My favorite thing about being Jewish is that I am a part of the Jewish community which is so powerful together that we can do anything. The Jewish community is a beautiful community that is always supportive to each other and always happy to support those who aren’t Jewish.

To become a bar mitzvah means to me that I become a Jewish adult who is a responsible and trustworthy person. This could mean being responsible to make your lunch in the morning or washing dishes. Or it could mean bigger responsibilities like working at a job.

In preparing for my bar mitzvah I have learned parts of the Torah that I didn’t know what they meant in English. This has really helped me understand some of the Jewish history that I have never understood before.

My mitzvah project consisted of spending time helping teachers at my school and at my brother’s elementary school prepare their classrooms for the upcoming school year. I was happy to help these people and didn’t just do it just because I had to. I was excited to help the community and be a good change in the world. To keep learning from and living with Judaism, I will continue attending and participating in services.

Asher is the son of Seth Nore and Kimberley Odom, the stepson of Mandie Nore, and is the older brother of Levi Nore and Brantley Odom. He is the grandson of Linda Nore, the late Norman Nore, Gary Dromms, and Shirley Dromms, all of Charlotte NC. Send emails of Mazel Tov.