leah's bat mitzvah

This past weekend I attended the Bat Mitzvah of Leah Sosland. Leah has been a good friend to Change the Truth since the age of ten.

In the Jewish tradition, now that she is 13, Leah has the responsibility to observe the commandments from the Torah. (Not just the 10 Commandments, but also all 613 that are contained in the Torah.)



Also, Leah must now take responsibility for her own deeds and misdeeds.

Modern Judaism emphasizes the obligation to actively work for tikkun olam, the improvement of the world for all humanity. Leah chose Change the Truth as her specific Bat Mitzvah project. She wants to make the world a better place by helping children who have very little. I’m so proud of her for doing so. I’m also very grateful.

Leah is the fifth young person to make the decision to assist the children at St. Mary Kevin Orphanage with funds donated in honor of their Bar or Bat Mitzvah. In the past JJ, Sarah, Sara and Josh have also been moved to help. These teenagers have been responsible for some marked changes in the lives of the kids in Uganda.

It doesn’t get much better than kids helping kids, does it?

At the reception following Leah’s Bat Mitzvah service, those in attendance were introduced to the children Leah is helping. Pictures of the orphans had been carefully placed at the center of each table, along with the jewelry, tie-dyed fabric and banana fiber dolls they have made.



It was heart warming to look around and see the faces of my young Ugandan friends spread all across the room. I have no doubt their beautiful smiles landed in the hearts of some new CTT friends.

Thank you, Leah, for making that possible.