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B’nei Mitzvah

B'nei Mitzvah

Grayson Gordon

Acharei Mot/Kedoshim
Saturday, April 25, 2026

The thing that I love most about being Jewish is the sense of community I have. From High Holiday services to Jewish sport camps I love being with my friends in my community. As I become bar mitzvah I have realized that if you work hard at something, good things will happen to you. It can be scary taking on the responsibility of becoming a Jewish adult, especially with everything going on in the world,  but I feel confident that I will be able to be the best person I can be.

Through my preparations I have discovered that I need to stop waiting until the last minute to get my work done. I have learned (the hard way) that taking your time to make sure you know the material instead of rushing through it is very beneficial. My mitzvah project was collecting supplies for the Second Harvest Food Bank and Crisis Assistance Ministry. I learned that many people don’t have the basic necessities that we take for granted every single day and we should strive to do our best to help others.

As I step into Jewish adulthood I will try to abide by all of the morals God has set up for us. I am excited to interact with more and more people who are just like me with their religion and beliefs. Shabat Shalom!




Sadie Fishman

Acharei Mot/Kedoshim
Saturday, April 25, 2026

The best thing about being Jewish to me is the people. I love the way that Judaism brings my family together to engage in traditions and celebrate our culture. If I had to pick the best time of year it would be when my family is together laughing and telling stories. 

The process of becoming a bat mitzvah has been one of the most challenging things I have ever done. I feel like I have a better understanding of the meaning of the prayers and I am much more confident in Hebrew. This process has brought me closer to my friends and my religion.

To me, becoming a bat mitzvah means being able to stand up for yourself, being a leader, and following through on commitments that you have made. 

My mitzvah project was volunteering for the American Red Cross. I wrote letters to thank donors, helped out in the office, and promoted the Wrens Village Blood Drive to local businesses. 

 

After today I plan to help teach younger kids here at TBE as a tutor and to become a madrichah to help other kids become bar and bat mitzvah themselves! 




Recent

Matthew Tauber

Tazria/Metzora
Saturday, April 18, 2026

My favorite part about being Jewish is the traditions, because they have been going on for about 3,500 years, and repeating them makes me feel connected to something special. When I was in Sheva and we were learning about Jewish history, I thought that I was a part of all of this, and that made me feel connected and proud.

As I become a Bar Mitzvah, I have to take on new responsibilities, but that also means I get more freedom and more opportunities to do things I like and to help others. I have really benefited from a great school, and for my mitzvah project, I wanted to give back to students who need it. I organized a supply drive for a new school called Knight’s View that did not have all the supplies it needed.

As I step into Jewish adulthood, I am excited to keep learning more, celebrating holidays, and learning more about the stories behind them.

Samuel Goldberg

Sh'mini
Saturday, April 11, 2026

I love going to Shabbat and holiday services and connecting with God. I love our unique culture, and the food, especially brisket.

For my mitzvah project, I worked with the Beta Club, a club that does volunteer work. I helped clean trash around the school, wrote a poem about bullying, and I am running a pop-tab collection for Ronald McDonald House so that families can have a place to stay when a family member is in the hospital. I am excited to do more volunteering after my bar mitzvah.

I want to continue going to services at Temple to pray to God. I would like to continue my Jewish education through BEEMA and Hebrew High. I will keep volunteering and give back to my community. And when I am an adult, even if I move away from Charlotte, I will join a synagogue near where I live.

Dalton Frankel

Vayikra
Saturday, March 21, 2026

What I love about being Jewish is the culture, the Hebrew language and celebrations like Chanukah, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. 

In my preparation for my bar mitzvah, I discovered I can do many new things, such as learn how to read Hebrew, lead prayers, and chant from the Torah. And that I can do hard things that I didn’t think I would be able to. 

As I become a Jewish adult, I am excited to learn more about Hebrew and to explore more about Jewish history. I hope to continue learning more about Judaism at Temple Beth El and Hebrew High. 




Maddix Sodoma

Tzav
Saturday, March 28, 2026

My favorite part of being Jewish is celebrating holidays like Passover and Chanukah. I love the stories and the games me and my family play. The process of preparing to become Bar Mitzvah has shown me how much I love the stories and history of our Jewish religion.

For my mitzvah project, I made dog toys out of recycled fabric and donated them to an animal shelter. This project is important to me because not all dogs have families that love them like my six dogs do, and I hope the toys I make help dogs in the shelters become happier.

Becoming Bar Mitzvah means that I am growing up. I am going to have to take school more seriously and I have to be more responsible for myself. In the future, I plan to keep attending services and I hope to be able to travel to Israel one day.

Cameron Raczynski

Vayakeil-P'kudei
Saturday, March 14, 2026

What I love the most about being Jewish is the feasts we have on holidays and 8 days of presents on Hanukkah. Becoming a bar mitzvah means to me entering a new part of my life, maturing and taking more responsibility. During Sheva I have learned that Jewish people and Israel have gone through so much. I think our perseverance is amazing.  

For my Mitzvah Project I led a food drive to help people in need. I learned that it is really important to help those who are not fortunate enough to have a home or enough money to buy food. As I step into Jewish adulthood I plan to continue learning about Judaism and living a Jewish life by going to services and celebrating holidays. I am excited to one day go explore Israel which is something I have wanted to do for a while.




Zachary Gonedes

Vayakeil-P'kudei
Saturday, March 14, 2026

My favorite part about being Jewish is the sense of community. I’ve grown up going to the JCC, attending CJP and Temple Beth El, and spending summers at Jewish sleep-away camps. In all of these places, I’ve felt that Judaism creates a safe space where people can share their ideas, thoughts, and feelings, and feel accepted for who they are.

Becoming a Bar Mitzvah is a major milestone in my transition to adulthood. It represents taking on more responsibility and showing that I am capable of handling challenges. Studying Torah has taught me that if I focus and work hard, I can accomplish things that once felt impossible.

For my Bar Mitzvah project, I volunteered in several ways, including packing school bags and helping to provide Thanksgiving meals. Most of my time was spent helping younger kids at a day camp for one week. Through this experience, I learned the importance of patience and responsibility, and how much it matters to show up for others.




Julia Culp

Ki Tisa
Saturday, March 7, 2026

There are so many things I love about being Jewish. I love going to b’nei mitzvot and watching my friends bring the stories of Torah to life. I love the holidays, when I get to be with my family and share a special meal together. I love going to Sheva and feeling a sense of community as I learn alongside my peers. And I love the food… from matzah to my grandma’s brisket.

To me, becoming a bat mitzvah means taking on a bigger role in my community. It means giving back and helping others on their Jewish journeys, including by becoming a madricha. Through my bat mitzvah preparation, I discovered that I really enjoy volunteering and helping people. I cooked a full meal for teens experiencing homelessness, wrapped diaper care packages for families who cannot afford them, and completed training to become a buddy for kids with special talents.

As I step into Jewish adulthood, I plan to keep learning by continuing to come to services and by becoming a madricha to help other kids discover what it means to be Jewish.

Sofia Lopez

Ki Tisa
Saturday, March 7, 2026

I love Jewish traditions, especially celebrating holidays and being with my family. Those traditions bring me comfort, belonging, joy, and a sense of connection. I love having fun dinners with my friends and family at Supper Club, and I love the simple moments of being together.

Becoming a bat mitzvah means I am becoming a Jewish adult. It means taking on more responsibility and showing more maturity in how I live out my Jewish values. Through Sheva and Hebrew school, I have learned a lot about Judaism and what it means to step into Jewish adulthood.

For my mitzvah project, Julia and I volunteered with three organizations. First, we made a big meal for The Relatives, an organization that supports young people by providing housing and care. Second, we volunteered at the Diaper Bank, where we packed diapers for families who cannot afford them. Third, we volunteered with Friendship Circle, where we spent time with kids with special needs and focused on friendship and inclusion. Each experience taught me that small acts of kindness can make a real difference.

As I step into Jewish adulthood, I plan to keep learning about Judaism by going to more services, volunteering more, and looking for ways to help people in need. I am excited to see where my Jewish journey leads me next.

Abe Sheffer

Tetzaveh
Saturday, February 28, 2026

I love the traditions and values I gain from Judaism. Judaism provides guidelines on how to treat others and how to be a good person. I really enjoy the milestones and lifecycle events such as b’nei mitzvahs, weddings, bris and naming ceremonies, and more.These special moments are that much sweeter when celebrated alongside family and friends.

Becoming a bar mitzvah means to me that I will be recognized as an adult in the Jewish community which signifies I take on religious responsibility and also religious agency to shape my own studies and experience. It feels meaningful and exciting to be reaching this milestone and also comforting because I feel a sense of purpose. Through my Jewish studies I have discovered a deeper Jewish connection which has given me more motivation to follow Jewish values and laws. I want to keep these values as an important centerpiece of my life. 

My mitzvah project enabled me to embrace the Jewish values of tikkun olan (repairing the world) and hachnasat orchim (welcoming the stranger). I have been volunteering at the Love and Learn preschool program at Refugee Support Services (RSS). While volunteering at RSS, I spent time with the young children and helped with snack, storytime, and outdoor play. I also helped organize and distribute clothes and food during various RSS events. While I simply enjoyed playing with and getting to know the preschoolers, I also gained deep respect for immigrants and refugees who come from a difficult homeland and have found refuge and a new life here in the U.S.

As I step into Jewish adulthood, I am excited to explore more about Jewish teachings and history. I want to continue volunteering, learning, and doing my best to be a helpful member of the community as I put these Jewish values into action.

Ryan Kirsch

Terumah
Saturday, February 21, 2026

Throughout preparing for my bar mitzvah, I have made great friends and I have seen that this community is built from really good people. The strong and supportive community is what I love most about being Jewish.

Becoming a bar mitzvah is an important milestone for me because it continues the transition from my Poppa to my Dad and now to me. It is a big turning point that has taken so much time and effort to achieve. This journey has changed me because I now have a core group of Jewish friends I can count on and hang with.

For my mitzvah project I chose to help a feral cat charity by building cat shelters for feral cats in Charlotte. This was meaningful to me because we had a feral cat in our backyard for several years who was awesome. He protected our chickens. I was happy to help other cats like Leroy.

I am looking forward to celebrating many more Jewish holidays with my family, and being able to understand more of the Hebrew prayers.

 

 

 

Milo Dombrowski

Yitro
Saturday, February 7, 2026

The things I love most about being Jewish are the family traditions. Whether it is eating special foods for a holiday or lighting the candles on the menorah, it feels very special to repeat the same rituals each year with family and close friends.

As I become a bar mitzvah, this milestone shows me that Judaism is important to me and to my identity. Now that I am becoming a Jewish adult, it is my responsibility to help carry on the traditions of my family that make Jewish culture so meaningful.

Through my preparation for this day, I have learned that when I put my mind to something and work hard, I can succeed. This journey has taught me about responsibility and about holding myself accountable.

My mitzvah project is with the Friendship Circle, an amazing and inclusive space in Charlotte where children with special needs go to build friendships. I have joined the Junior Teen Friends training program and will work with Ben to plan a big Sunday Sports program for their community this spring. This project represents the Jewish value of kindness, chesed.

As I step into Jewish adulthood, I plan to continue learning about Jewish culture, celebrating traditions, enjoying Jewish foods, and being active in the Jewish community. In the future, I am excited about the possibility of going to Israel one day and experiencing Jewish community there.



Benjamin Shapiro

Yitro
Saturday, February 7, 2026

One thing I love about being Jewish is all the special foods we have. My personal favorite is my Buddy’s latkes. They are really good.

Becoming bar mitzvah means a lot to me because it means I am considered an adult in God’s eyes and can take on new responsibilities. While studying my Torah portion, I learned that practicing a little every day helps me improve much more than trying to cram everything at once. This journey has taught me to be a harder worker and that if you want something, you have to put in the effort.

For my mitzvah project, I am working with the Junior Teen Friends program at the Friendship Circle. I joined the training program because I was inspired by the space that was created, a place where everyone feels safe being themselves. Milo and I plan to create a sports program for the kids to share the sports we love and give them opportunities to work as a team and build deeper connections through sports. This project means a lot to me because I believe every kid deserves a best friend and someone they can trust and spend time with.

As I step into Jewish adulthood, I plan to keep learning about Judaism by attending High Holy Day services and participating in prayers with my family. I am especially excited about getting my own tallit, which is a prayer shawl, and continuing to celebrate Jewish holidays together as a family.

Elizabeth Filanowicz

B'shalach
Saturday, January 31, 2026

The thing I love most about being Jewish is the sense of community. Whenever I need help, I know there are people who will show up for me, and they do so with kindness and generosity. Being part of a community where people care for one another makes me proud to be Jewish.

Becoming a Bat Mitzvah is a big milestone for me. It is something that happens only once in a lifetime, and it represents an important step toward maturity and responsibility.

Through preparing for today, I discovered that I am capable of more than I sometimes realize. The process was not always easy, and standing up here in front of everyone took courage. Still, I feel a deep sense of pride in what I have learned and in what I was able to accomplish.

For my mitzvah project, I volunteered with Common Heart to help distribute food to people in need. That experience showed me how powerful it is when people come together to help others. I saw how much we were able to accomplish because so many people were working toward the same goal, and it reminded me that small acts, when shared, can make a real difference.

As I continue my Jewish journey, I will practice my Judaism by living out our values, continuing to learn, and acting with responsibility, compassion, and care for others.

Nancy Naman

B'shalach
Saturday, January 31, 2026

Today marks an important step in my life as I become a bat mitzvah. As I enter this new stage in the Jewish community, I am excited to take on greater responsibility, including being more involved in community events and volunteering in new ways.

Preparing for my bat mitzvah taught me the importance of being responsible for myself and for what truly matters to me. One way I practiced this was by setting aside time to work on my Torah portion and holding myself accountable for consistent practice.

For my bat mitzvah project, I took part in several meaningful efforts. I helped raise money for my orchestra by handing out flyers, crocheted scarves to keep people warm during the winter, and volunteered for a day at the Humane Society of Charlotte. Each of these experiences gave me a sense of accomplishment, the joy of helping others, and a deeper appreciation for animals.

I would also like to thank everyone for being here today to celebrate with Lizzy and me. One of the things I love most about being Jewish is that it encourages us to be ourselves. As I am called to the bimah today, I plan to embrace that value and carry it forward into this next chapter of my life.



Dylan Braun

Bo
Saturday, January 24, 2026

My favorite part about being Jewish is the strong sense of identity and community it provides. Even though Charlotte’s Jewish population is small, the community feels especially supportive and welcoming. Learning about our rich history through my Bat Mitzvah journey has helped me better understand where I come from and who I am.

Becoming a Bat Mitzvah means taking on more responsibility in my family and community. It also means being more accountable for my actions and choices. For my mitzvah project, I volunteered at Friendship Circle because I enjoy being with young children and wanted to learn more about disabilities. Through this experience, I am able to form meaningful connections with children with disabilities. As I enter Jewish adulthood, I plan to keep my strong Jewish identity, to continue learning about Judaism, attending services, and celebrating Jewish holidays with my family and friends.

Lincoln Muns

Shemot
Saturday, January 10, 2026

What I love most about being Jewish is the community that surrounds me. From attending services on Shabbat to Religious School on Sundays, I appreciate celebrating holidays with friends and sharing meals together for Rosh HaShanah, Chanukah, and Passover. Holidays feel better and more meaningful when I celebrate them with other people.

Becoming a bar mitzvah symbolizes that I am taking on more responsibility, making more of my own choices, and stepping into adulthood through Jewish tradition. For my mitzvah project, I picked up trash along the greenway because I wanted to help clean up our city and hopefully inspire other people to do the same, so that more and more of us take care of our community. I am excited to keep growing as a Jew and to keep helping my community in the future.

 

 

 

Graham Steinschriber

Miketz
Saturday, December 20, 2025

The thing I love most about being Jewish is celebrating the holidays with my family and with other families we are close to. Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur are my favorites because we spend real time together, share great food, and feel the meaning of the holidays as a community. Becoming a bar mitzvah makes me feel ready to take on more responsibility in our community.

As I prepared for this day, I learned a lot about myself. Through Sheva, which is the seventh-grade learning program at Temple Beth El, and through my Hebrew studies, I discovered how much I enjoy learning Jewish history and understanding why we do the things we do. For my service hours, I helped with a few different projects, especially collecting food for people in need. Doing that made me realize how many people in the world need help and how important it is for all of us to pitch in. We need a lot more of that to make the world better. I am excited to keep learning, keep helping, and stay connected to my Jewish community as I grow.

Gabriel Allen

Vayeishev
Saturday, December 13, 2025

The thing that I love most about being Jewish is the food at our holiday celebrations like challah and matzah ball soup. Becoming Bar Mitzvah means I get to participate in my traditions, see my family, and try some wine.

Preparing for my Bar Mitzvah took a lot of work, but I am proud of what I learned. My Bar Mitzvah project was to prepare meals for needy Jewish families. I chose this project because it makes me feel good to help others. As a Jewish person, it is important to me to continue helping people and I look forward to doing that in my future.

Zachary Negrin

Vayishlach
Saturday, December 6, 2025

I love celebrating the holidays with my family because the food is always amazing. Whether it is Rosh HaShanah, Sukkot, Chanukah, or Passover, there is always something delicious on the table and a chance to be together. Becoming a Bar Mitzvah is a huge milestone in my Jewish life. I know there are other important moments ahead and I am excited for all of them.

This process has taught me that I can accomplish and learn so much when I put my energy and effort toward something and really try. I am looking forward to continuing my education with Hebrew High, becoming a madrich, attending services, and celebrating the holidays that shape who I am and who I hope to become.

Ruby Negrin

Vayishlach
Saturday, December 6, 2025

My favorite thing about being Jewish is definitely the community and all the friends I’ve made in religious school. Becoming a Bat Mitzvah feels like leveling up… more responsibility, but also more meaning. I learned that studying Torah was harder than I expected. I had to slow down, listen, and go line by line until it finally clicked.

I’m excited to keep learning in Hebrew High, celebrate my friends’ Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, and keep enjoying the holidays with my family.

Hudson Harouni

Toldot
Saturday, November 22, 2025

I love being Jewish because of our wonderful community that is accepting of all kinds and is a place where I can relate to my roots. Temple Beth El is a place of learning, community, and understanding. This synagogue has been an important part of my family’s life since we moved to Charlotte.

As a Bar Mitzvah, this is a new chapter of my life where I truly understand the power of community and learning about my Jewish heritage. I have discovered that being Jewish is unique, that we are a tiny but mighty population and that we have learned to take care of ourselves, our communities and beyond.

For my Mitzvah Project, I chose to collect food for people in need, especially during this time when many have lost basic funding for food essentials.

As I step into Jewish adulthood, I’m excited to help younger students as they prepare for their bar or bat mitzvah and act as a role model for them. I am excited to explore my heritage further as it is a complex one, especially my father’s Iranian family heritage and my mother’s Bosnian history.

Ava Berse

Vayeira
Saturday, November 8, 2025

Being Jewish has always been a big part of me and something I’ve always been proud of. I love celebrating the holidays with my parents and family. Becoming a bat-mizvah means a lot to me because all my life from starting Hebrew school, to my first tutoring session, this has been a big goal and it feels very fulfilling to finally complete it. Everything I’ve done in the Jewish community has led up to this.

Preparing for my bat-mitzvah has been a lot of work from writing all my speeches, to learning my torah portion. But I’ve stuck through it and I’m so excited to turn into this new chapter of my life.

Kai Wenger

Vayeira
Saturday, November 8, 2025

What I love about being Jewish is the traditions and the sense of community. Also, I love spending the holidays with my family. As I become a Bar Mitzvah, this milestone means I have a new found sense of responsibilities towards my Jewish community and my family.

Through my preparation for today, I have discovered that I am smarter and more dedicated having achieved this huge milestone and it has greatly built my confidence. My Mitzvah project was collecting donations and making blankets for the Humane Society of Charlotte. I chose this project because of my love for animals. From this experience I learned the satisfaction of taking care of vulnerable animals.

As I step into Jewish adulthood, I plan to continue learning about Judaism and living a Jewish life through Sheva, Liberty, joining a Jewish Fraternity and creating a Jewish Family.

Adrian Jacobs

Lech-L'cha
Saturday, November 1, 2025

What I love most about being Jewish is celebrating the holidays and traditions with my family. Whether it’s lighting the menorah, eating matzah, or gathering for a big meal, those moments remind me how meaningful it is to be part of something bigger than myself. Becoming a Bar Mitzvah means taking on more responsibility and beginning a new stage in my Jewish life. I’ve learned that if I stay focused and work hard, I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. For my mitzvah project, I volunteered with The Bulb and Crisis Assistance Ministry, two organizations that help provide food and clothing to people in need. It felt good to know I could make a difference in someone’s life. I plan to keep learning about Judaism by celebrating our traditions with my family, coming to Temple, and exploring Jewish life as I travel and see new parts of the world.

Lucas Nowick

Lech-L'cha
Saturday, November 1, 2025

My favorite part about being Jewish is the food and the time spent with family. Whether it’s eating matzah, finding the afikomen, or having everyone come over to celebrate together, those moments make our traditions so special. What I love about Judaism is that it’s not only ancient, but also relevant today. It’s something that feels both old and new at the same time. For my mitzvah project, I collected school supplies for OurBridge for Kids, an organization that helps refugee and immigrant families who are new to Charlotte. It reminded me of my Torah portion, because just like Abram, these families left their own country to start a new life in a new place. I plan to keep learning about Judaism by coming to Temple with my family, and I’m excited to travel to Israel one day to explore my Jewish identity even more.

Evelyn Berman

Noach
Saturday, October 25, 2025

I love the big Jewish holidays like Rosh HaShanah, Chanukah, and Passover, when my family comes together for dinners filled with laughter, great food, and tradition. Becoming a Bat Mitzvah makes me both excited and a little nervous because it means taking on new responsibilities and growing into Jewish adulthood. I am looking forward to becoming a madrichain our community, helping younger students, being a role model, and showing that I can be responsible for myself and for others. This experience has taught me to give my best effort, to stay organized, and to keep working each week toward goals that matter. For my mitzvah project, I volunteered with Compassion Closet, which collects clothes for families in need. As I step into this new stage of Jewish life, I am excited to keep learning, to be part of BBYO and LIBERTY, and to help make Religious School a fun and welcoming place for younger kids. I can’t wait to build new friendships, strengthen my connection to the Jewish community, and keep finding ways to bring kindness and joy into the world.

David Prosnitz

Noach
Saturday, October 25, 2025

I love Judaism because Shabbat gives me a reason to make Friday nights truly special. I also love the positive, welcoming community and of course, the food. Becoming a Bar Mitzvah means taking on new responsibilities and starting to grow into adulthood, even if I’m not quite ready for all of it yet. Through my preparation, I’ve learned that I’m a lot like Luke Skywalker: I pick things up quickly, but I still have plenty to learn. This journey has shown me what it feels like to take responsibility and to manage the stress that comes with it. For my mitzvah project, I volunteered throughout Charlotte’s Jewish community and at URJ Camp Coleman. From these experiences, I discovered that helping others can actually be meaningful and fun at the same time. I want to continue participating in services, becoming a madrich, and getting involved with LIBERTY. I also hope to keep learning about Judaism and to travel to Israel one day.

Eli Sherman

Bereshit
Saturday, October 18, 2025

Hi I’m Eli Sherman and one of the many things I like about being Jewish is making memories with family when we celebrate the holidays. For my Mitzvah Project, I volunteered at the animal shelter and had a lemonade stand to raise money for the shelter.

After my bar mitzvah I will continue to learning about being a Jew by going to services and attending Sheva. I am excited to be confirmed in a few years as well, and to continue to learn more about Jewish culture and holidays. I hope to someday host my own seder.

Will Hurst

Bereshit
Saturday, October 18, 2025

The thing I love most about being Jewish is going to services and being with my family. I love the Temple Beth El community because of how kind and supportive everyone is. As I become a Bar Mitzvah I learned that I can do anything if I try hard enough and practice. When I first started, I didn’t think I would make it to where I am today.  For my mitzvah project, I volunteered at Shalom Green (Shalom Park’s Community Garden), helped at my old elementary school, and assisted in a duathlon. I will continue my Jewish education by going to services, attending Sheva and next year signing up for Hebrew High. I also plan to sign up to be a tutor and help people learn the prayers for them to become B’nei mitzvah.