Leila Ahava Sooferi

A smiling girl with long dark hair holds up a colorful painting showing a vase with hearts and flowers—an inspiring example for bat mitzvah project ideas. She wears a light pink top and a pink scrunchie on her wrist.

I chose Sharsheret as my B’nai Mitzvah project because breast cancer has personally affected my family. I lost my grandmother to breast cancer, and my mom also went through preventative breast cancer surgery. I still remember the anxiety I felt during that time when my mom wasn’t feeling well and we didn’t know what was going on. It was a scary and uncertain time for me as a kid. Because of that experience, I feel a strong connection to families who are dealing with breast or ovarian cancer. Through my project, I want to support Sharsheret and help raise awareness so that kids and families going through similar situations feel supported and less alone.

A little about me: I enjoy spending time with my friends, playing sports, and being active. I like trying new activities and challenges and learning new things. For my B’nai Mitzvah, it feels meaningful to work on a project that helps others and supports a cause that is close to my heart.

“The Sharsheret B’nai Mitzvah project is very meaningful to me because I want Leila to grow into a responsible, well-rounded, and caring young adult. I want her to be aware of the people in her community who may be going through difficult times and to learn the importance of supporting others.”

Leila Ahava Sooferi