Spotlight

AVA WATTS

BAT MITZVAH: OCT. 24, 2020 SYNAGOGUE: BETH ISRAEL-THE WEST TEMPLE CELEBRATION: HER LAKEWOOD BACKYARD

AGE: 14 SCHOOL: HARDING MIDDLE SCHOOL IN LAKEWOOD

Photo courtesy of the Watts family

HOW DID YOU ADAPT YOUR BAT MITZVAH IN RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC?

Ava: Instead of gathering together with friends and family from all over the country in person, we livestreamed the bat mitzvah from our temple and hosted a small, local party in our backyard.

WHAT WAS THE BEST PART OF THE DAY?

Ava: The best part of the day was the feeling of accomplishment when the ceremony was complete.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER YOUNG ADULTS PREPARING FOR THEIR B’NAI MITZVAH?

Ava: The amount of preparation it takes to get ready for your bar/bat mitzvah might seem overwhelming, but one day, when it’s all over, you’ll look back on it and pat yourself on the back. It will be something you can look back on and feel a sense of accomplishment for.

Becky Watts

“The feeling of pride we experienced over Ava’s incredible, poised, beautiful reading and interpretation of her Torah portion and leading of the service is something we will never forget. Our hearts overflowed with joy and love.”

-Becky Watts, mother