While eighth grade students across America were most likely solving algebra problems and writing essays, students in Pamela Aranov’s class at Cohen Hillel Academy were engaged in a unique journey of learning on Thursday, February 11. The day kicked off with the bar mitzvah of eighth grade student Ilya Yudkovich, followed by a visit by Holocaust survivor Yevgeny Mnushkin, whose wartime experience was translated by his great-niece and Hillel Academy student, Danielle Likterov.

Although the events were not choreographed to happen on the same day, their juxtaposition created an opportunity to absorb the lessons of two lifecycle events in one memorable morning.

“We cherish moments of learning like these at Hillel Academy because they are so genuine and rich and provide the students with indelible memories,” said Ken Schulman, head of school, who celebrated Ilya’s bar mitzvah along with his 22 classmates and family.

Aranov, an eighth grade Hebrew and Jewish Studies teacher at Hillel Academy, worked with Ilya for four months to prepare him for his bar mitzvah. She beamed with pride when she talked about how wonderfully he recited his three aliyot and D’Var
Torah and participated in the tefillah service. His family, who emigrated from Russia, never dreamed Ilya would mark this milestone as many families in Russia do not celebrate b’nai mitzvah.

Fellow classmates especially enjoyed watching one of their friends recite Torah on a Thursday morning and shared his pride in reaching this milestone.  

“I thought it was great that we all got to celebrate together,” said classmate Michael Katzen.

Nobody was more awestruck than the bar mitzvah boy himself.

“It was so amazing. Everybody supported me and gave me this milestone in my life. I feel special now. I feel mature. I am so happy I was able to do this and read Torah,” Ilya said.

When asked his favorite part, he responded, “The food. I loved the bagels and lox and the chocolate and vanilla cake.”

“It was very warm and very personal,” noted Aranov.

Shortly after the students returned to their classrooms, their life lessons would continue.

They recently returned from a visit to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. Aranov had asked them if they knew any Holocaust survivors. Danielle knew her great-uncle Yevgeny Mnushkin was a Holocaust survivor because he had the numbers on his hand; however even though she considered him like a grandfather, he had never shared the story with her.

That morning, her great-uncle told Danielle Likterov his story and she translated it to her classmates.  

“He talked about his young life growing up in the Ukraine and how his grandfather knew the Nazis were coming but didn’t feel they had to move because he had fought the Germans in World War I. But then he told how after seeing so much destruction, his family realized that they had to leave quickly. He got a job and they moved to Poland,” said Danielle who was sad to learn details of her uncle’s past.

“He told us that the Nazis put up a billboard to tell Jews to meet on a certain day and bring all their belongings. They then surrounded them with dogs and made them walk to a supermarket where they lined them up and shot them,” said Danielle, who reported that her great-uncle said that he lost his parents and other family members during that time. She reported that he shared a story about an aunt who paid a Polish family to hide her and her children for over a year. However, when the aunt ran out of money, they were killed.

“I was ready to cry. I never expected to hear that,” said Danielle.

Classmate Michael Katzen was moved by the experience.

“It was really interesting to hear a first-hand experience. It was different than visiting the Holocaust Museum.” He also noted that celebrating Ilya’s Bar Mitzvah at Hillel Academy was also special.

“It was great to have a bar mitzvah in a place where you feel comfortable. It was laidback and different…in a good way,” Katzen said. At the end of the day, just like other eighth graders, the 22 Hillel Academy students packed their backpacks with books, but they carried home something much deeper in their hearts.