Yoni Teitelbaum Celebrates his Bar Mitzvah at the Kosel with Family and Friends

By Yehudit Garmaise

The Teitlebaums of Boro Park made a beautiful bar mitzvah last Thursday for their beloved son Yoni who has Down Syndrome.

Family and many friends from Camp Simcha, HASC, and elsewhere shared in the simcha at the Kosel in Yerushaylim.

Wanting to add even more simcha to the happy event, Tantzers co-president and founder Zelig Friedman quickly found a few yungerleit who learn at the Mir who were ready to join the dancing, singing, and celebration with Yoni.

While suffering from a difficult childhood illness, Yoni had come to a few of the Tantzers’ liebedig events, but now that he had not only regained his health, BH, but Yoni would be called up to the Torah for the first time, Friedman called some of his contacts at the Mir. 

“Tantzers sent some boys to dance, which was beautiful and gorgeous,” said Baila Teitlebaum, Yoni’s mother. “Everyone who was involved in Yoni’s illness wanted to partake of the simcha now that he has recovered.”

Belev Echad, an Israeli organization, also sent a keyboard player and a few boys to join in the fun.

“Everyone who knew Yoni when he was ill wanted to dance with him in times of happiness and health,” said Mrs. Teitlebaum, who made her son’s bar mitzvah with love.”

“I wanted to celebrate Yoni’s bar mitzvah in Yerushalyim because I wanted it to be something special, meaningful, and different,” Mrs. Teitlebaum said. “A holy child needs a holy place.”

Ten years ago, Friedman was asked to bring some simcha to a wedding that sadly had to be held at a hospital because the mother of the Boro Park kallah was very sick.

That night was what gave Friedman the inspiration to start Tantzers which he runs with Sholi Rosenblum.

“We realized the need for an organization that ensures that the crowd is dancing,” said Friedman who sends volunteers to dance said at the weddings citywide of balei tesvhua, gerim, and the simchas of people who are experiencing illnesses.

Last Thursday at 10:30 am, Yoni’s simcha started outside the Kosel, where he put on his tefillin with a bracha for the first time.

For years, Yoni had been using “pretend” tefillin for years because “he loves to daven,” Mrs. Teitlebaum said with pride. “Davening is one of his favorite things to do.”

After Yoni was called to the Torah, the group moved inside to a nearby room for a kiddush and more music, singing, and dancing, which was led by the bar mitzvah boy.

When asked whether the bar mitzvah boy was surprised to see so many Yidden who came be m’samaech with him, Mrs. Teitlebaum said, “Yoni was thrilled. 

“He loves to dance and sing.”