My favorite thing about being Jewish is standing out – it makes me feel unique. Plus, when you say “I’m Jewish,” people are really interested, and say  “Tell me more,” so it’s also a conversation starter.

Becoming a bar mitzvah means I’m becoming more of an adult in the Jewish community – it doesn’t mean I all of a sudden make all of my decisions, but it does mean I get to think more about what it means to become my own person with my own choices on how to be a part of the Jewish community. In preparing for my bar mitzvah, one thing I learned about myself is that I like going to Shabbat services! The music is peaceful, and it’s nice to sit and relax for a few minutes. It takes my mind off of school, especially things like tests.

I love to cook, and so I am finding ways to cook for a good cause for my mitzvah project through organizations like Meals on Wheels and Ronald McDonald House. I plan to keep learning with Judaism and living with Judaism by going to Friday night services, keeping up with the major holidays – and maybe I’ll even learn to make challah myself!

Reece Newman is the son of Michael and Jennifer Newman. He is the brother of Sydnie and Tori Newman. He is the grandson of Ed and Jill Newman of Charlotte NC, and Gerald (and Joan, z’’l) Crane of New York. Send notes of mazel tov!