By Jon Moskin
Mia Felson believes in preparation. She came to the campus with a guitar in one hand, a ukulele in the other, a bag of percussive shakers for anyone to play along, and a set list that ranged from Elvis to the Beatles, with jazz and pop classics from the Great American Songbook sprinkled in. That’s a pretty impressive repertoire for a seasoned musician. But when Mia started her “career” at the San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living (Campus), she had not yet had her Bat Mitzvah.
It’s rare to find adolescents with a passion for anything. And when they do, it often revolves around activities they can do on their smartphones. But clearly, Mia is not your average 13-year-old. And her infectious passion for music is only matched by her desire to be of service.
And it all started when she was five.
“For as long as I can remember, I would sing around the house,” Mia said. “But as I got older, I got more and more excited about performing, so my mom suggested that we reach out to organizations to see if I could share what I love doing with others. And that’s how I found the Campus.”.
“I just think it’s important for the younger generation to give back and take care of the older generation who gave so much,” she said. “And being with them is so much fun!”
That was nearly three years ago. Since then, she has been performing for older adults every other Saturday, to raves from residents and staff alike. But the more you speak with Mia about why she does what she does, it becomes increasingly clear that she’s not performing for the approbation. For Mia, music itself is an instrument that allows her to create meaningful connections with people she loves and reveres.
And that sense of fun and interconnectedness reveals itself to Mia virtually every time she performs. Like when she played, I’ve Got Rhythm for a resident who was so uplifted by the song that she got up and danced along. Or when a resident in the memory care unit spontaneously accompanied her on the piano despite not having the sheet music, as if the music was connected to a deeper part of his mind and soul. Mia’s “soul music” connects her not only to her audience but to the guiding value that animates her volunteerism: tikkun olam.
And indeed, that principle of repairing the world, one song and one connection at a time, has also inspired Mia to donate her Bat Mitzvah money specifically to Frank Residences Memory Care. When she asked for ideas on how it could be used, a staff member came up with the idea of creating a CD that captures the connection formed through live music. Her very generous contribution made it possible to create a recording of Mia and the residents making music together.
“I wanted to contribute my proceeds to the seniors and memory care unit because these people are often overlooked. And it can sometimes be harder to connect with them. But I’ve gotten to see that they still have the ability to experience joy, happiness, and connection like everyone else… And being a part of this, it’s just so fun.”
Mia is an embodiment not only of tikun olam, but of its kindred value, kibbud zekeinim, honoring the aging.
But more than that, she’s just a great kid.
If you are interested in joining Mia in her service to our community, please visit our website to view opportunities.