Batmitzvah girl Savannah lives in Bushey and is a regular congregant at the local United Synagogue. She attends St Helen’s Girls’ School in Northwood and is a former Hertsmere Jewish Primary pupil. Her interests include art, drama and music
Tell us about the ceremony
The synagogue was filled with my family and friends. It made me feel very proud and emotional. Some of my speech was about Yom Hashoah, which was a few days before my batmitzvah. Since I was named after my great-grandmother Sarah, who died in the Holocaust, I feel very connected to those terrible times.
Tell us about the celebration
It was at home and was amazing. We had a jazz band and tea in the garden followed by a party for all my friends which included karaoke and lots of games and fun.The night was topped off with an amazing firework display. I decided to donate money to the Burma appeal because during a week of happiness, all I was reading about was the terrible destruction that was happening. I wanted to do my bit of good with the batmitzvah money and felt that it would be a way of giving to those much less fortunate than me. The rest will go to Sderot. My sister Katrina is on a gap year with FZY in Israel and she was taken to Sderot to see at first hand the terrible experiences that people there face every day.
Tell us what was special about your simchah
It was just so lovely to have all my family with me. My brother Joshua flew in from New York. Katrina flew back from Israel and it was my other brother Lewis’s 21st birthday.
