B'nei Mitzvah

5782 B'nei Mitzvah Projects

Katherine K. | October 2
Katie's bat mitzvah project focuses on collecting clothing and necessary items for people in need.

Spencer W. | October 30
Spencer hopes to help special needs kids learn to love the game of baseball as much as he does.

Emma E. | November 6
Emma attended the Storm Youth Championships in New Jersey and the Virginia State Tournament in Richmond, where she dedicated her singles/doubles matches on Sunday, June 20 to Alzheimer’s in memory of her grandfather.

Jane C. | November 13
For Jane’s bat mitzvah project, she will support Food for Others, a local non-profit that distributes food to our neighbors in need.

Ainsley O. | November 27
Ainsley is collecting eyeglasses for needy around the world. Donate your used eyeglasses in the bin in the lobby through November.

Abby K. | December 4
Abby has partnered with Stand Up to Cancer, to raise money for cancer patients and cancer research and to honor family members who have survived or passed away from cancer.

Jonah K. | December 11
Jonah will raise money and awareness for SEEC. SEEC provides a wide range of community support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, like his uncle Joe.

Natalie L. | January 8

Natalie assembled and delivered 100 winter-themed gifts to Fairfax Nursing Center to brighten residents’ rooms during the holiday season. This project was in memory of her late grandmother who stayed at Fairfax Nursing Center in 2020 and was always cheered up by crafts and a bit of chocolate.

Lauren H. | January 15

Lauren volunteers with the Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation. Both of her dogs, Ranger and Cocoa, are rescues and this is her way of helping other pets and people rescue each other.

Miles N. | February 19

Miles is taking action to protect the environment by volunteering with Casey's Trees, a non-profit that restores, enhances and protects the tree canopy through a variety of programs. His family also sponsored a fully-compostable kiddush lunch at Olam Tikvah.

Ruby P. | March 5

Ruby has been creating a three-part series of interviews with an infectious disease specialist from Johns Hopkins University to discuss the pandemic, vaccines, masks, and other COVID-related issues. The videos have been posted on a variety of social media platforms and on the Washington Jewish Week website. Her hope is that they have helped inform the public.

Noah L. | March 12

Noah's bar mitzvah project is raising money to go toward the scholarship fund at Camp Ramah NE to help all children, regardless of their ability to pay, to go to camp.

Koby S. | May 21

Koby is volunteering with Food for Others, a local organization that distributes food to our neighbors in need and supports over 3,000 local families per week. This project is inspired by Koby’s Torah portion, which focuses on sustainable farming practices and the sharing of excess food with those in need.

Madeline J. | May 28

Mady is selling greeting cards with original artwork benefiting PJOurWay, a Jewish-themed literacy program that has made a positive impact in her life. Here’s how it works: on the PJOurWay website, children ages 9-11 are able to pick a book from four options. Each has Jewish values and themes. Once picked, the book will be delivered the next month at no cost.

Ezra S. | June 11

Throughout the school year, Ezra has volunteered his time with Food for Others. As a warehouse volunteer, he sorts and packages food that is provided directly to needy people in our community.

Leighton K. | June 28

Leighton survived a devastating illness as a toddler and has worked tirelessly to combat many physical challenges due to this illness. Her Bat Mitzvah Project is personal and close to her heart. Leighton’s Bat Mitzvah Project is a walk to raise awareness and funds for epilepsy research.

Olivia R. | June 25

Olivia's Bat Mitzvah project is working as a Fairfax County volunteer at Braddock Bark.

Rachel R. | August 20

Rachel’s B’nai Mitzvah project is volunteering at the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC). AFAC provides free groceries to Arlington residents. Rachel helped bag produce and other essential food items for people in need.

Eli B. | August 27

For his bar mitzvah project, he is collecting donations of pet supplies to benefit the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, the shelter from which he adopted his cats.