Writing
Writing has always been something that I enjoy doing. So, I try to take advantage of as many opportunities that I have to write!
My Passion Project
In May, I started a research project. My research question focuses on the mental, physical, and cognitive effects of social media on adolescents. I had always been told that social media was bad and that it wasn't good to start using it so early, but I was curious to learn more about the "why" behind why social media is bad. Additionally, I was excited to gain experience writing, reading complex articles, and using apps and webpages like Zotero and Google Scholar.
My final product is a review paper that includes a section with solutions to help mitigate the negative effects of social media will be presented. I hope to make the paper accessible to girls at my school!
Here is the link to my final paper: file:///C:/Users/Beatrice.baum.30/Downloads/3390-Preprint%20Text-4216-1-10-20251102%20(1).pdf
Chabad Newsletter
In order to write more and to learn more about Judaism, I decided to start writing segments that I've submitted to my synagogue for publishing. I write around twice a month and I hope to continue this as long as possible.
Here is an article I submitted about the importance of the Jewish holiday, Passover:
Why Is This Night Different From All Other Nights What Differentiates Passover From Other Jewish Holidays This month, Jews around the world will come together as groups of family and friends to celebrate one of the most beloved Jewish holidays, Passover. For eight days, we will pray, enjoy time with people we love, and wonder where all the matzah is coming from. We will have a seder, find the afikoman, and read the Haggadah to learn about an exodus that would change the life of every Jew to come. However, what really differentiates Passover from other holidays? Why is it mentioned the most of other holidays in the Torah? What makes Passover such a special time of the year? Passover marks the beginning of the Jewish people’s lives out of slavery. It marks the time when traditions were made, rules created, and a new nation born. Over Passover and the years following, the Jewish people grew their culture the most and created some of the celebrations, foods, and games that we enjoy to this day. If Moses had not led us out of Egypt, these sacred traditions and the main parts of the Jewish culture wouldn’t have developed. By observing this holiday every year we are reminded of this amazing journey. Passover is also a time to learn. It involves people sitting around a dinner table together, reading and discussing the stories of Exodus during the seder. In fact, most of the seder dinner seems to be talking! We even ask 4 questions to spark conversations and lead to more curiosity, love of, and learning about the Jewish faith. Finally, Passover is a time to be with people you love. Unlike other Jewish holidays, Passover is primarily celebrated in the home, together. This provides a time to build a community with other Jews and become closer with family and friends. At the seder table, surrounded by people who love and support you, is often a time when people feel more comfortable discussing their thoughts. Plus, when I celebrate in the comfort of my own home, usually with my dogs on my lap and my family by my side, I often feel a deeper, more personal connection with God, who has made all these blessings possible. Over 1,500 years ago, Moses led the Jewish people out of slavery in Egypt. The immense bravery, obedience, and faith of the Jewish people and the unity that they exemplified serves as a model for what we can do in our day to day lives when we come together.