Oklahoma City teen cooks up a project for animal welfare group

The term “bat mitzvah” has two meanings. When a girl becomes 12 she becomes a “bat mitzvah,” is recognized by Jewish tradition as having the same rights as an adult and is. “Bat” means daughter in Hebrew and Aramaic. “Bat Mitzvah” also refers to a religious ceremony that accompanies a girl becoming a bat mitzvah. (Many people may be more familiar with the term “bar mitzvah” which refers to the religious ceremony that accompanies a boy becoming a bar mitzvah. “Bar” means son in Aramaic.)

Rachel's bat mitzvah ceremony is set for Oct. 20 at the Oklahoma City synagogue.

The teenager said she has been reading the portion of the Torah that tells the story of Noah and the ark he built at God's command. In the Book of Genesis, Noah leads animals two-by-two onto the ark and they, along with his family, survive the great flood that God sends upon the Earth.

Rachel said the Torah reading is part of the religious service required for bat mitzvah. She said the timing of the Torah reading to include Noah's story was great because she and her family have a love of animals. With all of that in mind, she chose to dedicate her required tzedakah project to animals.

Rachel's mother, Sara Jane Rose, said the project has been perfect for her daughter.

She said the family has three dogs and Rachel has two pet birds. Sara Jane Rose said her older daughter volunteered with the Central Oklahoma Humane Society so the family has been a supporter of the nonprofit organization for some time.

She said she and Rachel found several recipes for dog biscuits on the Internet. The next step was seeing if family and friends were interested in buying the treats.