We Grow With Israel: Harper's Bat Mitzvah Project

Another way that Jews showed God they were sorry was by performing acts of charity. For my mitzvah project, I've created a fundraiser for a cause that I hope to keep fighting for even after my bat mitzvah for several years to come. My non-profit is called We Grow with Israel: Lizkor Mishpachteynu: To Remember Our Family. After the attacks of October 7, thousands of homes on kibbutzim were destroyed and hundreds of thousands of Israelis were displaced. I met with Oren, who survived having terrorists in his own house while saving and defending his whole family. Oren is a landscape designer in Israel who is building a therapeutic garden of desert plants and trees on a kibbutz in southern Israel. I am taking steps to fund this garden because my Hebrew name, Hadassah, means willow tree. Although nature causes can be overlooked, especially with all the need in Israel right now, a small bit of nature like a tree can help someone find peace. I think a garden where people can gather and reflect about October 7 and think about all the future growth that Israel has to offer is a beautiful and worthwhile project. Trees will be planted in memory and named especially for the victims of October 7th. I hope that many of you will be inspired to give to this initiative and make a difference in this project.