GIVE A MITZVAH, DO A MITZVAH
Mason Billig tutors younger kids in mathematics Mason Billig is a seventhgrade student at the Jewish Day School who became a bar mitzvah on May 21 at Temple Beth El in Allentown. Mason is a sports enthusiast who loves football and baseball. He pitches and plays third base in the South Parkland baseball program. He is a wonderful and patient big brother to his three younger siblings. Mason and his mother, Tracey,
spent time thinking about a mitzvah project and conferred with Amy Golding, head of school at JDS. She suggested Mason become a tutor, since he is good at math and terrific with younger students. “Mason loves math,” Tracey said. “He’s great with it. It’s a natural thing for him.” Mason said, “I’m tutoring first and second graders for an hour after school every Tuesday. They are really cute, and they struggle with addition and subtraction. I love to
be the math teacher helper. There is a small group of children who need help, and I sit with them one on one and explain the concepts. I encourage them to keep trying.” Tracey and Mason’s dad, Jason, said they’re proud of Mason becoming a bar mitzvah. They said he worked hard this past year, studying weekly, playing sports, being active in school activities and never complaining about his busy schedule. They are proud of everything he has
achieved and is yet to achieve. In addition to his mitzvah project, Mason has made his first adult gift of tzedakah (charity) to the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs. For help developing a mitzvah project, contact Abby Trachtman, project coordinator, at abbyt@jflv.org or call her at the Federation office at 610-821-5500.
Alana Magida cares for dogs in the shelter
donation. out the past year; she is for Jewish Needs. Carina and Alana’s dad, ready for adulthood. For help developing a Bruce, say they’re so proud In addition to her mitzmitzvah project, contact of their daughter. She has vah project, Alana has made Abby Trachtman, project codemonstrated not only a her first adult gift of tzedaordinator, at abbyt@jflv.org tremendous capacity for kah (charity) to the Jewish or call her at the Federation caring, they said, but also a Federation of the Lehigh office at 610-821-5500. hofreid_20_009_Hakol Newspaper_ads v2final.pdf 2 2/25/21 10:42 AM strong work ethic throughValley Annual Campaign
Alana Magida, a seventh-grade student at Eyer Middle School, became a bat mitzvah on May 20 at Temple Beth El in Allentown. Alana is on the school’s lacrosse team and student council and in its orchestra. She cares deeply about animals, especially those without a home. For her mitzvah project, she has been volunteering at the Sanctuary at Haafsville, helping to care for dogs until they find a permanent home. The sanctuary is home to both cats and dogs. It is run by volunteers and financed by fundraising efforts, donations and partnerships. “I have been volunteering every Sunday,” Alana said. “We get up very early. My mom takes me and helps there too because I’m too
young to volunteer alone. “I walk dogs, feed them, clean their runs and play with them. I help move supplies around too.” Alana’s mom, Carina Magida, said, “They are wonderful there. They really make sure the animals are well taken care of and healthy. Recently there has been a canine virus going around. Alana had to carefully clean each dog stall, and all the dogs had to be vaccinated. I’m very impressed with how they are organized, and Alana has been loving volunteering there.” Alana is asking community members to donate to the sanctuary. Please check the organization’s website at thesanctuarypa.org for further information or to plan a
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