I am having a Bar Mitzvah because both my parents expected me to and because it would have made my grandfather really proud.   Being a part of Jewish community was really important to my grandfather, who was once president of Temple Israel, and I know he would have wanted me to have this special day. I am proud that I have learned how to read Hebrew more fluently. As a Jewish adult, I plan to go to the High Holidays and to make a seder. If I have kids, I hope to raise them to be Jewish. I like being Jewish because I like being different.

For my Mitzvah Project, I participated in various activities that benefited less fortunate children than I.  I helped clean and sort out the gym equipment at Sterling Elementary on Mitzvah Day.  I will ride along with kids going to summer camp through the Bruce Irons Camp Fund (BICF) keeping them company and helping them get settled in at camp and I will volunteer at the Back-to-School party hosted by BICF for campers in August.

Isaac is the son of Erin and Jay Ashendorf. He is the grandson of Linda Ashendorf of Charlotte, NC and the late Bill Ashendorf, and Marie and Mike O’Callaghan of Mooresville. He is the brother of Lily.
Words of mazel tov can be sent to erinashendorf@aol.com.