My favorite thing about being Jewish is celebrating the holidays with my family and the eating special foods. I LOVE potato latkas with applesauce, hamantaschen, and matzah ball soup! I am proud of being Jewish because I am part of a community and it also makes me feel unique in places where I am one of the only Jews. By completing my Bat Mitzvah, I am considered an adult in the Jewish community. As a Jewish adult, I think I would be most interested in being involved in social justice or community service projects. I have been a Girl Scout since kindergarten and love being involved in things that help others because it makes me feel good that I have helped someone.

For my Mitzvah Project I tried out two different places so I could experience the type of programs that are out there. I spent time with senior citizens at the JCC Oasis group by serving them meals, helping with an exercise class, setting up activities, and just talking with them. I also spent time in the classroom for special needs middle school kids at my school (SAC kids) and discovered how much I enjoyed spending time with them and helping them raise money for their sister classroom in Africa. For my birthday, I celebrated with the SAC kids (my new friends) and brought a few of my other friends along to share cupcakes and conversation. Some kids were afraid of the SAC kids because they were different, but by bringing them together over food to celebrate, it broke the ice for them to meet and get to know them like I do.

Maeli is the daughter of Ron and Melissa Zhiss and sister to Parker Zhiss. She is the granddaughter of Gene and Geri Zhiss and Art and Jane Hayes of Decatur, Michigan. Send messages of Mazel Tovs.