July 29, 2010
Another busy day on Leora Kohn's Bat Mitzvah trip...
The Cohen's finally arrived and we all met at the zoo this morning. We didn't actually see many animals because we were all busy shmoozing and catching up. We mostly hung out on the playground, in the petting zoo and climbing on the mosaic animals.
After returning to the apartment to shower and change, we headed out to Benei Brak to Achuzat Sarah for the culmination of Leora's chessed project. It really was quite amazing to learn about Achuzat Sarah and to actually see how the children their are so well taken care of. The children are there because, for whatever reason, their parents are unable to take care of them. There may have been financial constraints, physical abuse, or neglect. You can tell from interacting with the children that it is truly a happy place.
We began our evening watching a beautiful video about Achuzat Sarah (it can be seen on their website), Then when the men went to daven mincha, the women were joined by all of the bat mitzvah girls to make challah. It was meaningful and beautiful. Leora and I made the bracha together.
Next we went on a tour of the home and saw where the children actually live. Then we ate a delicious dinner with the children and had dancing together. Yehuda Cohen, the assistant director (who grew up in Achuzat Sarah) gave Leora a beautiful bracha and presented her with a gift.
I developed a special connection wih a little girl named Mazora who told me her heartbreaking story of abuse and why she is in the home. It was a very meaningful experience.
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