Name: Jenna Saloner of Dance for Love

Town: San Diego, California

Project Date: March 2012

Mitzvah Project: Bake Sale to raise funds to purchase a TV and DVDs for the Orphanage

Tell us a little about yourself and Dance for Love.

I am a 10th grader and attend the San Diego Jewish Academy. I am very close to my family and we always have Shabbat dinners together every Friday night. After school I love to dance. I do ballet jazz and lyrical. During my free time I also like to hang out with my friends.

Dance for Love is a mitzvah group that I started this year for my sister and her friends. Dancing has always been a passion of mine, and I wanted to share this passion to the world in a productive way. In August 2011, I decided to start this charity group because it enabled me to combine what I love to do and charity work! 

Most of the girls in the group are around 10 years old, and they all love to dance. The girls in my group are Jayde, Demi, Shaye, Evanna, Deryn, Victoria, and Chloe. About twice a month I choreograph a new dance, and teach it to them. They always love learning new dances, and I greatly enjoy teaching them new skills and helping them improve on their technique. We have performed these routines at old age homes and for children with special needs. With this group, we also do various charity events. After we performed at the old age home, we sat with all the residents and made Purim cards with them; and the group and I participated in a Seder with the children with special needs.

How did you decide to take on this particular project for Lev LaLev?

Along with my Dance for Love charity group, I decided to raise money for Lev LaLev though a bake sale, because I love to help children in any way possible. Israel has always been a big part of my life, and helping orphaned girls in the Holy Land greatly appealed to me. I also wanted the girls in my group to help other children their age, who are less fortunate. All Jews should help another Jew, because we truly all are brothers and sisters.

All the girls had to bring their own baked goods. Some girls brought cookies, and others brought cupcakes. The bake sale turned out to be a hit and we raised around $400, which is a huge success. The bake sale took place outside a Vons grocery store in San Diego.  One customer even bought cupcakes for his daughter's birthday party from us! The girls and I made many fond memories during the bake sale.  

What was the most meaningful part of doing this Mitzvah Project?
The most meaningful part of this Mitzvah project was seeing all the girls in my charity get so excited to help other little girls in Israel. The girls in my group decorated all the cookies with such care, and showed huge smiles when they sold one.

Please share any details or fond memories of your Mitzvah Project.
The fondest memory I have from this Mitzvah project is when the girls sold their first cookie. They were so happy and were all jumping for joy.

Anything else you would like to share about your experience with Lev LaLev or the Mitzvah Project?
I think Lev LaLev is an amazing orphanage and treats their girls with the greatest of care. I have only had good experiences while working with them, and I hope my charity and I can raise more money for the orphanage and all girls in the future.

Please share your advice for a girl looking into doing a Mitzvah Project.
Whenever I do a Mitzvah project, I feel that I am slowly fulfilling an important part of a Jews responsibility. I love giving back to my community, and it’s a great way to learn more about other people and their challenges they face in this world.

Dance for Love is only $3,100 short, if you, your mitzvah club or someone you know is interested in helping them reach their $5,000 goal to purchase a TV and DVDs for the Orphanage, something the Home has never had, please contact me at sheena@levlalev.com 

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