T. Balaish

April 2009

Timor Balaish 
Timor Balaish is a 16 year old student from Rye, NY.  In 2005 when Timor was 12 years old she embarked on her Bat Mitzvah chesed journey.  Timor decided to make band bracelets in the colors of the Israeli flag, blue and white.  Each bracelet had the quote: "Am Israel Chai" on it.  Timor sold these bracelets to members of her community as well as the larger Jewish community.  The proceeds of the sales were sent to Yad Sarah.  Yad Sarah is a nonprofit organization located in Israel whose mission is to aid the sick, disabled, elderly, isolated and homebound.  The organization is able to accomplish these goals through a variety of services aimed at making home care possible.  Ultimately, Timor raised about $2,500 and still continues to fundraise for Yad Sarah to this day.  In 2006 Timor wrote about her Bat Mitzvah project and earned the third place prize in Areyvut's Bnai Mitzvah Essay Contest.
 
Timor has a tremendous love and connection for Israel.  Since her Bat Mitzvah she has created a video, "My Israel" which shows Israel through her own eyes.  This video invites people to see Israel's unique beauty - a perspective that most may not often get to see.  In creating this video Timor's goal was to raise awareness for Israel, a place she truly loves.  She has shown her video to audiences large and small.
 
 
At a Glance 
Age: 16 years old
 
School: Rye High School
 
Hometown: Rye, NY
 
Year of bar mitzvah project: 2005
 
Mitzvah project: Created "Am Israel Chai" bracelets and sold them to community members - proceeds went to Yad Sarah
 
Favorite movie: The Bourne Identity
 
Favorite food: sushi, peanut butter
 
Favorite musical group: Bob Marley, John Mayer
 
Best thing about giving back to the community: The ability to motivate, stimulate and encourage different students and adults to find something they love to do and provide them with the hope they can reach that ambition.  The ability to share what she loves most with others - her love for Israel.
 
Motto to live by: "Don't let anyone make you feel inferior without your permission." - Eleanor Roosevelt
 
Role models: Her mom