My favorite thing about being Jewish is learning about the history of Judaism and celebrating the religious holidays. My favorite holiday is Hanukkah because I enjoy lighting the candles each night and reciting the prayers. I also love the delicious foods especially latkes and jelly doughnuts!

Becoming a Bat Mitzvah means that I am an adult in the Jewish community.  As a result, I will take on more responsibilities and further my Judaic studies. I am looking forward to learning more about Jewish history and growing my ability to read Hebrew. While on my journey to becoming a Bat Mitzvah, I have learned a lot about myself. I have learned the meaning and value of hard work. I learned that through study and preparation, I can read Hebrew. I have also learned that as a member of the Jewish community, it is a mitzvah to help others that may be less fortunate than me.

For my Mitzvah Project, I decided to help the homeless. I was inspired to do this after participating in the “Walk in My Shoes” Girl Scout event, where I experienced what members of the homeless community in Charlotte, North Carolina have to go through in order to survive. To help make a difference, I started a club at Community House Middle School called “The Homeless Helpers Club.” At this club, that meets weekly, my friends and I make sandwiches to donate to The Urban Ministries Center to help the homeless not go hungry. We also make cards to give to the homeless, in order to provide some inspirational and kind words to help them work through their situation. I also volunteered at Temple Beth El’s Mitzvah Day. During this event, my family and I volunteered to help organize the food pantry. We also made bags of food to help the students that attend The Freedom School over the summer. Each bag, filled with the ingredients for a dinner, went home with one of the summer camp kids. The Freedom School is a camp for children that are less fortunate. These students attend camp at Temple Beth El and have the opportunity to continue their learning while making new friends. The reasons why I decided to do these projects is because I love to help people and I want to make a difference in the world. I believe that everyone deserves to have the necessities in life, like shelter, plenty of food, and some warm, quality clothing. Through this project I have learned that many people may not be as lucky as I am. I am blessed to have a warm home, plenty of food, clothing, books and materials for school, electronics, and money. I have learned that I should appreciate what I have.

After my Bat Mitzvah, I plan to continue my studies by going to Sheva, attending services and become an active member of the Temple. I would like to help future Bar and Bat Mitzvah students with their preparations and I would like to continue helping the less fortunate by donating food to the food pantry or by volunteering at Urban Ministries.

Emma Paige is the daughter of Barry and Danielle Miller. She is the granddaughter of Bernie and Carol Miller of Monroe Township, New Jersey; granddaughter of the late, Andrea Quartararo, of Reston, Virginia; and grand niece of Jim and Alicia Bendernagel of Reston, Virginia. Send notes of congratulations.