Jerusalem (Jeri) Weiss will be called to the Torah. Mazel tov to the Weiss fam!

Jerusalem (Jeri) Weiss, daughter to Midbar Kodesh Temple members Devra and Dr. Avi Weiss, will be called to the Torah in October. Jeri will be joined in celebration by her brother Shai, her Grandparents Patty Weiss and Rabbi Loel Weiss, and family and friends from as far away as Israel and from at least 15 states, including Nevada! Jeri is granddaughter to the late Jeremy and Marcia Goldberg, of blessed memory.

Jeri is a 7th grader at a local private school and a member of that school's swim team. She also holds a black belt in Taekwondo. Jeri enjoys all her subjects in school, is a Harry Potter fan and a member of her school's writing club. She belongs to MKT USY. Jeri is interested in becoming a YouTuber, possibly as an animator.

For her Mitzvah Project Jeri has twice donated her hair to organizations that make wigs for people experiencing hair loss. “Some kids don’t have hair because of diseases or treatments that cause hair loss." She says that "it is hard to feel good when you don’t have hair. By donating hair to help others feel good, you are being selfless instead of selfish." In June 2017, Jeri donated to "Children With Hair Loss." In March 2019, Jeri donated to "Wigs 4 Kids." Both organizations specialize in providing wigs to sick children, free of charge, so that they can focus on overcoming their illnesses while feeling good about themselves.

Jeri looks forward to her Bat Mitzvah, reading from the first portion of Bereshit, and says that "it is better to be good than perfect. I don’t erase every mistake I make.”

Covering Young Heads to Heal Young Hearts - Jeri Weiss Mitzvah Project

For several years Midbar Kodesh Temple teen Jeri Weiss has been growing her hair and having it cut to send to different organizations who offer emotional support and wigs to children and young adults facing medically-related hair loss. She and mom, Devra, have done their research and have found that many organizations' needs and criteria change over a year's time. As she prepares for her October Bat Mitzvah, Jeri is sharing information on "Children With Hair Loss," which is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that provides human hair replacements at no cost to children and young adults who need these services. While Michigan based, "Children With Hair Loss" serves all 50 states. When a child's hair is lost due to cancer treatments, alopecia, trichotillomania, burns, etc., the painful effects are far deeper than just cosmetic. Each year, the number of children requesting hair replacements increases. With support from people like Jeri, wig-providing organizations can continue to increase the number of children they are able to help.

"Children With Hair Loss" provides a complete care kit along with a human hair replacement at no cost to those who qualify. They also provide support and education to recipients and to volunteer cosmetologists and barbers. Services and products are provided free of charge to recipients annually until age 21.

While there are Henderson and Las Vegas salons that work directly with "Children With Hair Loss," many local beauticians are able to properly prepare the hair to donate to "Children With Hair Loss" if donors bring instructions. You can visit the "Children with Hair Loss" web site at: https://childrenwithhairloss.us/ for more information on hair donation requirements, monetary donations, and how to apply for wigs for children who need hair replacement for medical need.

Jeri will be making presentations to the teens at Midbar Kodesh Temple to educate and increase their awareness about this special need. A Thank You to Jeri Weiss for bringing this important information to the congregation and community as her Mitzvah Project.