My name is Caleb Malovany, and I’m in 4th grade. I go to religious school here at Etz Hayim, and over the years, I’ve learned a lot – including how to ask more questions! When I saw people at Sunday morning minyan wearing those black boxes with black straps, I was curious. I knew they were called “tefillin,” but I didn’t know what they were for. So I asked Rabbi Bass if I could come meet with her so she could teach me. She agreed, so I went to her office with my grandma on a summer morning. I brought my great-grandfather’s tefillin with me, to show her. My great-grandfather’s tefillin were too fragile to use, and Rabbi Bass was also concerned that they weren’t kosher because she couldn’t see the letter “shin” on them. So she brought out her set and let me try it on. She taught me what’s in the black boxes and that I can’t officially wear them until I’m 13 (bar mitzvah). My grandma was very proud to be with me during this meeting with the Rabbi. I would like to thank Rabbi Bass for teaching me all this stuff!