My favorite thing about being Jewish has been learning how to read an ancient language. It makes me feel connected to the past and my ancestors. Becoming a Bar Mitzvah means that I have become a mature young adult that will be ready for everything life throws at me. In preparing for my Bar Mitzvah, I learned that breaking things down into small chunks makes a large task easier.

For my mitzvah project, I performed card magic for kids at the Relatives. It’s a safe home that helps children and youth find shelter and support. I chose this mitzvah project because I enjoy learning and performing card magic and I love to make people happy. My mitzvah project taught me that one small gesture can really make someone’s day. Each time I left the Relatives I smiled and was so glad I could make their day brighter. I plan to keep learning about Judaism and living with Judaism by continuing to live a Jewish life and celebrate the holidays with my family to keep the traditions alive.

Miles is the son of Noah and Linda Humphrey. He is the older brother of Reid Humphrey. He is the grandson of Roberta & Herb Schneiderman of Bluffton, SC and Joyce Humphrey & Geoffrey Posner of Philadelphia, PA.  Send notes of mazal tov.