To be a Bat Mitzvah means to understand Judaism and prayer through a new and different lens. Going to Bat Mitzvah tutoring has taught me to pay more attention during services and now I have a better understanding of what the prayers mean and why we say them. While preparing for my Bat Mitzvah, I found myself asking a lot of hard and unanswerable questions that everyone had an opinion about. This led me to seeking answers that fit my opinions and my beliefs. My favorite thing about being Jewish is coming together as a congregation to pray. I love going to services and being in a happy and welcoming community surrounded by the people and things I love most.

While preparing for my Bat Mitzvah, I completed multiple service projects including volunteering at McKee Road Elementary School to help with their fall festival and kids’ voting. This was fun for me because I got to help out at my old school and teach kids the importance of voicing their opinion. I also made blankets and toys for the Humane Society’s dogs so they could have fun, new toys to play with and blankets to cuddle with. Another thing I did was help sell bagels to raise money for the Temple Beth El Youth Group. This was important to me because the funds help send kids like me to Jewish Camps for the summer. After completing several Mitzvah projects, I was proud of myself for doing Tikkun Olam and making the world a better place. It felt good to know that I was making a difference in the world and making an impact on others around me.

Shayla is the daughter of Michelle and Andy Siegel, and the sister of Jocelyn. She is the granddaughter of Barbara and David Bender of Reading, PA and Teri and Steve Siegel of Charlotte, NC. Send messages of Mazel Tov.