My favorite thing about being Jewish is learning all the traditions and customs, like playing dreidel, searching for the afikomen, and eating matzah ball soup and challah.  Becoming a bar mitzvah means finding a path to my Jewish adulthood.  Preparing for my Bar Mitzvah has taught me how to be a confident Jew, by connecting to God, prayers, the texts of our tradition, and community.

My mitzvah project was helping with the Shalom Park Freedom School.  I helped underprivileged kids with their reading, participated with them in Harambee (their opening song session), helped serve breakfast and lunch, and did fun afternoon activities with them.  I chose this project because I like helping these children learn so that they can do great things for the world.  I learned that I am very fortunate to have everything I have in life.  I plan to keep learning about Judaism by going back to Israel, attending Hebrew High, and volunteering at the Freedom School.

David is the son of Steve and Lisa Garfinkle and the brother of Sarah, Jason and Ellen Garfinkle.  He is the grandson of Bill and Betsy Knott of Titusville, Florida, Roberta Sonneborn and the late Charles Sonneborn of Delray Beach Florida, and the late Jack B. Garfinkle.  Words of Mazel Tov may be sent to slgarfinkle@windstream.net.