Meet this month’s Bat Mitzvah Star!

Kinneret

Bat Mitzvah: Shevat 30, 5773  ~ February 10, 2013

Meet Kinneret, a YALDAH reader from Missouri who is celebrating her Bat Mitzvah this month. The plans for her Bat Mitzvah celebration include a Rosh Chodesh (beginning of the month) breakfast brunch with an ice cream bar, as well as a photo booth for family and friends to take pictures together.

As fun as ice cream and photos are, Kinneret says she’s most looking forward to “seeing everyone I know and love all sitting in front of me.” Kinneret is very excited for the opportunity to see friends and family who she doesn’t get to see very often. “When else could I get all of those people together?”

Since her Bat Mitzvah is on Rosh Chodesh Adar, Kinneret chose a mitzvah project connected to Purim. She is going to make mishloach manot  (gifts of food) baskets for Tomchei Shabbos, an organization that provides kosher food for needy families in the Jewish community. This project combines two of the mitzvos of Purim: Mishloach Manot — sending gifts of food — and Matanos L’Evyonim — giving gifts to the poor. “I chose this project because I wanted to help less fortunate families in a way that I hope will bring them happiness and joy,” Kinneret said.

Kinneret prepared for her Bat Mitzvah by doing an incredible amount of learning. “I studied with a wonderful woman named Abby who helped me learn Shacharit (the morning prayer), Hallel (a special prayer for Rosh Chodesh), and the Torah portion,” she said. “Now, I can quote parts of my parsha (Torah portion) without even looking at it. I can hardly believe it!”

Kinneret knows that a Bat Mitzvah is a meaningful milestone. She says that to her, “becoming a Bat Mitzvah means starting to hold a place in my Jewish community.”

Mazel Tov, Kinneret! May your Bat Mitzvah be the beginning of a lifelong Jewish journey.

 

Want to be featured as a YALDAH Bat Mitzvah Star? Click here to find out more and book your date!