Marlo Chaikelson’s Bat Mitzvah

Hello! My name is Marlo Chaikelson. I am a seventh grader at the Brandeis School of San Francisco and I will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on January 17, 2026, for Parshat Vaera.

My parsha takes place during the first seven plagues out of the ten plagues that struck Egypt. It is a powerful story showcasing Moses’s bravery in order to step out of his comfort zone and face Pharaoh to stand up for what’s right.

My family and I joined Beth Sholom in 2024, and with this amazing community, I have felt as if I have belonged here my entire life.

In my free time, I enjoy dancing, playing basketball and volleyball, and hanging out with my friends and my sister, Sabine, a fifth grader at Brandeis who will soon be beginning her journey to becoming a Bat Mitzvah.

I would like to thank my mom, dad, and sister who have supported me in order to get to this day, as well as Rabbi Russell, Jonathan and Marilyn who have each guided me through this learning experience. Thank you for helping me reach this milestone and I look forward to seeing everyone on my special day.