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IDF Lone Soldiers Celebrate Bar Mitzvahs at Western Wall

2/24/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On February 23, 2026, 20 IDF lone soldiers held bar and bat mitzvah ceremonies at the Western Wall Plaza in Jerusalem.
The event included a musical procession from the Dung Gate and a Torah reading, with Ach Gadol providing mentorship and community support to lone soldiers.
Kidist Mengistu, an Ethiopian immigrant, was surprised by her mother's arrival after three years apart.

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Story summary

On February 23, 2026, 20 IDF lone soldiers held bar and bat mitzvah ceremonies at the Western Wall Plaza in Jerusalem.
The event included a musical procession from the Dung Gate and a Torah reading, with Ach Gadol providing mentorship and community support to lone soldiers.
Kidist Mengistu, an Ethiopian immigrant, was surprised by her mother's arrival after three years apart.