I am a seventh-grade student at New West Charter, and my favorite subject is history because I love learning about the past. Soccer is my passion — I play for a west side club, FC England, and train hard as a goalkeeper. I hope to play in college, and one day, even play professionally.

I was born in New York City and moved to LA when I was three. My parents are Bonnie and Offer Nissenbaum; I have two older siblings, Ari and Giselle, in college, and a dog, Rascal, a chocolate lab, who looks out for me, too.

I feel very fortunate to have a “double chai” Bar Mitzvah, 4.14.18, but the most special part of the day is that it will bring together my family and friends. For my Mitzvah project, I am running a pledge campaign to raise money for Soccer Without Borders, which offers programming to inspire positive change for under-served and culturally-isolated youth. People pledge a small amount for each goal I save and for every shut-out earned by my team, to benefit SWB, so that children and teens can have friends and mentors to overcome obstacles and be successful.

I would like to thank Rabbi Bassin, Cantor Lizzie and Kalanit for giving so much of their time and effort to prepare me for becoming a Bar Mitzvah.

There’s no greater danger than playing it safe.

— Nike