When Kenna Werby celebrated her Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, March 29, she didn’t just mark a major milestone in her own life – she made a lasting impact on the lives of countless young readers in Tidewater.
For her Bat Mitzvah project, Kenna chose to support the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Be A Reader (BeAR) Literacy Project, a cause close to her heart. “I chose the Be A Reader Literacy Project as my Bat Mitzvah project because I have always loved to read and believe that everyone who wants to read should have the ability to learn how,” she says.
Instead of traditional centerpieces, each of Kenna’s table toppers was a stack of brand-new children’s books, all destined for second-grade students in Norfolk and Virginia Beach Title I schools through the BeAR program. The books weren’t just decoration—they were a beautiful and meaningful donation that will soon be in the hands of eager young readers.
Kenna’s love for books started early. “When I was younger, my favorite books were the Clementine series. I liked reading these books because they made me laugh and always kept me entertained,” she says.
The idea of using books as centerpieces came from a desire to both celebrate her project and encourage others to get involved. “We wanted to bring attention to my project and inspire people to donate their time or books to the organization,” Kenna says.
When selecting the books, Kenna was thoughtful about her choices. “I chose books that I enjoyed reading while I was an early reader, like Pete the Cat and Fancy Nancy. I chose books that I enjoyed reading because I knew that they would be entertaining and a good fit for early readers.”
Seeing the tables decorated with books, knowing they would soon find new homes with children who need them, was a powerful moment for Kenna. “It felt good to know that the decorations on the tables were going to a good cause and supporting kids in schools that need books,” she says.
Kenna also has a message for other young people considering their own Mitzvah projects: “I would definitely encourage other kids to plan a Bar or Bat Mitzvah project like this because many people take their ability to read for granted, and there will always be kids that need extra assistance learning to read. It is such an important skill that benefits everyday life, and by choosing this project, I am helping kids that are trying to learn.”
Kenna’s generosity, creativity, and heart for literacy left everyone at BeAR truly inspired. Her project reflects everything the BeAR Literacy Project stands for: sharing stories, encouraging young imaginations, and helping children build a lifelong love of reading. BeAR is deeply grateful for Kenna’s support and so excited for the students who will soon be turning the pages of those special books that meant so much to her when she was in elementary school.
For more information on BeAR, go to JewishVA.org/BeAR.
