My favorite thing about being Jewish is the community – that everyone helps each other and lifts each other up. As I have gone through the bat mitzvah process, including going to services and learning prayers, I have felt more and more a part of this community and able to participate in services. In preparing to become a bat mitzvah, I have learned that doing a little bit of work each day can add up and create something wonderful.

For my mitzvah project, I have been volunteering with the Charlotte Symphony Guild musical petting zoo, helping children of all ages and backgrounds learn to play brass instruments. As a French Horn player, I enjoyed seeing small children’s eyes light up when they first made a sound. As a Jewish adult, I will keep going to services and participating in this community.

Anneke is the daughter of Karen and Kevin Lewis. She is the sister of Saskia Lewis. She is the granddaughter of Dan and Linda Lewis of Seattle WA, Linda Lewis and Frank Arms of Corvallis OR, and Bob and Joyce Beck of Fort Worth TX. Send notes of Mazal Tov.