My bar mitzvah is coming up in March 2007, so in addition to other requirements, I needed to do a mitzvah project. I decided to work with kids. While searching online, my mom and I found the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services (JBFCS), an organization that conducts programs throughout New York's five boroughs. This led me to the Ittleson Bronx Community Residence, a center for emotionally disturbed children between the ages of 8 and 15. "Ok," I thought, "I'll do some stuff with some kids and it'll be easy." Boy, was I wrong.

First, I was interviewed by Lisa Marcus, a licensed social worker and Teen Volunteer Coordinator at JBFCS. I guess I 'passed' my interview, because soon Lisa called back, informing me of my assignment. For five Saturdays, two hours each time, I would go to Ittleson and do activities with the kids.          

The first time I went, I met a dozen other kids on the basketball court. I noticed how demanding the overseers were, and had to be. These kids needed assistance. They were nice at first, but they had mood swings sometimes.

For three visits, we played basketball and kickball. I wasn't sure if the kids had the opportunity to do much else. One of my hobbies is baking, so I thought I could bake with them. I found a no-bake recipe that was perfect for using their imagination. After getting permission, I got the materials and ingredients.

During my fourth visit, I worked with nine kids. Some kids seemed interested in baking, while others seemed to not care. My first recipe was called Peanut Butter Honey Bees, which soon turned into Peanut Butter Creatures, because the kids made whatever they wanted. But that was okay. It was better with fewer restrictions.

The kids really wanted to get involved, so they all shared different jobs like mixing, crushing up graham crackers, or pouring sugar. After the creatures went in the refrigerator, I started my second recipe, Oreo Spiders. Since Halloween was about a week away, this recipe seemed perfect, and very easy to do. They all had fun assembling their own spiders, attaching licorice legs and M&M eyes, and eating them, too. When I asked "So, who likes baking?" everyone raised their hand.

For week five, I decided to try another activity: building. The kids were split up into three groups of three or four in each. Using only materials like straws, index cards, and paperclips, each group had to build a tower. The group with the tallest tower would win. Each group had a different idea of how to make their tower the tallest, and they were constantly asking for more supplies. After a while, I had them stop, and the winning group got bragging rights.

But I still had plenty of time, so I gave them another challenge. Using the same materials, each group had to build a bridge across two desks, and the bridge that could hold the most weight won. Again, each group had their own ideas, and in the end, the same group that won for the tower won again. Instead of just rewarding the winning team, I gave everyone lollypops, putting an end to a great afternoon and a great mitzvah project.

My time at Ittleson showed me how some people don't have as much as I do, and to not take things for granted. I can do baking and building whenever I want, but this might have been these kids' first time.

It was exciting and hard work for me to do activities with these kids. I gave them new opportunities to do things that they had fun with, and they gave me a chance to discover how it feels to lead a group and help others. I realized that learning, helping, and sharing is what becoming a bar mitzvah is all about