My name is Ivy Daitch. I am thirteen years old and I LOVE goats! I go to Camp Bluestar, and my favorite thing about being Jewish is meeting friends (and goats) that I will know forever because of camp.

Becoming a Bat Mitzvah will mean a lot to me. I will finally be an “adult” religiously and because of all the work I have been doing, I have a greater understanding of my ancestors. While preparing for my Bat Mitzvah, I learned which prayers I like and are meaningful to me and which prayers I hate. I also learned that the right dress is very important and that you really have to go chhhhuuuuh when saying the kaf vowel or else it is completely wrong.

For my Mitzvah project my friend Sofia and I (she is becoming a Bat Mitzvah later this year) had a bake sale and raised money to donate to the Levine Children’s Hospital, Hurricane Harvey relief, and money to get supplies to make some hats for the kids at the hospital. We also volunteered at the Ronald McDonald house and played many games of bingo for the families staying there, with prizes and everything! I will continue to build on my Judaism by going to camp, and celebrating the holidays (especially Hanukkah).

Ivy is the daughter of Jessica and Matthew Daitch. She is the sister of Logan Daitch. Her dog’s name is Brandi and her guinea pig’s name is Smores. She is the granddaughter of Shelly Koslowe of Charlotte, NC and Paul and Marilyn Daitch, who split their time between New Jersey and Florida. Notes of mazel tov can be sent to Jessica.