Hi, my name is Nathaniel Klausner. I am in seventh grade at Dakota Hills Middle School in Eagan. I am also a student at Talmud Torah afternoon school. I have an older brother Louie. My parents are Dan & Nancy Klausner. I love dogs. We had a very special dog named Bear, who very sadly passed away. I miss Bear very much.

My favorite classes are American Studies, Technical Education, and Family & Consumer Sciences (making food). Outside of school, I like to play football, baseball, basketball, downhill ski, and hang out with my friends. In the summer, I go to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness with the Boy Scouts, and attend Herzl camp. I am interested in becoming an airplane pilot or chef.

My Torah portion is Tazria/Metzora. What surprised me was the long and elaborate rituals just to get rid of leprosy. I learned that in this parasha, leprosy is a "supernatural" disease. That is, if you speak badly of someone there is a consequence for that. I connect this to my life by thinking about what I say before I say it, and how people might react to the words I use.

My Tzedaka project is helping the Open Door Pantry in Eagan. It is a local food shelf in our community. My family and I have donated food and volunteered here over the years. I chose this project to continue our family tradition of giving food to people who do not have it. Please see: theopendoorpantry.org.