I wanted to have a Bar Mitzvah. I think it is cool to say the prayers in front of everyone and to learn the Torah so I can read it in front of the Temple. I was also looking forward to the party (probably even more than leading the service). I have learned a lot of Torah. My aliyahs (each Torah reading) are REALLY long. I am proud of being Jewish. It makes me different from all of the other kids. It sets me apart. After my Bar Mitzvah, I hope to continue on as a Bar Mitzvah tutor helping others to learn. I want to keep on saying prayers for the holidays and going to services.

For my mitzvah project I helped with Loaves and Fishes. People and organizations donate food to Loaves and Fishes. In turn, Loaves and Fishes hands out food to people in need. I helped by organizing food onto shelves to facilitate handing it out. I then collected some of the food, put them in bags, and brought them out to the families’ cars. I felt proud to help out these families. They were very grateful and their stories were very sad. I fulfilled the mitzvah of feeding the hungry.

Josh is the son of Melanie and Greg. He is the sibling of Ella.
Words of Mazel Tov can be sent to m_mellone@yahoo.com.