaking people in Toronto, Canada, led by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Zaltzman. During the reading of the Torah, the daughter of a family in the congregation received a Jewish name. She then celebrated her Bat Mitzvah.
Only a week ago, her parents were married with a Chuppah and ceremony performed by Rabbi Zaltzman.
“Unfortunately, there are many families in the same situation,” said Zaltzman. “This is why we are here, doing the Rebbe’s Shlichus. To show another Jew the proper way and bring them closer to Torah.”
The Bat Mitvah girl, in her speech, spoke about the decree of Pharoah to allow the girls to live, but to raise her in the ways of the Egyptians. She mentioned also that during the parsha of Shemos was an appropriate time for her to receive a Jewish name.
Rabbi Zaltzman is the rav of the Russian speaking community and not dovrei Ivrit in Toronto.