Cai Jackson comes of age amidst science, Torah, and positive influences

In the beginning, Cai Jackson wanted nothing to do with a bat mitzvah.

“I was thinking it’d be too hard, but then once I started studying I realized I just had to get over it,” she said.

A seventh grader at Chico Country School, when Cai’s not studying Torah, she enjoys drawing and reading about biology and chemistry, which she hopes may be the foundation for her future career.

“I just think science is a big part of our lives. If we didn’t have it we wouldn’t have a lot of things in the world,” she said.

For Cai, the most challenging part of preparing for her bat mitzvah has been the nerves she feels when she thinks about that moment where she will read from the Torah. But her favorite part has been enjoying the time to practice and study with her tutor, Keren Carter.

“It was fun to spend that time with her because she’s really nice and has a lot of joy,” Cai said.

When asked about positive influences in her life, Keren’s name returns. Cai appreciates the way that Keren encourages her, praises her, and refuses to let her give up. Cai also says that she couldn’t be where she is today without her mom, Cheryl, who has helped her through everything, even hard times.

“You know, she’s my mom,” she said.

Teachers have also been important in Cai’s life. She respects the way that they help their students, and the way that they can help her see a subject from a different perspective.

Perhaps she has gained a greater respect for teachers through her mitzvah project, which involves volunteering at the Shul School, where she helps around the classroom and assists the teacher.

“I chose this project because I thought it would be good to help the younger ones understand,” Cai said. “I like hearing the kids’ opinions and what they think and how they learn.”

Cai will be called to the Torah as a bat mitzvah on Saturday, November 22 at 10 a.m. at CBI. Please RSVP by November 15 to Cheryl Jackson at cejackson425@gmail.com. There will also be an oneg in Cai’s honor on Friday, November 21. Everyone is welcome to attend these events in celebration of Cai Jackson.