My favorite aspects of Judaism are celebrating the High Holy Days with my family and being part of the greater Jewish Community here at Temple Beth El. I’ve made deep and lasting connections with many of my teachers through my years here at religious school and thoroughly enjoy my time at BBYO and NFTY where I get to hang out with friends while also deepening my religious experiences. Becoming Bat Mitzvah means taking on greater responsibility within the Jewish community and maintaining my commitments through leadership and service. Through my religious school experience I have learned that coming together with my Jewish peers brings me a sense of closeness to the religious and cultural aspects of Judaism, and provides me with a sense of connectedness to God.

I am very fortunate that I have many opportunities to do Mitzvot throughout the year. Through my mom and other adults in my community I have been able to make meal bags that were shipped all over the world to poverty stricken regions, done several volunteer projects with Hearts of the Carolinas, including feeding the needy and wrapping and handing out gifts for the holidays. I have been to Ronald McDonald house on more than one occasion, Friendship Trays, Bright Blessings, even raised and donated money to a local animal rescue.  I look forward to continuing helping those in my community who are less fortunate.

I plan to keep learning about and living Judaism by attending services, and maintaining my involvement in my various youth organizations. I realize as I am halfway through my first year of Madricha how important is to be a good role model for the younger students.

Sofia is the daughter of Hollis and Ulrich Blank. She is the sister of Olivia and granddaughter of Anna and Sigfried Blank of Gundelsdorf, Germany and Peter Schwartz of Tamarac, Florida. Send messages of Mazel Tov to ulrichblank@mac.com.