Danielle Aires<\/strong><\/p>\n Danielle Aires believes one of the most important things to do as a Jewish girl becoming a woman on her Bat Mitzvah is chesed, \u201cto change someone else\u2019s life\u201d. So, for her Bat Mitzvah she collected all recyclable items\u00a0to give to Hugo\u2019s Greenhood team of recyclers, and because she did a challah bake for her Bat Mitzvah, there was plenty. \u201cI started a campaign, \u2018Baking a Difference\u2019, with an ambitious goal of raising enough money to sponsor the challot for the DL Link patients for a year. Just a small gesture of providing a fresh challah can uplift someone\u2019s spirit and feed his neshama, and I wanted to be a part of making that happen. I realise how important it is to just do it, because small things can make a big difference.\u00a0Like you train your muscles to get strong, chesed works the same way. By doing more at an early age, it leads to a good habit for the rest of your life.\u201d<\/p>\n https:\/\/greenhood.co.za<\/a> and www.dllink.co.za<\/a> to get involved<\/strong><\/p>\n Shai Bome<\/strong><\/p>\n Shai Bome wanted to add meaning to his Bar Mitzvah for both himself and his parents by giving back. \u201cI was fortunate to have a special Bar Mitzvah celebration, and I didn\u2019t want it to be all about getting without giving back to others.\u201d Shai chose to assist Yad Aharon with their end of the year toiletry collection for kids going on camp who otherwise couldn\u2019t necessarily afford toiletries. \u201cWith the permission of my principal at Hirsh Lyons, I canvassed at school, on parent\u2019s groups, Facebook, and Whatsapp, asking people for support. It was also a good way of getting others involved.\u201d For Shai, it felt good knowing that doing a small deed made a big impact on other kids. \u201cIt is important for the youth to give back to the community any which way we can. I hope that I set an example for other barmi boys. I want them to see that even the smallest mitzvah can make an impact on other people\u2019s lives \u2013 and that if you try to do something you can always make it happen.\u201d<\/p>\n www.yadaharon.co.za<\/a> to get involved<\/strong><\/p>\n Jamie Janks<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cMy parents have always taught me about giving to those less fortunate, so I wanted to make the mitzvah<\/em> in my Bar Mitzvah more meaningful.\u201d Jamie decided to partner with Souper Troopers, an organisation that runs events every month for people living on the streets, to uplift them and give them hope and dignity. Souper Troopers were holding a 4th birthday celebration and wanted to give each attendee a pack containing a blanket, beanie, scarf, socks, and toiletries \u2013 and Jamie wanted to collect as much of these items as possible.<\/p>\n Using Facebook, his personal network, and giving a speech at his school assembly, Jamie spread the word and the donations began to roll in. \u201cIn the end, we managed to donate 50 complete packs! We also gave an additional 50 scarves, 50 beanies, and 50 pairs of socks. Souper Troopers got awesome donations directly and at the event they had 600 completed packs that were handed out. People were so generous, and it was awesome how everyone supported and made such an effort.\u201d To top it off, Jamie went to the birthday event and \u201cthe energy was electric\u201d. \u201cThere was food, cake, hot chocolate, they gave each other haircuts, and they had live entertainment from Nik Rabinowitz and Good Luck; everyone was laughing and dancing. It felt so good to know that at least 50 people will be warmer this winter. I saw how easy it is to make a difference. We are the future of this country and we need to look after each other and be kind. I realised how much I take for granted. And that I should take what I have and try to help others with it.\u201d<\/p>\n soupertroopers.org<\/a> to get involved<\/strong><\/p>\n Noa Nerwich <\/strong><\/p>\n Noa Nerwich had a street party for her Bat Mitzvah, and the idea that she would be out on the street enjoying her celebration gave her pause to consider the many girls her age who call the streets their home. Noa decided to partner with Kids Haven, a shelter for street children or children at risk, to mark her special day and do something impactful to change the lives of these girls. \u201cEach year, as winter approaches, we snuggle into our warm winter PJs and slippers. For the Kids Haven girls, this is an unknown luxury.\u201d Each girl in Noa\u2019s grade was invited to co-host the 22 girls at Noa\u2019s home pyjama party, where they enjoyed manicures and pedicures, pizza, goodies, and love. Each girl was paired with a \u2018buddy\u2019 and asked to prepare a pack for them with pyjamas, slippers, and underwear in their size, to present to them while connecting with them, engaging with them, spoiling them, and essentially hosting them for a night they will remember. Noa also used her network to collect toiletries and supplies for each girl to receive a full goodie bag of toothpaste, toothbrush, water bottles, deodorants, beanies, jewellery, make up, soap, face cloths, chocolate, sanitary pads, warm socks, and a beautiful top. Hot chocolate and additional toiletries were sent back to the haven for the rest of the children there. \u201cWe danced, we sang, we laughed, we played, and, for just one night, we were just girls being girls across divides.\u201d<\/p>\n