Saul Maslansky who works for a Photography Studio in NY (specializing in weddings and bar/bat Mitzvahs) volunteered to take this photographs. All the photos of this Bar-Mitzvah featured on this site were taken by him.

<< Sasha with grandmother Emily Rubenshtayn and great-grandmother Rachel "Lola" Yamrom. Both spoke of their excitement and emotion at this important occasion, which has not occurred in their family for several generations, having lived in Communist Russia where it was extremely difficult to observe any aspects of Judaism.

Emily is close with Shabbos House and the Rubin family, as she has been our "babysitter" for seven years now, and has spent so much time in our home.

The family (Grandma Lola, Grandma Emily and Mother Olga, an Aunt and Sasha himself) spoke warmly about how meaningful it is for them to experience this Bar-Mitzvah, especially with the background of having lived under the Communists in the former Soviet Union. Their short words were very touching and a number of students commented how inspired they felt.

Rabbi Israel Rubin of Capital Chabad (and founder of Shabbos House in 1975) noted the uniqueness of this Bar-Mitzvah as it lacked a formal invite sheet and all were welcome. This emphasizes the beauty and importance of the Mitzvah of Ahavas Yisrael, Love of our Fellow Jews, regardless of any differences we may have.
 

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