Siegel’s Bar Mitzvah project aiming to reach further than temple audience
Haddonfield Middle School seventh-grader Jake Siegel could think of many things better than standing in the freezing cold for a half hour after school for three Mondays this month — even studying for his Bar Mitzvah, which is slated to take place at the end of February after a year of diligent study.
“I first started my learning the Torah about a year ago, around March or April. I’m finally on my next-to-last lesson. I’ve taken one every two weeks, every other Thursday,” he said.
But the very reason he’s doing it is to honor a family friend who passed away several months ago after a brave fight against breast cancer. At the age of 40, Marion Kessler left behind not only her husband, David, and three boys: Henry, 12, Abe, 9, and Matthew, 6, but also a deep impression upon Jake. Kessler’s memory is a blessing, and having that blessing upon his head as he completes an important step along his path to manhood seems to be worth the sacrifice.
“Two years ago right before the summer, I heard that one of my mom’s best friends, and my best friends’ mom, had gotten sick with breast cancer,” Siegel explained. “She fought and won the first battle, but this past summer she was re-diagnosed, and in August she passed away.”
Added Sheri Siegel, Jake’s mother, “(Marion) was a dear friend to me over the past 20 years, and was the wife of my husband’s closest childhood friend. Choosing to honor her memory was a no brainer for Jake for his project.”
To complete the requirements for his upcoming ceremony, Jake has to do a mitzvah project. In the Jewish faith, mitzvah can mean either a commandment of the Jewish law, or a meritorious or charitable act. He chose to raise money in Kessler’s honor for a local charity, The Tyanna Foundation, whose mission is to make those suffering from the effects breast cancer more comfortable through all stages of the disease.
“I know my mom didn’t do a project when she was a kid, but I think most temples now require a project. Not necessarily with breast cancer or cancer awareness, but a project that shows some kind of concern,” said Jake.
Jake was scheduled to be selling large pink ribbons outside of Haddonfield Middle and Central Elementary schools on three Monday afternoons: Jan. 7, when the Sun caught up to him and his family, Jan. 14 and, following a one-week break due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, Jan. 28 — all immediately after school when foot traffic involving students, teachers and parents reaches its peak.
The ribbons will be large enough to wrap around trees in residents’ front yards, and Jake’s hope is for those who purchase the ribbons and the Haddonfield community at large to “paint the town pink.”
Suggested donations are in the range of $3-$5, with greater amounts encouraged, and all proceeds are expected to go directly to The Tyanna Foundation, at www.tyanna.org. As a additional enticement, every collection of $3 or more earns the donor a free cookie or baked good.
“I’m grateful that the school is allowing me to raise money out here and grateful for all the support and the help so I can do this. It means a lot to me to be able to do this for her,” said Siegel.
Those who won’t be able to step up to the table outside the elementary/middle school, can participate through The Tyanna Foundation website to buy a ribbon at http://tyanna.org/newjersey/events/paint-the-town-pink/. The Siegels also stated they can hand-deliver a ribbon to someone’s house. For those requests, they ask that you visit [email protected].
