The youngsters of Kibbutz Be'eri who are celebrating their bar and bat mitzvahs at a joint ceremony on Thursday. Photo: Albert Sadikov/JINI/Israel Hayom.

JNS.org – After three postponements due to rocket fire during Operation Protective Edge, 16 youngsters from Kibbutz Be’eri near the Gaza border were set to celebrate their bar and bat mitzvahs at a joint ceremony on Thursday evening, with an expected 1,500 guests in attendance.

Kibbutz Be’eri suffered significant damage to cars, buildings, and agricultural fields from Gaza rocket fire over the summer. The joint ceremony, an annual tradition at the kibbutz, marks the end of a year-long process for the youngsters.

“The children have already been preparing for this ceremony for two weeks, and it is supposed to include singing, dancing and a special fire display,” said Mencher Dvori, the kibbutz secretary-general, according to Israel Hayom. “It will be a very meaningful experience, the biggest celebration at the kibbutz this year.”

Chen Karonik, one of the bar mitzvah boys, said, “I was really disappointed when the ceremony was postponed. It is a very old tradition. Now, there is so much excitement and we are working hard to make it turn out amazingly.”