I may be doing my Bat Mitzvah for my Mom, but I don’t know all that I’m going to get out of it for me. By going to Religious School and Sheva, I have learned about Judaism, gotten better at Jewish prayers, and learned what our prayers mean. Now that I will be a Jewish adult I will continue to come to Shabbat and holy day services, and continue my religious education in Sheva and Hebrew High. My friends at school ask me to chant prayers, and I kind of like being able to share what’s different about us with them. I will continue to do that, and answer other questions and talk about Judaism when asked. I like being Jewish because I like being different and I am proud of it.

For my mitzvah project I volunteered at Operation Sandwich. Operation Sandwich is an organization that helps the homeless. I made and delivered sandwiches and passed out drinks for the homeless. I chose Operation Sandwich because I feel bad about the way that they live. Seeing their faces light up when I gave them a drink brought a smile to my face. This made me realize how something so simple like a sandwich or drink can make a difference in someone’s life. I fulfilled the mitzvah of caring for the poor by helping out at Operation Sandwich.

Hanna is the daughter of Jackie Barker of Charlotte, North Carolina and Paul Barker of Waxhaw, North Carolina. Hanna is the granddaughter of Margie and Ben Liebstein of Charlotte, North Carolina and Mrs. Nancy Barker and the late Roger Barker of Winston Salem, North Carolina. Hanna is the great granddaughter of Mrs. Shirley Keller of Pineville, North Carolina. Hanna is the sibling of Cameron Barker (age 16) and step-sibling of Natalie and Noah Arita (ages 13 and 18).
Words of mazel tov can be sent to jackie@bennettallen.com.