| In the 1960s-80s, it was common for a bar | | | | |
| mitzvah / bat mitzvah to "twin" with a Jewish | | | | Twinning with a Rescuer - This program of the |
| child in the Soviet Union who, because of | | | | Jewish Foundation for the Righteous allows a |
| religious oppression, was not able to become | | | | child to help the Jewish community repay a |
| bar mitzvah at his own service. Today, the | | | | collective debt of gratitude. The child |
| distress of Jews in Russia is somewhat eased, | | | | selects a particular rescuer to be twinned |
| but many children there still don't have the | | | | with and makes a donation to the JFR. The |
| benefit of religious education. There are now | | | | suggested minimum gift is $180. The bar |
| also new opportunities to twin with children | | | | mitzvah / bat mitzvah receives a Twinning |
| in Israel, including recent Ethiopian | | | | Certificate and a presentation can be made |
| emigrants, or with a Righteous Gentile who | | | | from the bimah if your rabbi approves. Look |
| helped to rescue Jews during the Holocaust. | | | | Now |
| There are even a few programs of "Holocaust | | | | |
| Twinning" where the student shares his | | | | Holocaust Twinning - There is no national |
| experience with the memory of a child who | | | | program I'm aware of that is available to |
| perished in the Holocaust before reaching the | | | | all, but you could easily do this yourself. |
| bar mitzvah milestone. Here are the details: | | | | Visit the website of the Museum of Tolerance |
| | | | in Los Angeles for biographies of children |
| Twinning with an Israeli AMIT Child - For | | | | lost in the Holocaust (Look Now); choose the |
| $250, your child can be twinned with a less | | | | child whose story most touches you. Tell his |
| fortunate Israeli child in an AMIT school. | | | | her story at your child's service, make a |
| Your gift pays for an Oneg Shabbat for the | | | | donation in the child's memory to an |
| Israeli bar mitzvah / bat mitzvah; your child | | | | appropriate charity, and pledge that you will |
| will receive a bronze State of Israel Medal | | | | hold that child's memory in your heart. |
| and a personalized certificate. Twins are | | | | |
| encouraged to become pen pals. Look Now | | | | A particularly good charity for Holocaust |
| | | | Twinning would be The Blue Card, the only |
| Twinning with an Israeli Child through Emunah | | | | agency in the United States that provides |
| of America. This organization provides a | | | | cash to needy Holocaust survivors and, when |
| broad range of social services in Israel | | | | necessary, to their psychologically affected |
| including housing, care and education of | | | | children. It was founded over 60 years ago by |
| neglected and abused children and settlement | | | | a group of compassionate people, themselves |
| of immigrant families. They sell "Simcha | | | | recent refugees from Nazi tyranny. This |
| Share" certificates in multiples of $36; a | | | | financial aid is rendered by check directly |
| contribution of $360 or more earns a | | | | to the needy with a minimum of bureaucratic |
| medallion in addition to certificate | | | | red tape. The Blue Card is a nation-wide |
| recognizing the donation. Look Now | | | | organization that fills a need unmet by other |
| | | | agencies and public programs. Visit their |
| Twinning with a Russian Child - The Bay Area | | | | website at |
| Council for Jewish Rescue and Renewal will | | | | |
| match you with a child in the former Soviet | | | | Another good charity would be the Claims |
| Union. The twins get to share experiences and | | | | Conference - Conference on Jewish Material |
| learn from each other. When it is time to | | | | Claims Against Germany. Their mission over |
| become a bar mitzvah / bat mitzvah, the | | | | their "50-year history has always been to |
| American spiritually includes his/her twin in | | | | secure what we consider a small measure of |
| the ceremony. | | | | justice for Jewish victims of Nazi |
| | | | persecution. We have pursued this goal |
| Twinning with an Ethiopian Child - The North | | | | through a combination of negotiations, |
| American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry | | | | disbursing funds to individuals and |
| (NACOEJ) matches children worldwide with | | | | organizations, and seeking the return of |
| Ethiopian Jewish children living in Israel. | | | | Jewish property lost during the Holocaust." |
| In addition to the personal benefits of the | | | | |
| friendships that often develop between twins, | | | | For more information on Holocaust Twinning |
| your financial gift helps to improve quality | | | | from an organization running a local project |
| of life for all the Ethiopian Jewish children | | | | in the Washington, D.C. area, contact Sam |
| in the community. The council also offers | | | | Spiegel, coordinator of the "Remember-a-Child |
| handmade crafts and gifts that can be | | | | Project", at (301) 881-2454. |
| purchased for the bar mitzvah party. Look Now | | | | |