JULIA BELLA
My Bat Mitzvah Projects
My Bat Mitzvah Projects are all about different ways of giving back to my community. Here are some of the projects that I have undertaken, as I prepare for my Bat Mitzvah.
The Children's Medical Center Plano is close to my heart. I have been donating books to its library since I was a little girl. For my past Birthday parties, I would ask my guests to bring a book in lieu of a gift, so that I could donate them to the library. During the Pandemic, I was unable to continue my tradition of donating books. However, post Pandemic I've been able to collect many books to donate. On this day, I was able to donate a total of 136 books to their library.
With the help of many of my friends, we were able to feed over 500 people in need. This year my parents and I invited many of my friends and their families to our home for Shabbat. Before we started our Shabbat dinner, we decorated lunch bags and packed meals to donate to Tango Charites (Feed The City). It was such a fun and rewarding experience together with my friends to participate in this charity. https://www.tangocharities.org
With Nick Marino, Director of Social Change
With my grandparents who helped me a lot with my project.
I have a love for fashion, and wanted to do a charity involving clothes. So, with the help from Yael Vanessa Lewin (my Bat-Mitzvah Club Teacher), I was able to be part of an amazing fundraising event called "The Shabbat Project". There, I was able to sell girls' clothing from sizes of 3 months to 14 years old. There was no price tag attached to the clothes, and one could donate what they felt was appropriate. In addition, the clothing that did not get sold was donated to a child in need through Congregation Ohr Hatorah. I was able to rasie $1,718 with 100% of the proceeds going to the Lema'an Achai's Emergency Campaign Iron Sword 2023 benefiting IDF soldiers; for helmets, ceramic vests, and other protective gear for unit 9306 Pluga Aleph of reserve combat fighters called to protect the Jewish People!
My family and I have been donating to the Dallas International Street Church (DISC Ministries) for many years. This year we made one of the biggest toy donations to the church to help make a special holiday season for those kids in need.
I'm a member of Temple Emanu-El's madrichim; in which I help care for the younger kids in the Early Childhood Education program. I donated an assortment of art materials for the kids to use, because I know how important it is to have the right supplies for "arts and crafts time".
The Prom Closet is a charity created to provide a unique shopping experience for young ladies who because of finances, will be unable to attend prom. They accept donated dresses, shoes, wraps, jewelry, handbags, and other accessories. The only requirement is that the girls must be present to select their dresses and accessories. This past December, I donated 10 dresses to help this amazing cause. In addition, I plan to donate many more dresses next Spring before Prom Season.