Seen this Teen?

Each month Areyvut will bring you the story of an ordinary teenager doing extraordinary things.  Their stories are inspiring, their actions are great and their commitment is unparalleled.

February 2012

Reecca Shira Ashkenazy 
Rebecca is a 12 year old student in the 7th grade at Yeshiva Har Torah.  She lives in Great Neck, NY with her family.  For her Bat Mitzvah project, Rebecca coordinated and participated in a women's only concert, for women and by women in support of the Kol Neshama organization.  Below Rebecca describes her project in her own words.
 
"Since my passion is singing, acting and dancing, I wanted to do something as my Bat Mitzvah chesed project that would support the performing arts and, in particular Orthodox Women in the performing arts.  Given Kol Isha restrictions, I feel that Orthodox Women should support other Orthodox Women who choose to remain observant yet have the desire to perform and the talent to do so!
 
So, I chose to hold a by women-for women only concert.  I also chose to donate ticket proceeds to Kol Neshama, a U.S. performing arts conservatory for Orthodox girls and women, as they give training to frum women and girls who want to pursue a career in the performing arts and they also produce films that these talented women and girls perform in.  Additionally, my mother and father used some of my Bat Mitzvah gift money to make this event: we rented a large auditorium with a stage (at the Great Neck Arts Center), hired a professional to work the sound system and, after doing a lot of research on the internet together, we decided who we would like to invite and/or hire to perform at the concert.  In total we had 10 'acts' including YU's Central High School for Girls' Choir and singer/songwriters Shaindel Antelis and Elana Greenspan!  I was the MC and sang Matisyahu's 'One Day' as the last number.  It was awesome!
 
We raised over $1,000 for Kol Neshama and two of the performers at the event sold a lot of copies of their CDs!  Producing the concert took my mother and I many, many hours of work over many, many months!!  I created the promotional flyer for the concert which we then e-mailed to shuls and yeshivas in the tri-state area so that they could post it and/or publish it in ther newsletters.  I also posted the flyer all over Great Neck - in kosher restaurants, schools, shuls, etc.  In the end about 75 people came to the concert!
 
After one of the artists heard me sing at the concert, she recommended that I be invited to sing at ATARA's (the Arts & Torah Association for Religious Artists) upcoming Women in the Arts Conference this February 12th in NYC.  I was asked and am so excited to now be a part of this fundraising event.  People should definitely go on ATARA's website to get information about attending this event and supporting ATARA in general.  Also, I would love for people to go to the websites for Kol Neshama, Shaindel Antelis (amazing singer/songwriter!) and Elana Greenspan (funny singer/songwriter!) to help support them by donating money or buying their CD's or videos."
 
For more information about the upcoming concert that Rebecca will be taking part in, please click here. 
   

At a Glance 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 Rebecca Shira Ashkenazy
Age: 12  
 

Hometown: Great Neck, NY
 
Year of mitzvah project: 2011
 
Mitzvah project: Developed a performing arts concert for women-by women in support of Kol Neshama 

Favorite Movie: Ahhh!  Too many!

Favorite food: Sushi
 
Favorite singer/musical group: Shaindel Antelis and Demi Lovato

Best thing about giving back to the community: "The best thing about doing chesed is that you feel awesome about yourself AND about what you're doing."
 
Three things to bring with you to a deserted island: Mac, phone and a Kindle
 
Motto you live by: "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain."

Role model: Shaindel Antelis  

Do you know a teen who created an amazing Bar or Bat Mitzvah project?


Do you know a teen that is giving back and making a real impact in your community?


Do you know a teen that is ready, willing and able to pitch in whenever needed?


Now is you chance to do something for them!  Nominate a special teen in your life today to be an Areyvut Mitzvah Ambassador.  Mitzvah Ambassadors will speak with children and teenagers about the programs and projects they have been involved with in the hopes of inspiring others to do the same.  Each Mitzvah Ambassador will be featured on the Areyvut website as well as our e-Newsletter.


Email your nominee's story to sharon@areyvut.org.