January 2, 2007 / 12 Tevet 5767

In an emotionally packed day, that left one and all with memories that will remain for years to come, Austin Kallman from Greenwich, Connecticut came to Israel with his family in order to share his bar mitzvah celebration with 50 bar and bat mitzvah Ethiopian olim, from five absorption centers in the South.  

Marching to the music of Klezmer musicians, a party of some 260 family and friends made their way up the mountain of Masada, for this glorious celebration. 

Bryanna Kallman, Austin's mother, addressed the youth, telling them of the pride they felt that these new olim and their families have made aliyah and are on their way to becoming full-fledged Israelis. At the same time, Bryanna reminded the bar and bat mitzvah celebrants that they bring with them a rich cultural heritage, one which they should carry with them as they become more entrenched in their newly adopted culture and country, thereby enriching Israel, and in turn, each of us.