Pledge 13 Promotes the Mitzvah Habit

The JFCS Robert and Marjorie Kohn Pledge 13 Class of 2011-12 has been extremely busy this year. The program, which encourages students to perform community service during the year leading up to their b’nai mitzvah, choose the projects that interest them.

Joshua VanNort worked with Operation Brightside in his Windy Hills neighborhood. He participated in their neighborhood clean-up along with his father and brother. He found that he enjoyed spending time with his neighbors and learned “that you can make your neighborhood more beautiful if you can clean it up.”

Michael Loffe performed his 13 hours of community service at an adult day care center, helping to prepare food for seniors and then passing it out to the participants.

Jordan Aberson attended the JCC’s Community Service Camp and volunteered at Gilda’s Club, the Red Cross, Dare To Care and the Ronald McDonald House.

Rebecca Carney worked at a Purim carnival at Adath Jeshurun, helping to set up games for younger participants. Rebecca found that she “really enjoyed working with younger children and playing with them.”
Zach Schwab spent two of his 13 hours helping a neighbor with fallen tree limbs after a storm. Zach said he enjoyed helping others.

Lauren Figa volunteered with Volunteers of America and “learned how to help people in need.”

Charles Bessen spent two hours cooking for firefighters and discovered that “giving back is much more fun than receiving.”

The JFCS Robert and Marjorie Kohn Pledge 13 program is designed to encourage the completion of 13 hours of community service the year a young person is celebrating his or her bar or bat mitzvah. This year, more than 30 students have made this commitment and JFCS is so proud of their accomplishments.

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