Your Journey of Remembrance
A meaningful, personalized experience that transforms your Bar or Bat Mitzvah into an act of sacred remembrance and deep learning.
Share Your Family Story
You'll complete a thoughtful form telling us about your child, your family's history, and any connections to the Holocaust. We want to understand your family's roots, the towns and communities where your ancestors lived, and any relatives who perished.
This information helps Rabbi Brussel create a deeply meaningful and personal connection.
Personal Historical Research
Rabbi Brussel conducts detailed historical research into:
- The towns and communities where your family once lived
- The shtetls and cities of Poland and Eastern Europe
- Jewish life before the Holocaust in these communities
- Children who perished and shared connections with your family
This isn't a simple database search — it's comprehensive research that uncovers stories, photographs, and documents connecting past and present.
Finding the Perfect Match
Using the Yad Vashem database and historical records, Rabbi Brussel identifies a child whose memory your Bar or Bat Mitzvah child will carry forward. The match may share:
- A similar name (Hebrew or family name)
- The same town or region of origin
- A connection to your family's history
- A similar age or birthday
Each match is thoughtfully chosen to create a meaningful bond across generations.
Personal Learning Sessions
This is where the experience becomes truly transformative. Rabbi Brussel offers one-on-one learning sessions with your Bar or Bat Mitzvah child, studying together:
- Jewish thought, history, and ethics
- The historical context of the Holocaust
- The story of the child they're remembering
- What it means to carry forward a memory
These encounters make the celebration more than a ceremony — they become a step into the shared story of the Jewish people.
Receive Your Certificate & Materials
You'll receive a beautiful, personalized package including:
- Official Twinning Certificate with the child's name and details
- Biographical information about the remembered child
- Historical context about their community
- Family history research and discoveries
- Page of Testimony from Yad Vashem
- Photos and documents (when available)
Carry the Memory Forward
On the day of the Bar or Bat Mitzvah, your child acknowledges their twin — speaking their name, telling their story, and committing to remember them.
This is an act of restoration — renewing a broken chain, one story and one soul at a time.
What Makes This Experience Unique
📖 Deep Personal Research
Unlike standard twinning programs, Rabbi Brussel invests significant time researching your family's specific history and the communities where you came from, creating connections that go far beyond a simple name match.
👨🏫 One-on-One Learning
Personal study sessions with an experienced educator and rabbi transform this from a ceremonial gesture into a profound educational and spiritual journey.
🌍 Expertise in Polish-Jewish History
With over 13 years leading educational trips to Poland, Rabbi Brussel brings unparalleled knowledge of Jewish life in Eastern Europe before the Holocaust.
❤️ Personalized Connection
Every twinning is crafted with care and attention, ensuring that the child your family remembers is someone with whom you share a genuine, meaningful connection.
Timeline & What to Expect
Timeline may vary based on research complexity and scheduling. We'll work with you to ensure everything is ready for your celebration.