Project Kadima helps with bat mitzvah project

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As Emily Berman’s bat mitzvah neared she began thinking about a meaningful way she could celebrate this milestone in her life.

Berman remembered that when she was younger, one of her favorite places to go for a special occasion was the Build-A-Bear store where she spent many happy hours creating and designing personalized stuffed animals.

When she learned about UJA-Federation of New York’s Give-A-Mitzvah, Do-A-Mitzvah program and the option of making Project Kadima at the Marion & Aaron Gural JCC in Cedarhurst her bat mitzvah initiative, it all clicked for her. The Gural JCC is a partner of the UJA.

“For my mitzvah project I wanted to do something that spoke to me personally,” the Port Washington resident said. “When my parents got divorced I knew that they never wanted me to feel like I was missing out. All parents want what is best for their kids but sometimes it is hard, especially for single parents.”
She chose to work with Project Kadima because it helps support single Jewish parents whose financial and personal struggles often prevent them from easily providing their children with special experiences, such as a Build-A-Bear adventure.

On Feb. 5, Berman’s mitzvah was realized. Eighteen children gathered at the Roosevelt Field Build-A-Bear location where she and her family greeted them with warm, welcoming smiles. She was as excited as they were to be in the colorful, cheerful, bustling shop where each child was able to select a bear or other animal or character.

The kids happily followed the Build-A-Bear representative as he led them through the building process taking advantage of the generous package Berman and her family provided. The children began by inserting the “heart” into their stuffed animal, chose a theme song for it to play and a name. The animal was then stuffed, and an outfit and shoes were picked. The kids also received a personalized birth certificate for their stuffed animal and a special Build-A-Bear knapsack.

“I took a group of Kadima children for a fun day at Build-A-Bear with their parent so that they can have the special memories that they deserve,” Berman said. “I am also going to make a donation to this important program to help fund other meaningful events for the children.”

If you know of a single parent who can benefit from the support and services available through Project Kadima or if you would like to sponsor a Kadima event, please contact Rachayle Deutsch at (516)569-6733 ext. 222 or rachayle.deutsch@guraljcc.org.