Co-founders of B'nei Mitzvah Challenge from left to right: Matthew & Natalie Jackson with Sarah Sultman

2020-2021. Who could have predicted it would throw as many hurdles at us as it did? First, we had to cancel 2020’s scheduled trip due to COVID. Then, just as we thought we had everything sorted for 2021, Boris changed “freedom day” and the trip needed to be postponed by two weeks. Logistical challenges like these were not the kind we had in mind for the B’nei Mitzvah Charity Challenge!

Matt, Nat and I set up the B’nei Mitzvah Challenge five years ago. What started off as a conversation in shul one Shabbat morning has now grown into a fully-fledged annual event, and a rite of passage for many twelve- and thirteen- year-olds.  Our vision was and remains simple: to have our b’nei mitzvah youth take on a challenge that pushes them physically and mentally, whilst raising money for great causes personal to them. It is the perfect way to celebrate a coming of age, teaching the youth in our community three important life lessons – to embrace fitness and look after their bodies, to see challenges as opportunities, not barriers, and to think about others, hopefully inspiring them to become the next generation of givers and philanthropists.

And so this year, despite the change of date, the panic of COVID pinging and the constant lateral flow testing, we managed to get sixty-five people on a coach at 5.45 a.m. on Friday July 23rd for the trip up to the Lake District.  As usual, a large contingent from the Mill Hill community was included.

What makes the B’nei Mitzvah Challenge so very special is the sense of community created over the weekend. We have people join us who are Shomrei Shabbat and people joining us who have never experienced a Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat service. Somehow, despite the disparity in religious practice, everyone is respectful and tolerant, and the mood is joyous. There is something unique about singing Lecha Dodi in a basic youth hostel flanked by the Cumbrian fells, with a group of people who are excited to come together with their rucksacks, camel packs and walking poles away from the grey familiarity of London! But perhaps the most moving moments of all come when each child introduces themselves formally to the group before Friday night dinner to tell everyone which charity they are fundraising for and why. Their personal stories and connections to causes are always inspiring and emotional.

This year, our b’nei mitzvah climbed two mountains: St Sunday’s Crag on the Friday afternoon, and then Helvellyn on the Sunday. Helvellyn is often listed as one of the UK’s most beautiful and challenging mountains – the Grade 1 scramble to the summit along Striding Edge is tough, but the views are magnificent and the sense of accomplishment that everyone feels at the top is palpable and contagious. There is nothing better than witnessing a group of kids, many of whom started the weekend questioning why they were there, having the best time, motivating each other and feeling pride in their achievement. It is really extraordinary.

This year we were particularly blessed with the most amazing weather. The sun shone consistently, so, as an added bonus, we were able to swim in the lakes and mess about in the rivers. If that wasn’t enough, we were also joined by Alan Hinkes, OBE. Alan is the world’s most accomplished mountaineer when it comes to conquering the highest peaks – he is one of only a handful of people who have climbed fourteen of the world’s highest mountains above the 8,000 metre “death zone.” He gave the group a talk on Shabbat afternoon about his experiences, and he spent much of the rest of the weekend motivating people and talking about his life.

The B’nei Mitzvah Challenge has also recently been sponsored by Israel Bonds.  Their intrepid representative spoke to the group about the creation and financing of the State of Israel, and the connection our next generation has to the Jewish state. A generous benefactor purchased a bond to each child as a gift, linking them to the State of Israel.

Matt, Nat and I, together with the most amazing group of volunteer helpers (who deserve our huge thanks – we really could not do this without them) have to date seen over 130 B’nei Mitzvah children take part in the challenge, raising over £200,000 for a myriad of wonderful causes.  We can’t wait to add to that total next year!

James Cotsen
United Kingdom