Jewish activists have opened the World Bat Mitzva Center near Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem. The center was first used last week by Tamar Klein, a young woman from New York.
Center head Chaim Silberstein expressed hope that thousands of other young women would hold their Bat Mitzva ceremonies in Bethlehem. Rachel’s Tomb is among Israel’s holiest sites, he said. Silberstein expressed hope that the center would be of use to the Jewish people, and would serve to protect Rachel’s Tomb as well.