Bar Mitzvah by Ari Belles Alcabes

Last Shabbat was a very special day for our beloved Ari and his family, and for his “other” family: the ATID and NOAM community. On Thursday he put on his tefillin for the first time before the attentive and proud eyes of his family, and on December 9 he was called to the Torah for the first time. Ari commented on Parsha Vayeshev, choosing to study one of its most controversial parts, the relationship between Yehuda and Tamar, teaching us how, sometimes, it is necessary to make difficult decisions in life to achieve what one wants.

It was a pleasure to have his family with us, who traveled from other parts of Catalonia, Israel and the United States to share this long-awaited moment with him. It was especially emotional to see the Alcabes family, ledor vador [from generation to generation] singing Leja Dodi from the bima in memory of their ancestor Shlomo Alkabetz (16th century) creator of the beautiful poem with which we welcome the Queen Shabbat every Friday at sunset.

Ari is preparing to be madrij at NOAM and we are sure that he will leave an essential legacy in our community and in Barcelona Judaism.

Dear Ari, may you continue to “roar” with the same courage and serenity to set an example for future generations.
Mazel Tov!