When Liraz Shmueli ran with her mother and brother to the shelter near their home in Beit Shemesh, she never imagined this is how her bat mitzvah day would look. Moments after the door to the shelter closed, they heard a powerful explosion. The missile struck a nearby street, killing nine residents; the family’s home was partially damaged, with the worst destruction in Liraz’s room — the window shattered, and her television, computer and games were ruined. Her celebration was canceled.
Liraz enters her alternative bat mitzvah celebration at the Jerusalem hotel where she and her family were evacuated
Like many other families from Beit Shemesh, the Shmuelis were evacuated to a hotel in Jerusalem. “When the sirens began, we understood the event might not happen, but we didn’t realize how bad it would get,” said her mother, Revital. “In the end, I had to tell Liraz we were canceling. It was hard for her because she had been waiting for it for a long time, but she had no choice and understood the situation.”
The original event had been planned at a hall in Beit Shemesh, with around 70 to 100 family members and friends. “I had already canceled everything — the venue, the DJ and the photographer. They even refunded my deposit. I didn’t think we would celebrate at all anytime soon.”
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Liraz is surprised by the alternative bat mitzvah event organized for her
(Photo: Courtesy of the family)
But staff from the Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh municipalities, along with volunteers at the hotel where the family was staying, had other plans. Shortly after learning about the canceled bat mitzvah, they organized an alternative celebration. Volunteers arranged makeup for the birthday girl and her relatives, others set up a sweets table, and they even found a DJ — all as a complete surprise for Liraz.
“I was shocked in the best way,” said the 12-year-old bat mitzvah girl. “I thought there would be something small with a few friends, not something this big with a photographer, a DJ, sweets and balloons. It was an amazing event. I’ll never forget it.”
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Liraz on the dance floor with family, friends and complete strangers
(Photo: Courtesy of the family)
One of the most moving moments came on the dance floor, when Liraz and her family danced with people they had never met — volunteers who had come together to make the celebration happen. “That’s the people of Israel — always wanting to embrace and bring joy, even when it’s strangers,” she said.
“In moments when families are dealing with fear, loss and uncertainty, small acts of solidarity bring back light,” said Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, who also praised the initiative. “This is the Jerusalem spirit — a community that comes together in its most difficult moments.”
First published: 12:06, 03.18.26