My daughter, Lauren Kuperman, turns 17 this month. She is a senior at Community High in Ann Arbor, applying to colleges and is ready to start taking on both the rights and responsibilities of adulthood. With that in mind, Lauren and I went to the Red Cross this morning to donate blood. Her first time, my 49th since coming to Michigan. Going today was her idea.

As I have mentioned in the past, Lauren attended Sunday School at the Ann Arbor Jewish Cultural School (JCS.) As part of her education and as a requirement to become a Bat Mitzvah, she had to perform at least 30 hours of community service. Like many of the kids at the JCS, she far exceeded that requirement. She has been performing Mitzvot as an integral part of her life, helping with the repair of the world, making the world a little bit better.

I am very proud of her, of what she does and the person that she has become. The kid just rocks.