My name is Marisa Goffman, and I am a 7th grader at Dakota Hills Middle School. I live in Eagan with my mom Rebecca, my dad Robert, my older brother Ben, and my younger sister Alana. I used to have 2 pet hamsters named Nibbles and Lila, but they have both passed away. When I'm not in school, I like to hang out with my friends, and train in Taekwondo. I am currently a red belt. Some other hobbies I have are playing basketball and playing the piano. The two biggest things in my life are writing and reading. My favorite place on earth is camp. Every year I count down the days until I get on the bus to go back to Ramah the next summer.

My bat mitzvah parasha is B'haalotcha from the book of Bamidbar. The first part of this portion was very confusing to me because it kept jumping from one subject to the next, and they had nothing to with each other. However, at the very end is the part that was my favorite. It is a story about Miriam and Aaron gossiping about Moshe and his new wife. Miriam then gets punished and is sent out of camp for

seven days. This story teaches you should not gossip or judge. I have been trying to apply this lesson to my
everyday life at school, but it hasn't been easy. For my D'var I have written my own midrash on what happens
to Miriam while outside in the desert.
 

Lately, I have been volunteering my time at the Dakota County Library, making sure that all the books are
in the correct order. Along with this service, I have partnered with an organization called Milk and Bookies.
They take new or gently used books, have you decorate your own bookplate, and then place the plate in the
book and donate it to a kid who doesn't have access to books. I have decided to donate books to the St. Paul Children's Hospital. I chose this as my tzedakah project because I love to read. Nothing gives me more joy
than escaping into another world. Most of the time, you can catch me with my nose in a book. I have worked
hard getting ready for this big day, and so has my family. I can't wait to share and celebrate it all with you!