Eli Tennen celebrates his bar mitzvah, generously gives back to Winthrop in town project
By Cary Shuman
In November, Eli Tennen celebrated his bar mitzvah, which is a tremendous honor in the Jewish religion that signifies a boy entering adulthood on his 13th birthday.
Tennen was joined on the day of his bar mitzvah by his proud parents, Eric and Leah, his older brother, Lev, his grandparents, Raquel Tennen, Susan Hart, and Macy Hart, other family members, and several Winthrop Middle School mates during a wonderful Sabbath at Temple Emmanuel in Chelsea.
“It felt good to be bar mitzvahed,” said Eli, who delivered a flawless chant of the haftarah after being trained by Rabbi Scott Segal for the momentous ceremony. “The bar mitzvah was really fun.”
Launching a fund to help others in town
Inspired by his bar mitzvah honor and a love of all sports, Eli Tennen started a community service project, “Everybody Deserves to Play” that was designed to help others participate in local sports and recreational programs.
“I’ve played multiple sports for a long time, and it’s one of my main characteristics and helps identify who I am,” explained Eli. “I just thought about what my life would be without sports, and with all the lessons I’ve learned, all the friends and memories that I’ve made, it would be crazy without them. So, I thought about people who don’t have this opportunity. I wanted to do something to help.”
That, he did. And it’s been an amazing success story for the seventh grader.
Eli’s project helps defray expenses for families wishing to enroll their children in Winthrop Parks and Recreation programs.
“I went to the Fall Fair in October and the Thanksgiving football game and raised a lot of money,” he said. “And then meeting with people, relatives, and just asking for donations and advertising online – so many people have stepped up and helped me.”
All told, Eli Tennen has raised more than $3,500 to-date for the “Everybody Deserves To Play” Fund.
Driscoll hails youth’s
contribution to Rec
program
Parks and Recreation Director Sean Driscoll summed up Eli Tennen’s benevolent act of community service, stating, “He did a good thing.”
“Eli decided to raise funds for people who were facing financial challenges,” said Driscoll. “With the honor of being bar mitzvahed, Eric didn’t want anyone to go without, and with the fees being raised through the years, he took it upon himself to create a fund for others who want to participate in our program. The fund gives us a little bit of an option when a financial need arises.”
“Eli has been in our afterschool program and basketball and flag football programs,” noted Driscoll. “He and his brother, Lev, are great kids and they both have big hearts.”
Eli plays Winthrop town and middle school basketball and was a third baseman and outfielder for the Winthrop Little League ‘A’ Division champion Marlins. He also plays in the Winthrop Youth Football program.
Asked if he considers himself a multi-versatile athlete, Eli replied humbly, “I like to say that.”
“We try,” added his father, Eric.
Enjoying the Town of Winthrop
Eric Tennen said the family has lived in Winthrop for 11 years, having relocated from East Boston.
An excellent student, Eli attended the Gorman and Cummings Schools and is now attending Winthrop Middle School. At the Cummings School, he learned to appreciate the athletic achievements of Jillian Dempsey, a professional women’s hockey player.
“It was sort of interesting being next to her, because she was a such a famous athlete, but she was also a teacher,” related Eli.
His favorite pro favorite athlete is Shaquille O’Neal.
“I like the way he gives to charity,” said Eli about the 7-foot-1-inch NBA Hall of Famer who is now a television broadcaster. “When I was in fifth grade, I did a poster-board project, and I chose Shaquille O’Neal as the subject.”
Through all the success he’s enjoyed and a bar mitzvah celebration that he will treasure forever, Eli Tennen said he’s appreciative of his parents’ positive influence on his life and their day-to-day inspiration and support.
“They definitely helped me a lot and I’m thankful,” said Eli.