I am excited to become a Bar Mitzvah and proud to carry on the Jewish tradition in my family. My favorite thing about being Jewish is celebrating traditions and holidays with my family, especially eating delicious holiday foods like potato latkes on Chanukah and hamantashen on Purim. In preparing for my Bar Mitzvah, especially during the pandemic, I learned even more about the importance of connecting with my communities. I was able to do this through three mitzvah projects, one in each of three communities important to me. I worked over several weekends with my family and neighbors to help others in our neighborhood clear, from their houses, fences, yards and cars, trees that had fallen during a tornado. I also led a group of scouts clearing trash from my local elementary and middle school properties. Finally, I baked eighteen challahs to be delivered to members of our congregation to help us connect and celebrate Shabbat together. These projects helped support members of my neighborhood, school and Jewish communities while strengthening our connection. As I become a Jewish adult I look forward to further developing these relationships through community involvement, support and celebrating many more holidays together.
I am fortunate to celebrate my Bar Mitzvah with my family who has supported me and helped me achieve my goals and shape who I am. This includes my mom and dad, Alli and Andy Osborn, my brother Austin, and my grandparents, Fran and Barry Friedman and Mary Beth and Rob Osborn.
