By participating in a Bar and Bat Mitzvah service project, you are given the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives. You can give back to your community or the world at large in any number of ways including volunteering, using meaningful centerpieces, doing a service project at your party, fundraising, giveaways, raising awareness about a cause or agency and philanthropic funds……the list is endless.
Tips on how to choose a Bar or Bat Mitzvah project:
• Consider what becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah means to you.
• Think about challenges in the world that you would like your Bar/Bat Mitzvah project to address.
• Think about Mitzvah projects your friends and relatives have done. What did you like about them?
• Contact organizations with whom you can partner for your project.
• Learn more about the problem you are addressing.
• Include information about your project in your invitation, at the service or party.
Areyvut – Bar and Bat Mitzvah Project consultants!
Areyvut is an organization that specializes in helping Bar Mitzvah boys and Bat Mitzvah girls finding the right service project for them. Some of the projects their Bar Mitzvah kids participated include
• Fundraising bike-a-thon
• Father – son charity baseball game
• Toy collection drives
• Preparing care packages for American soldiers without family in Israel
• Raising money for poverty stricken Jews in the former USSR, or refugees in Rwanda
A Bar Mitzvah Boy that made a difference – and hasn’t stopped!
The Areyvut organization profiles Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah kids who made a difference. On their website you can read about Daniel Dietz from Florham, MA. In 2006 for his Bar Mitzvah project, Daniel decided to raise funds for children in developing countries that cannot afford cleft lip and palate surgery. At first Daniel aimed to raise $4,500 – which would impact the lives of 18 children. His plan was simple – to entertain people with his yoyo tricks and encourage them to donate any money they could into his “tip jar” after his performance. Before he knew it, Daniel had raised over $15,000 and that total continues to climb! Daniel continues to perform his yoyo tricks throughout the country.
Further resources
Check out the Areyvut website for more project ideas or to find out about Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah service projects consultation.