My favorite thing about being Jewish is the food. On different holidays we have different foods. For example, on Passover, we have matzo ball soup, charoset, and grape juice, and for Chanukah we have gelt, latkes, and so much more. To me, becoming a Bat Mitzvah means starting a new journey and making my own decisions involving Judaism and the way I choose to express it in my life. In preparing for my Bat Mitzvah, I learned that I know more about Judaism than I thought.

My mitzvah project was helping out with children and teens with mental disabilities through an organization called Friendship Circle. I chose this organization because I love children, and I had never worked with children with disabilities. We did many different activities like performing improv at the Acting Out studio and making pottery at the Charlotte Jewish Preschool. I learned about different mental disabilities including autism and Asperger’s, cerebral palsy, and Down Syndrome. We talked about the differences in the disabilities, and how people may act differently when triggered. I enjoyed this project a lot because we really got to interact with the teens and do fun activities with them.

Throughout my journey as a Jewish adult, I will continue to go to Jewish summer camp, and I will also work as a madricha in the religious school to help other kids learn about Judaism.

Toryn is the daughter of Matthew Nichols and Katrina Burton Nichols. She is the sister of Kaya and Liya. She is the granddaughter of Eve and Nick Nichols of Lexington, MA, and Katherine and Howard Burton of Brooklyn, NY. Send notes of mazel tov.