My favorite thing about being Jewish is our religion’s emphasis on doing good for our world. Our belief in Tikkun Olam not only means repairing the physical world, but also means standing up for others and for social justice.

When preparing for my Bat Mitzvah, I had to interact with a lot of people I didn’t know before. I learned that the best way for me to be comfortable around people I don’t know very well is to be okay with myself, to feel that my opinions matter, and that it’s okay to share them when I need to.

For my mitzvah project, I worked at Frank Liske Park, removing non-native species of plants to make the park prettier and to promote the growth of native plants. I also volunteered to clean up the outside of a house owned by a local church used for community events and programs. My volunteering helped to make the work easier for the staff at the park and the church, and made those places more enjoyable for the people who visit there.

Now that I am a Jewish adult, I plan to continue to attend services and participate in Jewish traditions with my family. I want to travel to Israel and learn about the people that live there and my Jewish heritage. Also, I will help my little sister Rosie when she starts to prepare for her Bat Mitzvah.

Violet is the daughter of Ross and Deanne Goldberg. She is the sister of Rosie Goldberg. Her grandparents are Marc and Suzie Goldberg of Durham, NC, JoAnn Mixson of Concord, NC, and Jim and Lori Mixson of Great Meadows, NJ. Send messages of Mazel Tovs.