I did not know what to expect. I had just wrapped 50 Chanukah gifts at my bat mitzvah party in Teaneck and I wanted to give them to children who did not have many toys. My Aunt, Sharon Fishman, who lives in Modiin, suggested that I donate the gifts to a special shelter for women and children who were having a very hard life. My Aunt transported the gifts back to Israel and gave them to the children who were living at Bat Melech. The children at Bat Melech were so appreciative of the gifts that they invited me to come and visit the shelter. When I arrived at Bat Melech a month later, the children and mothers greeted me with such warm and smiley faces. They planned a whole bat mitzvah celebration for me with singing, activities, and snacks. I made a TuB’shvat project with the group and had so much fun. The staff explained to me that even though these children and moms have had a very hard time in their own homes, they were learning how to start a new life at Bat Melech. I hope to visit the children there again on my next trip to Israel.

By Meira Baum