Becoming a Bat Mitzvah means becoming a Jewish adult, with more responsibilities—but also more opportunities. In Sheva, I gained new opinions and learned a lot about becoming a Reform Jewish adult. Now that I am Jewish adult, I am continuing with Hebrew High, being a madricha, and performing mitzvot. I plan on passing on Judaism to my future family. Being Jewish means getting to voice my opinions and beliefs, and to simply be myself.

My Bat Mitzvah project was volunteering at the Jewish Family Services food pantry. I chose this as my Mitzvah Project because I helped out there during Mitzvah Day for the past four years, and I really like it. It is also relevant to my Torah portion about ending famine in Egypt. I gave out food to the food pantry’s clients over the summer. I also set up a neighborhood food drive. I collected and sorted over 1,000 food items, and I put together 150 “Mitzvah Munchkins” bags for a local elementary school. I delivered Rosh Hashanah treats to an assisted living residence. I learned that anyone in the Jewish community who needs help can go to JFS, maybe if you got in a car crash, and couldn’t pay for your groceries, or if you are in a wheelchair and can’t get to the store, or even if you lost your job. They can really help. My overall experience was amazing, and I continue to volunteer there. I fulfilled the mitzvot feeding the needy through my Mitzvah Project.

Abby is the daughter of Tracey and Josh Adams, and the sister of Jessie (age 9). She is the granddaughter of: Josie and Dr. George Adams, of Charlotte, North Carolina; and Sigrid Schatvet, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Charles Schatvet, Jr. of blessed memory.
Please send wishes of mazel tov: abigailrose@mac.com