My favorite thing about being Jewish is probably the people because most of the Jewish people I meet are nice kind people and they care about each other, and it’s nice to be part of a people like that. I also like the food. For me, becoming a bar mitzvah means having more responsibilities because to become a bar mitzvah means to become an adult. As a kid, you kind of expect your parents do most things for you – but as an adult you do most things for yourself. Even though I’m not going to be an actual adult because I still won’t be able to drive or go out on my own and I’m only 13, going through this process means beginning to do more things for myself.

In preparing for my bar mitzvah, I’ve learned that I pick up languages quicker than I thought I would. I’ve also learned that this was a harder process than I thought it was going to be – and that I can still do it.

For my mitzvah project, I taught activities at cub scout camp. Back when I was a cub scout and I saw the staff, it looked like it would be fun to teach kids like me – I wanted to know enough to be able to help teach other kids. Participating in this project allowed me to do that! It was a good feeling to help kids learn how to do cool things safely. After my bar mitzvah, I plan to keep coming to services, and I am signing up for Hebrew High!

Konur Handy is the son of Sandra Layman and Rob Layman. He is the grandson of Marlyn Watson of Charlotte, North Carolina and Hadley Watson of Paducah, Kentucky. Send notes of mazel tov.