CTeenConnection

CTeen member, Hallandale, FL

Michael Teplitsky is a fifteen-year-old teen who goes to the CTeen of Hallandale, Florida. This past year was his first year in CTeen; it has been filled with charity work, participating in holiday events, and forming new friendships.  A few months ago, at our Passover event, we were chatting, and Michael mentioned to our CTeen Rabbi that he had never had a Bar Mitzvah. Immediately, our Rabbi wrapped tefillin on him. And thus, Michael’s next chapter in life came to be.

In honor of this momentous occasion, our chapter decided to throw Michael the Bar Mitzvah party that he never had. Being called up to the Torah and being surrounded by those who love him is what Michael will remember forever. Receiving his first pair of tefillin as a gift from our chapter is hopefully just the beginning of his journey.

During her speech, Michael’s mom raved about how happy she was that he finally wanted to have a Bar Mitzvah and how much the experience inspired their whole family. He expressed his love for CTeen during his speech and explained how he would not be doing this had he not been apart of his CTeen family.

As a proud CTeen member, I am feel honored to have been apart of this simcha. It is not everyday that a boy makes a life-changing decision like this. I see the strength that CTeen has instilled in me over the course of my journey, and I am so happy that my final days with CTeen have proved to have the same effect on others.

Always remember that it is the small things in life that may have the greatest effect on a person. While we all thought we were just attending another event, Michael felt an inspiration to share his desire to have a Bar Mitzvah.

Mazal Tov Michael! We are all so proud of you and cannot wait to see what Hashem has planned for you next!