The Fed officially launched its 2022-23 Bar-Bat Mitzvah programme at the beginning of the month.
Twenty 12- and 13-year-olds from a range of local schools including King David, Meor, St Monica’s and Yavneh, attended the inaugural session. The group bonded quickly with the help of an ice-breaker quiz when they paired off and interviewed each other. The responses were read out and in a hilarious “Guess Who?” type session when they had to identify who was being described.
Next came a fact-finding treasure hunt across Heathlands Village. “They were incredibly keen to speak to the residents who they met along the way,” said joint programme coordinator, Natasha Sarak.
At the end of the session the youngsters had some quiet time to reflect on what they had learnt and write their thoughts down in their programme journals.
A delighted Natasha, who is co-running the sessions with charity’s NEXT-GEN project leader, Dan Jeffries, described the new intake as “a cracking bunch of kids”.
“They probably weren’t anticipating the session to be as interactive as it was. Although there was some classroom-style learning, the programme is relaxed and informal.”
“It was especially lovely to see children from different schools and religious backgrounds laughing and getting on so well. Our community, and the common thread of Judaism brought them together.”
Natasha and Dan were very touched by what Dan described as “one of the most humbling moments”.
“One of the children, Louis Harris, unexpectedly donated their pocket money for the week to The Fed’s Rosh Hashanah Appeal,” she explained. “This wonderful gesture epitomised the purpose of the programme – to instil in its participants a sensitivity to the needs of others, and a feeling of responsibility to care for people in need in our community. It was very emotional.
“We hope this is a sign of how powerful the programme is going to be this year!”