Nov 15, 2010

‘Young Lion’ Program Pairs B’nai Mitzvah Students with Holocaust Survivors

Each year, the Jewish Volunteer Center (JVC) of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation provides dozens of opportunities for members of our community to get together and make a difference. This year, the JVC has partnered with the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation for a remarkable program with the Young Lions of Judah — a youth Jewish-philanthropy program of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation — including pairing more than two dozen B’nai Mitzvah students with Holocaust survivors who never got the chance to become a B’nai Mitzvah.

Through this unique program, 25 duos of students and survivors are getting together for four special programs between now and January 2011, meeting one-on-one, touring the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach and participating in a beautification and planting project.

Additionally, each youngster has been asked do recognize his or her partner during the Bar or Bat Mitzvah service and make a $180 tzedakah contribution to the Annual Federation/UJA Campaign. As a memento, each student will receive a certificate of completion and a Young Lion of Judah jewelry gift — a silver bracelet for girls and a silver talit clip for boys.

“Most of the survivors that are living today were teenagers when they were in the ghettos or the concentration camps, and they certainly did not have an opportunity to be called to the Torah,” noted Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach Executive Director Sharon Horowitz. “What a wonderful way to honor these survivors, who we all consider to be heroes.”

For more information on these or any other volunteer opportunities, email JVC Director Lori Drutz or call 786.866.8414.