I enjoy many things about my Jewish heritage.  One of them is the celebration of holidays.  I enjoy attending services, but, holidays in our house means that we have time together as family, away from distractions of school and sports, and we can just spend time together.  I enjoy the customs we have created as a family, or the way my Mom and Grandma’s cook traditional holiday foods, and just having fun together.

Becoming a Bar Mitzvah means that I am a Jewish adult in the eyes of God and within the Jewish community.  It means that I have a personal responsibility to carry forward the things I have learned, and to create my own traditions one day with my own family.

I learned a great deal in Sheva, about preparing for my Bar Mitzvah, and about Judaism overall, and what it means to me.  It has helped me understand the importance of becoming a Bar Mitzvah, and how fortunate I am. For my Mitzvah project, I am volunteering with my family at the Ronald McDonald house where we will plan and cook meals for families while their children receive medical treatment at the Children’s Hospital.  I understand the value that the Ronald McDonald house provides to families of sick children, as my parents’ friends had a very sick child, and they stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in Minnesota while she received treatment.  I also have a love of cooking, and this is an opportunity to cook for people and make them a little happier during a difficult time.  It is an opportunity to help children and families with medical needs, as it is my goal to become a pediatrician someday. There are so many people who need help, and I am blessed to be able to help them.

As a Jewish adult, I will continue attending services and will serve as a tutor and attend Hebrew High. As an adult, I will take my children to temple and guide them to become a Bar Mitzvah and share the same family traditions that have been shared with me.

Jack is the son of Ross and Stephanie Feldman and the brother of Joshua. Jack’s grandparents are Larry and Joan Feldman of Boynton Beach, Florida and Neal and Patricia Rudikoff of  Bayshore, New York.
Please send messages of Mazel Tov to: cutiepatootiesnc@gmail.com