B'nei Mitzvah
Isabel Philipson
Chayei Sara
Saturday, November 23, 2024
My favorite parts of being Jewish are the food, the community, and celebrating with friends and family. Becoming a Bat Mitzvah means fully joining the Jewish community and taking on new responsibilities. Preparing for my Bat Mitzvah has shown me just how much I enjoy being Jewish. When I was younger, going to Temple was just something I did, but now I understand and appreciate it so much more.
For my Mitzvah Project, I chose to knit hats for the homeless because I love knitting, and I wanted to do something to help others. My Nana, who has been an amazing support in my Jewish life even though she isn’t Jewish, helped me with the project. She taught me to knit and made hats alongside me, and it meant a lot to share this with her.
Looking ahead, I plan to keep learning about and living my Judaism by celebrating Shabbat, observing holidays, and continuing to learn and grow. I also hope to help tutor my sister when she becomes a Bat Mitzvah—and maybe even convince her to go to services!
Recent
Arlo Zeibert
Noach
Saturday, November 2, 2024
My favorite thing about being Jewish is the sense of community. I love the people and the support that surrounds me. It feels comforting to be part of something bigger, where I can trust those around me, celebrate holidays, learn, and just be myself.
Becoming a bar mitzvah means taking on responsibilities and fully becoming part of the community. It’s not just about receiving support; it’s about giving back and contributing to the community in meaningful ways.
While preparing for my bar mitzvah, I discovered that I really enjoy connecting with different people. I had the opportunity to volunteer at Oasis, where I made challah, apple butter, and rugelach for Rosh HaShanah. I chose this project because I enjoy cooking and helping others, but I learned more than just baking skills. I loved spending time talking with the seniors at the center and hearing their stories. I also enjoyed connecting with the madrichim, my teen tutors, and my friends throughout this journey.
Looking ahead, I plan to stay involved in the Jewish community by continuing to attend services, learn, and give back. I’m excited to become a madrich and help others just like I was helped.
Arlo is the son of Marisa and Joe Zeibert, the brother of Mable, and the grandchild of Mickey and Cheryll Lansburgh, and Randy and Audrey Zeibert.
Noah Raczynski
Beresheit
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Studying our religion is important because it helps us understand where we come from, connects us to our faith’s meaningful values, and teaches us through the fascinating stories and history passed down over generations. These stories carry life lessons that are timeless and relevant today.
For my mitzvah project, I volunteered with the Miracle League of Rock Hill, helping kids with special needs play baseball. I chose this cause because I believe everyone should have the chance to play sports, and since I love baseball, it felt right to share that passion with others. It also made me reflect on how lucky I am to do the everyday things I enjoy and helped me feel grateful for that.
I plan to continue my Jewish education by reading the Torah and other sacred texts, going to Hebrew High, and eventually getting confirmed.
Noah is the son of Gabby and James Raczynski, brother to Cameron, and grandson of Marc and Susan Levin.
Aaron Grunwald
Beresheit
Saturday, October 26, 2024
My favorite thing about being Jewish is the community of Jewish kids I get to hang out with. I enjoy celebrating holidays with my Jewish friends, playing sports with them at the sleepaway camp 6 Points, and just laughing and talking with them.
To me, becoming a Bar Mitzvah means that you are between a child and an adult, and you will gradually have more responsibilities. It also means I will have to take ownership of my actions and choices.
I learned in preparing for my Bar Mitzvah that I can set goals and accomplish so much. For my Mitzvah project I volunteered at the Shalom Park Community Garden. I helped pick the produce and label it, so they could donate it to the Jewish Family Services food pantry. I chose this project because I am interested in food pantries, and wanted to learn more about gardening.
As a Jewish adult I plan to keep learning and celebrating holidays with my family and friends. I also will continue to attend services.
My parents are Micheal Grunwald and Elizabeth Ren. I have one sibling, Arabella Grunwald. My grandparents are Linda and Andy Grunwald, and Wen and Lucy Ren.
Joshua Wisotsky
Ki Titzei
Saturday, September 14, 2024
My favorite part of being Jewish is celebrating Shabbat and spending time with my family. For me, becoming a Bar Mitzvah is a significant rite of passage, marking the moment when I take on the responsibilities of Jewish adulthood and embrace the teachings of the Torah.
While preparing for my Bar Mitzvah, I realized that studying isn’t exactly my favorite thing—but I pushed through because I knew how important this milestone is.
For my Mitzvah Project, I volunteered at Oasis, a life enrichment program for seniors that offers physical, intellectual, and social activities. I chose Oasis because I wanted to support those in our community who are often overlooked. I really enjoyed spending time with the members, listening to their stories, and sharing meaningful moments together.
As I continue my journey as a Jewish adult, I plan to regularly attend services, celebrate Jewish holidays, and stay actively involved in our community.
My favorite part of being Jewish is celebrating Shabbat and spending time with my family. For me, becoming a Bar Mitzvah is a significant rite of passage, marking the moment when I take on the responsibilities of Jewish adulthood and embrace the teachings of the Torah.
While preparing for my Bar Mitzvah, I realized that studying isn’t exactly my favorite thing—but I pushed through because I knew how important this milestone is.
For my Mitzvah Project, I volunteered at Oasis, a life enrichment program for seniors that offers physical, intellectual, and social activities. I chose Oasis because I wanted to support those in our community who are often overlooked. I really enjoyed spending time with the members, listening to their stories, and sharing meaningful moments together.
Josh is the son of Joanna and Eric Wisotsky, and the brother of Jared and Evan. He is the proud grandson of Papa Ira and Grandma Marilyn from Matthews, NC, and Papa Phil and Grandma Shirley from Rockville, MD.
Brooke Bleiman
Shoftim
Saturday, September 7, 2024
My favorite thing about being Jewish is that we’re all like one big family/community. Becoming a bat mitzvah means that I will be more respected and that I’ll be a Jewish woman and have new opportunities. Preparing for my bat mitzvah has taught me to prioritize better and be more responsible with my work.
My bat mitzvah project is Toys For Our Troops. My parents started this charity event to help our local military families at Christmas, or whatever holiday they celebrate. Helping our military is very important to me because the children are sacrificing one of their parents if they are fighting for us overseas.
In the future I’d like to go to Temple more and learn more Hebrew as well as going to Israel on my birthright trip.
My parents are Bruce and Brandy Bleiman, my sister is Brittani Bleiman Crady. My grandfather is Arnold Bleiman and he lives in Akron, Ohio. My other grandparents are Larry and Betty Gaiser and they live in Matthews, NC.
Mahalia Esposito
Devarim
Saturday, August 10, 2024
The most meaningful thing about being Jewish to me is that we are all like one big family. There aren’t that many Jews in the world now, so singing, praying, and celebrating with others means a lot to me.
To me becoming a Bat Mitzvah means that you are now a Jewish adult and you can start doing more serious things for the community. Now the Jewish religion and your role in it has been passed down to you.
My Bat Mitzvah project is raising money through a bake sale to buy and donate toys for the Levine Children’s Hospital. I chose it because I want to help children going through rough times and because I love baking!
After my Bat Mitzvah, I will continue to deepen my connection to Judaism by attending Hebrew High and doing more mitzvot like volunteering. I would also like to help tutor other kids preparing for their own B’nei Mitzvahs, helping to set up the next line of Jewish kids.
Lea Carvajal
Chukat
Saturday, July 13, 2024
My favorite part about being Jewish is the food. I love chocolate babka, matzo ball soup and noodle kugel. I especially enjoy making these foods with my mom and grandma. It’s fun learning the recipes that have been passed down throughout my family. In preparing for my Bat Mitzvah, I learned that hard work pays off. I liked learning about Shabbat prayers and knowing how helpful it will be for my future as a Jewish adult.
For my Bat Mitzvah project, I chose to work with the March of Dimes because of how much they helped me and my family when I was born prematurely. My favorite part of helping the March of Dimes was when I was able to co-emcee the March for Babies walk and speak to a large company about the organization and why I was involved.
I’m excited to continue my Jewish studies in Hebrew High and working with the Temple Beth El Religious school students as a Madrichim.
Thank you to all who have supported me to reach this special day.
Aiden Young
Beha'alotcha
Saturday, June 22, 2024
Hannah Young
Beha'alotcha
Saturday, June 22, 2024
Clara Frank
Naso
Saturday, June 15, 2024 (service in Canada)
My favorite part about being Jewish is camp. This summer will be my third year going to Camp Blue Star and it has made the biggest impact on me. I’ve met my best friends while learning more about Judaism. We celebrate Shabbat every Friday night and Saturday morning. Everyone at camp goes to chapel for prayers as well as Shabbat dinner. This is one of my favorite parts of camp because, aside from all of our Jewish campers, we get to teach the non-Jewish counselors about our religion and they enjoy it a lot. At Blue Star we have prayers we sing before and after meals. These aren’t just regular prayers; we make up specific choreography to go with them. We bang on tables, clap, and even yell sometimes (not on Shabbat). I added this because not only is it part of our religion, but it makes the prayers easier and more fun to learn.
Becoming a bat-mitzvah means a lot to me. It means not only becoming an adult, but also learning and trying new things. This will help me become the best person I can be, with even bigger responsibilities.
My Mitzvah Project is making chemo bags for current patients at Levine Cancer Center. My mom was diagnosed with cancer four years ago. Luckily, she is healthy now but she had a hard time during chemotherapy. Some things that helped with her specific symptoms were lip balm, lemon drops, tea bags, fuzzy socks, and encouraging words. These are the types of things we are donating to patients at Levine.
I plan to keep learning Judaism through Hebrew High and hopefully become a madricha to teach younger children more about our amazing people. My parents are Alain Frank and Audrey Afflerbach, my older sister is Sophie Frank, and I have a furry brother named Winston.
Sidney Bish
Bamidbar
Saturday, June 8, 2024
My favorite thing about being Jewish is the holiday traditions we share, such as playing dreidel at Hanukkah time, making matzah ball soup, and ringing noise makers at Purim. Being a Bat Mitzvah means to me that I am trusted with more responsibility and independence, and I get the opportunity to be a bigger part of my community. Preparing for my Bat Mitzvah has shown me that I can find balance when things get challenging. Taking some time each day to work on my Torah portion, Haftarah, and my speeches helped me keep from getting too overwhelmed while also managing school, sports, and life in general.
My mitzvah project was volunteering in organized park cleanups with Shalom Green and Charlotte Mecklenburg Parks and Rec, and visiting parks and greenways with my family on our own to clean and pick up common areas. Taking care of the environment has always been important to me, and this project helped me make a positive impact by caring for spaces that our whole community enjoys.
After my bat mitzvah, I plan to keep being an active participant in our Jewish community. I am considering attending Hebrew High or being a tutor for future b’nei mitzvah students. I will also continue the mitzvah of tikkun olam (repairing the world) by organizing park cleanups over the summer and beyond.
My parents are Jennifer and Michael Bish, and I have a younger brother, Jack. My grandparents are Berna Sorscher, from Flint, MI, and Margaret Bish and Jack Bish from Knox, PA.
Hudson Ader
Bamidbar
Saturday, June 8, 2024
The best thing about being Jewish is the people. I’m still close with my three best friends from Charlotte Jewish Preschool. My family has been in a supper club since I was 6, and I am the last of the group to have a bar mitzvah. I have made friends from religious school, sheva, Camp Mindy, JCC swim team, and JCC interfaith basketball.
To me becoming a bar mitzvah means putting an end to my childhood learning like preschool, Sunday school, Hebrew school and sheva and beginning a Jewish life with more choices of how I meet people and what and how I learn. I plan to join youth groups and hope to travel to meet Jewish teens from all over the United States.
For my mitzvah project, I created the Healing Hearts Cookie Project. Every year, I will bake my mom’s chocolate chip cookies and deliver them to kids who lost a parent to cancer on Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. My mom is living with cancer and if I lost my mom, Mother’s Day would be my worst day. So this is probably their worst day because it reminds them of what they don’t have anymore. This Mother’s Day, I delivered 132 cookies to eleven kids. It was an amazing experience and it reminded me of how small acts of kindness can mean a lot. It made my day to bring a smile to their face. My project is about more than cookies. It is about what these kids and I have in common and how I can help them feel seen. Creating this project for my bar mitzvah gave me a lifelong connection I will continue each year.
After my bar mitzvah, I will continue to practice Judaism and keep and make new Jewish friends. I will continue the mitzvah of the Healing Hearts Cookie Project. I also want to become a madracha to connect with Jewish kids to help them love being Jewish too.
Sasha Erickson
B'chukotai
Saturday, June 1, 2024
I love being Jewish. My favorite thing about being Jewish is the traditions we follow as we celebrate Shabbat and the Jewish Holidays, including lighting Shabbat candles, reading the Haggadah on Passover, eating apples and honey on Rosh Hashanah, and lighting the menorah on Hanukkah. I also love the connection all Jews have to Israel. I am so proud to become a Bat Mitzvah and to be able to continue the traditions of the Jewish People. In preparing for my Bat Mitzvah, I have learned that perseverance and hard work pay off, and I have liked learning more about Shabbat prayers and my Torah Portion.
I chose to support Crittenton for my Mitzvah Project. This important service is over 120 years old and has helped more than 45,000 young mothers, teens, and children in the Charlotte area create better lives for themselves and their families. https://crittentonofnc.org/about-florence-crittenton/
I chose to start a clothing drive among my family and friends to donate to Crittenton to help young mothers and children in need. My mitzvah project helped me to see how lucky I am to have a supportive family that provides me with love and everything I need.
I am excited to see what my next chapter of Jewish life will bring. Thank you to all who have supported me to reach this special day. Sasha is the daughter of Mara and Brian Erickson. She has one younger brother, Ethan, and a Tibetan Terrier named Bebe. She is the granddaughter of Marlene Berger (Nanuet, NY) and Dr. Samuel Berger, may his memory be for a blessing, and Jeanne and Edwin Erickson (Charlotte, NC).
Lillian Yin
B'chukotai
Saturday, June 1, 2024
My favorite thing about being Jewish is that I get to celebrate a ton of holidays that are very different from the other holidays that are celebrated in America. To me becoming a Bat Mitzvah means that I am going to be considered a Jewish adult. Which means I am going to have more responsibilities. In preparing for my Bat Mitzvah, I have learned that I need to manage time better. It took a lot of time to practice my Torah portion and write my speeches, and I had to work hard to keep up with everything on top of my regular responsibilities.
My Mitzvah Project was working with Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation, and I was able to help out with cleaning the greenway, the Senior Games track and field events, and the Fairy Garden Festival. I chose these projects because I like going on the greenway and it is important to help keep it clean for everyone to enjoy and to keep the environment healthy. It was also really fun to see all the seniors running and throwing a discus and getting medals. Some of them were really fast runners! I plan to keep learning about Judaism by attending Hebrew High and attending services.
Hunter Greenberg
Emor
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Katie Ryley
Emor
Saturday, May 18, 2024
My Favorite thing about being Jewish is probably being able to go to temple every Sunday for my Sheva (religious school). While being a member of temple Beth El, I have made so many memories and friends and I have loved it every second of the way. The rabbis and cantors here at Temple Beth El have guided me and my family through our entire journey. To become a bat mitzvah, to me it means officially being able to make my own choices for what I do next for my religion. Personally, I am deciding to go to Hebrew high and become a madrichim. I would love to be a madrichim for little kids. In Sheva, I have learned that the thing I want to do most is get closer to God. Every time someone asks me what I want the most for being Jewish, I always answer with how I want to be super close with God.
My mitzvah project was helping out at local shelters or food kitchens. I did this for my mitzvah project because one of my favorite things to do is to help people in need. A while back, I realized that I have it way better then others do, like WAY better. So, I started helping out others as much as I could from then on. Every chance I would get I would volunteer at food kitchens or shelters.
I plan to keep learning about Judaism by going to Hebrew high. My goal is to become a madrichim, or bat mitzvah tutor. I will also go to the temple for shabbat services, and other services that I would have the chance to attend. To keep living with Judaism, I will always celebrate Jewish holidays, sacred occasions, and traditions with my family and my future family.
Thank you for reading this and attending my bat mitzvah, This is a very special occasion for me and I’m very happy I could celebrate it with you. This means so much to me that I am able to have all the people that are attending today, be attending today. Have an amazing day! I hope you make great memories like I will today.
Nora Amo
Emor
Saturday, May 18, 2024
There are many things that I love about being Jewish but if I had to pick two, my favorite things would be celebrating the holidays with my family and attending Camp Barney every summer. Becoming a Bat Mitzvah for me means growing into adulthood and being responsible for my actions. This whole process of preparing for my Bat Mitzvah has taught me that I can get through challenges life throws at me, like juggling many tasks like sports, school and learning Hebrew by working hard and being dedicated.
For part of my mitzvah project, I volunteered at Magen David Adom at Temple Israel. I helped volunteer at the event by cleaning up, watching kids at the bounce house, etc. It was a nice event and it helped to support Israel by providing them an ambulance during their time of need post October 7th. I plan on doing additional volunteer work this summer as well.
Now that I am a Jewish adult, I plan on continuing to attend Friday Shabbat and I will possibly consider attending Hebrew High. And of course, I will continue celebrating and learning about Judaism as a family by celebrating the holidays and upholding our traditions.
Nora is the daughter of Brooke and Anthony Amo. She has one brother (Mikah) and one younger sister (Lucy). She is the granddaughter of Barb and Steve Frank (Hilton Head, SC) and Penny and Louie Amo (Rome, NY).
Nathan Minchew
Kedoshim
Saturday, May 11, 2024
My favorite part about being Jewish is getting to celebrate our many holidays with my family. My favorite Jewish holiday is Chanukah. I like it because it is a way that we can show each other how much we care for one another through gifts and spending time together. To become a bar mitzvah means to me being able to take part in Jewish traditions on your own like willingly going to services, lighting the Chanukah candles, and fasting on Yom Kippur.
Through preparing for my bar mitzvah, I have learned that I like helping others. My Torah portion has reinforced this by instructing me to not take everything for myself, whether it’s money or food or time, but to always give some to others less fortunate than me.
My parents names are Summer Minchew and Matt Minchew. My sibling’s name is Norah Minchew. My grandparents are Suzanne and Steve Allison of Matthews, NC and Jo and Ed Minchew of Matthews, NC.
Aiden Sherrill
Kedoshim
Saturday, May 11, 2024
My favorite thing about being Jewish is our traditions, the way we celebrate them with our family, and the loving community that has supported me throughout my life. The process of becoming a bar mitzvah has deepened my understanding of Jewish history and the experiences of my ancestors. For me, becoming a bar mitzvah is a stepping stone toward greater responsibilities. Judaism has taught me that in difficult times, our community and the wisdom of our tradition provide answers to life’s big questions and support when I need it most.
For my mitzvah project, I collected food for the Jewish Family Service food pantry. I chose this project because I understand the importance of having a meal, and I recognize that there are people in our community who are in need. The recent events in Israel have reinforced the importance of caring for those in our own community. Moving forward, I plan to continue learning and practicing Jewish traditions, staying connected with the Jewish community, and celebrating Jewish holidays with my family.
Aiden is the son of Lisa and the late Todd (z”l) Sherrill, and the younger brother of Jackson. His grandmother is Harriet Hurlich.
Zachary Althofer
Acharei Mot
Saturday, May 4, 2024
Preparing for my Bar Mitzvah has definitely reinforced that my favorite thing about being Jewish is the community. I have always felt that the Jewish community was close and so supportive and I feel that way even more now. I am excited to become a Bar Mitzvah because it means I’m becoming a man and starting a new chapter of my life as I become an adult in the Jewish community.
Preparing for my Bar Mitzvah has not always been easy, and juggling all the competing things I need to do between school, studying Hebrew, basketball and being with friends has been a challenge. I have learned that being an adult means you are often pulled in different directions, and to have the support of a strong community is important. For my mitzvah project, I wanted to focus on impacting my community in a way that holds special meaning to me. I’ve always been an adventurous person with food and love trying anything new I can. Having access to nutritious food and having the comfort of knowing you don’t have to worry about where your next meal will come from is so important and something I’ve never had to think about. I wanted to help provide that feeling to my community and so I volunteered at Shalom Green helping to grow food for those in need, made sandwiches with Mecklenburg Ministries for the homeless, made 150 snack bags for the boys and girls club with my friend Michael Kahn, made food for Room at the Inn, and organized a food drive, collecting over 478 pounds of food to donate to the Second Harvest Food Bank.
To me, being a Jewish adult means never forgetting to be thankful for all that I have and to make sure I continue to give back to my community.
Zach’s mom and dad are Lauren and Eric Althofer and Zach has two younger brothers, Levi and Hank, as well as his dog Jasper. Zach’s proud grandparents are Neil and Karen Pinsky, who live in Lincolnshire, Illinois and Gerd and Beth Althofer who live in New York City, NY. All mazels can be sent here or here
Ian Greenwald
Acharei Mot
Saturday, May 4, 2024
My favorite part of being Jewish is being a part of a wonderful community where everyone has my back and is kind to me. While becoming a bar mitzvah means that I’m an adult as a Jew, it really means that I’m responsible for learning and acting with greater responsibility.
Through preparing to become a bar mitzvah, I learned that I can accomplish large tasks, even across great distances. For my mitzvah project, I am working for a talent show and performance, volunteering my time to help theater in the Indianapolis area. I love theater and this was a great way to help other people to enjoy the performing arts. In Indianapolis there is a class through my Temple called “D’var Torah,” where you continue to learn about yourself and Judaism. I will continue to learn and participate in the community, celebrating holidays and Jewish life.
Ian is the son of Jodi and Josh Greenwald. His older brother is Max.
