My favorite thing about being Jewish is the feeling of community. To become a Bar Mitzvah means to become another adult in this community. One thing I find agreeing with about myself from Sheva class is that I agree with most of those teachings and actually live by them without even knowing.

For my Bar Mitzvah project I choose to be a Lawyer at the Gaston County Teen Court. For those who do not know what it is, it’s an actual functioning court which Minors can choose instead of district court. It is not a mock court and all of the cases are real. The sentences of the minors (community service hours, essays, case observations, etc.) stay off their records so they can have a second chance. In doing so I am completing the Mitzvah of giving others a second chance.

Please send words of mazel tov to jatsiri@hotmail.com