Your Child’s Next Great Friendship Could Be Their Mitzvah Project
Between learning prayers, practicing Torah readings, and writing a D’var Torah, preparing for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah is an exciting journey. A mitzvah project gives students another way to bring that milestone to life: rolling up their sleeves, opening their hearts, and making a difference.
And sometimes, making a difference starts with something wonderfully simple. Showing up. Spending time together and making a new friend.
That’s what makes Friendship Circle’s MVP, the Mitzvah Volunteer Program, such a beautiful opportunity for students preparing to become Bar or Bat Mitzvah. By spending time with children and teens with special needs, students can see how kindness and inclusion become real through everyday actions.
As a rabbi, I love seeing students find a mitzvah project that means something to them personally. My own daughter volunteered at Friendship Circle, so this organization holds a special place in my heart. I’m a big fan of its mission and the opportunity it gives young people to connect with others.
MVP helps students learn about volunteering and the positive impact they can have in their community. From there, students can get involved in Friendship Circle programs, build friendships, and experience the joy of giving their time and attention.
Think about what makes someone a good friend. They listen. They include you. They take an interest in what you enjoy. They make you feel welcome and valued. Those are qualities every young person can practice, and a mitzvah project centered on friendship gives them a meaningful place to start.
The wonderful thing is that students don’t need to arrive with all the answers. The program allows them to learn, ask questions, and grow. A willingness to participate and get to know someone can be the beginning of something special.
For parents, this is also a chance to help your child connect Jewish values with daily life. We talk about kindness, community, and our responsibility to others throughout the Bar and Bat Mitzvah process. Volunteering lets students explore those ideas through their own experiences.
It can also lead to thoughtful conversations at home. What did your child learn about being a friend? What helped someone feel included? What surprised them? Those reflections can deepen their understanding of what it means to take on greater responsibility as a young Jewish adult.
Rabbi Levi Shemtov and Rabbi Jason Miller at the Friendship Circle Michigan
When I work with students, I want their Bar or Bat Mitzvah to be meaningful and stress-free. Choosing a mitzvah project should be part of that positive experience. Friendship Circle’s MVP is a wonderful suggestion for a student who enjoys connecting with people or wants to learn how to become a more confident, thoughtful volunteer.
Ready to help your child turn kindness into action? Contact Friendship Circle to learn about upcoming MVP opportunities, ask questions, and find out how to get started.
Phone: (313) 549-7077
Email: volunteer@friendshipcircle.org
Registration: Sign up for Friendship Circle’s MVP program
A Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebrates a new chapter in your child’s life. Through Friendship Circle, that chapter could include new friendships, new perspectives, and the discovery that their presence can make someone else’s day brighter.
