When I had my bat mitzvah, I was very inspired by knowing that I was then a young lady. I knew that since I was 12, I would have to take on a lot more responsibility, and my parents would expect more from me. I learned a great deal about honoring my parents. Since them I have been more respectful toward them. I also see the reasons why they do things for me. When then they do things that I don’t like, I know it’s good for me. After me bat mitzvah I had a new outlook on the world.
The theme of my bat mitzvah was birds, because “Feige” means “bird” in Yiddish. There was a bird’s nest in the middle of each table and blue birds inside them. On the food table we put smaller nests and birds. It was all very pretty.
Now that I had that experience, I am very inspired to do the right thing.
Feige Bates lives in Milwaukee and is in 7th grade at Yeshiva Elementary School.
The Coalition for Jewish Learning is the education program of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.