Becoming a Bar Mitzvah means being an adult in the Jewish Community and taking Judaism into my daily life. I quickly figured out that becoming a bar mitzvah was a lot of work and I would need to practice every day. For my Mitzvah project I volunteered to help try to get dogs adopted by talking with people and holding the dogs. After I did this I felt good because I now know that these dogs deserve a home and they should not be treated poorly. I also volunteered at a youth basketball camp to help my coach train young kids.

My favorite part of being Jewish is my grandmother’s matzah ball soup. However, being Jewish means more than great food. Judaism includes doing good deeds, observing the commandments and mitzvot, and praying to God. Becoming a Bar Mitzvah is giving me more responsibility as a Jew. I am going to continue being Jewish through my prayers, celebrations of the holidays with family, and learning.

Lucas Atkins is the son of Robin and Jim Atkins and the brother of Sonia. HIs grandparents, Harriet Hurlich of Charlotte, NC and Daniel and Carol Atkins of Winston-Salem. Send notes of congratulations.