An air of anticipation filled Petach Tikvah's Rinat Asher
synagogue on Thursday, November 15, 2001 as twin brothers,
Yonatan and Yedidiya Aragash from the nearby city of Rosh
Ha'ayin, came to celebrate their bar mitzvah. There
were smiles from family and friends, together with a myriad
of young boys singing and dancing round the synagogue's
central bimah. The twins were individually called to
the Torah and duly showered with a rain of candies. The
guests were then led to a festive meal and enjoyed the
musical accompaniment of a professional singer. The
celebration continued with a stimulating, hands-on project
for the bar mitzvah boys' classmates.
A bar mitzvah is always a moving and significant
milestone in a young man's life, and there is added
excitement and fanfare when the celebrants are twins.
However, the bar mitzvah of Yonatan and Yedidya had an
even greater measure of meaning; that is because the Aragashs
suffer from cerebral palsy (CP) and, apart from having
profound speech and motor problems, the boys are confined to
wheelchairs. The determination and courage that it took for
these boys to reach this special moment in their lives made
the occasion all the more momentous.
The bar mitzvah of the twin brothers was arranged by
MATAN, Ezer Mizion's unique educational program for children
suffering from CP. MATAN is the Hebrew acronym for Mercaz
Torani LeNoar -- the Center for Torah Study for Youth. The
program was established just six years ago by Johnny and
Mindy Ebrahimoff who themselves have a son and a daughter
with CP.
Beginning with only four participants, MATAN has since grown
to its current enrollment of 60 pupils. To date, MATAN
operates four days a week for approximately two hours each
day, and its services are offered for both boys and girls.
Since it is the only program of its kind in Israel, its
students come from all over central Israel to Petach Tikva
where MATAN is situated. Its curriculum includes a full range
of Jewish studies that are not a part of the children's
regular schedule.
Johnny Ebrahimoff relates: "MATAN started around the time of
my son's bar mitzvah, when he turned to my wife and
myself and said, `It's not fair. I have to go to this special
school -- what about my Torah education?' We made contact
with Rabbi Yerez, a professional psychologist and arranged
for him to tutor our Benji for his bar mitzvah.
Following the celebration he continued teaching Benji
Torah sessions. When our son's schoolmates heard about this,
they wanted to join in the learning. It became apparent to us
that there was a need for a center to educate children with
severe physical but only mild mental disabilities, about
their heritage."
It was just about this time that Ezer Mizion opened its
branch in Petach Tikvah. Considering their tremendous
experience in the field of special education, Ebrahimoff
realized that it would be wise to join up with Ezer Mizion.
The well-established, national organization had much to offer
in professional advice, volunteers, technical assistance and
financial funding. The match was made and MATAN was born.
The staff at MATAN are always looking for ways to brighten
the hard lives of the children in their care. One of the most
exciting events at MATAN is a bar mitzva. With the
gracious help of many individuals and the nearby Rinat Asher
synagogue, MATAN arranges all the details from beginning to
end.
Other special events at MATAN are trips and special Holiday
activities. As one volunteer relates, "We once took a trip to
Jerusalem to pray at the Kosel. After arriving back at Petach
Tikvah, I asked a boy who had never spoken before, how he
enjoyed the trip. I almost cried when he very clearly
answered `More.' "
It's because of moments such as these that Ezer Mizion and
the staff at MATAN are so dedicated to their cause of
bringing joy and meaning into the lives of these special
children.
