A.H.A.V.A.
Bar & Bat Mitzvah Projects
Girls who have made a difference!
Read about some of the most amazing girls and their special Bat Mitzvah project!
Jordana
Jordana
Alexa
January 2016
This is Jordana, bat mitzvah girl, readathon participant, author and A.H.A.V.A. fundraiser! Jordana is raising money for A.H.A.V.A., and all profits from her Aliyah memoir, Are We in the Air?! ?, will go towards promoting English literacy in Israel through A.H.A.V.A.. Her memoir chronicles her journey from being a four-year-old, American girl about to move to Israel with her family and going through her acclimation process to today, as an integrated, Israeli bat mitzvah girl.
Jordana's love of reading is truly in her blood: she comes from a long line of librarians, writers, and editors who have all influenced her, along with her wonderful teachers at A.H.A.V.A., to realize the importance of reading and writing in English, even in Israel, and keep up with her skills. Every year, Jordana is very excited to participate in A.H.A.V.A.’s Readathon and is usually one of the top readers, too!
It was unfortunate, but propitious timing, that on the day after this past year’s Readathon, shortly before Jordana turned eleven and had to start thinking about a bat mitzvah project, her aunt Beth passed away at a young age. Aunt Beth was a librarian and gifted creative writer who had always influenced
Jordana to love books, and with the Readathon still fresh in her mind, it seemed like the perfect way to both honor Aunt Beth’s memory and to raise money for a cause both near and dear to Jordana’s heart and Aunt Beth’s, as well as a local one that had benefited Jordana personally, was right there in front of her. Visit Jordana's gofundme page to see her progress!
Alexa
May 30, 2015
Alexa, a Bat Mitzvah from Ardsley, New York has chosen to collect books for A.H.A.V.A.'s students. When Barnes and Noble heard of her project - they donated some books as well!!
How will Alexa's books encourage Israeli children to read and learn English? These books will build and expand libraries and be used as prizes for top readers in our Read-a-thon.
Today Alexa loves reading but it wasn't always that way. She had to work very hard to get to her grade level. Reading is a double enjoyment for Alexa. Aside from the eternal fun of reading, Alexa enjoys knowing that she is a good reader because of the challenge she overcame. She really empathizes with Israeli readers who are challenged to read English and improve their reading skills.
Alexa's favorite books as a child were "Goodnight Moon", "Where do kisses come from", Eric Carle books and "Fancy Nancy" books. Nowadays she enjoys realistic fiction such as "They Cage The Animals At Night", "So B. It", "Counting By 7's", and "Out Of My Mind".
Alexa has never visited Israel but she hopes to one day. In preparing for her Bat Mitzvah and getting her Jewish education, she has become more connected to Judaism and Jewish culture, heritage, and traditions. By learning about Israel, Alexa feels more connected to all of these things, which have become such an important part of who we are.
Alexa loves children, and comes from a family of educators. She herself hopes to be a teacher, just like the many amazing teachers who helped her. By supporting A.H.A.V.A. and collecting books, Alexa hopes to combine her love of reading, children and education with support of Israel to make the perfect Bat Mitzvah project.
"I feel reading is so important and if I can help one child, that will make a big difference. "
January 2015
Layne, a Bat Mitzvah from New York, chose to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah at the 2015 Read-a-thon launch.
Layne brought books to donate. Some were donated to libraries of schools that participated in the Read-a-thon and some were given as prizes to readers in the Read-a-thon. The books were a great hit and the kids loved them!
Layne
2013
Young American readaholics have joined Maaleh Adumim schoolchildren by taking part in a charity readathon promoting English literacy.
Last year, Californian Bat Mitzvah girl Cayla became the first American child to join the readathon. This year, Sarah from New Jersey is doing the same. She said: "I wanted to do a special Chessed (charity) project for my Bat Mitzvah that involved my love of reading."
In Washington, 11 year old twins Lucy and Emma, as well as their younger brother Asher (9) are also taking part. Their mother Beth explained: "Since the kids are avid readers, the readathon is a great match for our family. My husband and I are always very proud when our children contribute to others."
Daniel, father of Noam (6) from New Jersey said: "I am pleased that Noam is participating - it shows him how he can use an interest and passion of his to help others and to strengthen his connection to Israel."
Sarah
Cayla
Bat mitzvah girl joins Israeli school children for charity readathon
29.1.2012
Californian school girl Cayla marked her Bat Mitzvah celebrations by becoming a guest participant in a charity readathon promoting English literacy to school children in Israel.
The annual read-a-thon is the annual flagship event of Israeli NGO A.H.A.V.A. It attracts hundreds of local school children who are sponsored to read as many English books as they can over the course of a month. 7th grader Cayla, was the first ever participant in the readathon to take part from abroad.
Cayla convinced three other friends to join the initiative. She said: "One of the reasons I chose to support A.H.A.V.A. is because reading makes me happy, and I want to share my happiness with everyone else. This project seems like the perfect way for me to give back to the Jewish community."
Cayla's mother added: "This project is perfect for Cayla because she is such an avid reader and she really loves the opportunity to work with children. It’s also great to promote literacy in all languages."
Director of A.H.A.V.A Gaila Cohen Morrison said: “I think that it is wonderful that someone so young is willing to spend her time and effort to help kids who love so far away. The money Cayla raises will go towards our Scholarship Fund for children who can’t afford the extra English tuition that would help them so much.”
Gaila added: “English is crucial for children in order to learn well at school. It opens up a world of wider reading, and opens up opportunities for them later on in life. ”
This year A.H.A.V.A is also hoping to raise awareness about the issue of English literacy by creating what is expected to be the biggest book ever made in Israel. “The Giant’s Book” stands two metres tall by one metre wide, and is about a giant who can’t find a book big enough to read. Children’s author and illustrator Netanel Epstein has made the front cover for the book. School children participating in this year’s read-a-thon have all been given words to write and design. Cayla has also been given a word to design which will also feature in the giant book which will be displayed in schools after the read-a-thon is completed.