When one New York tween decided to forgo all gifts and have guests contribute to his mitzvah project instead, he had the following message printed on a 3 X 5 card with the same paper, font and ink as the invitation. The family sent it in the same envelope as the main invitation. It read:
"Dear Family and Friends,
As I approach my Bar Mitzvah in a few weeks and become an adult in the Jewish community, I feel that it is my chance to do something for others who are less fortunate. I recently visited a pediatric intensive care unit and saw first-hand what goes into the care of very sick children. As part of my Bar Mitvzah celebration, I am choosing to raise money to purchase medical equipment for the Schneider's Children Hospital in Israel. I have always liked helping children and I feel that this mitzvah will be meaningful in many ways.
Rather than [you] giving me a gift, I would greatly appreciate it if you would help support me in my Mitzvah Project, which I am doing through the UJA-Federation's Give a Mitzvah-Do a Mitzvah program. Please make checks payable to UJA-Federation of New York (write "M-- M--'s Bar Mitzvah Project" on the memo line) and send them to UJA-Federation of NY. Thank you! M--"
As I approach my Bar Mitzvah in a few weeks and become an adult in the Jewish community, I feel that it is my chance to do something for others who are less fortunate. I recently visited a pediatric intensive care unit and saw first-hand what goes into the care of very sick children. As part of my Bar Mitvzah celebration, I am choosing to raise money to purchase medical equipment for the Schneider's Children Hospital in Israel. I have always liked helping children and I feel that this mitzvah will be meaningful in many ways.
Rather than [you] giving me a gift, I would greatly appreciate it if you would help support me in my Mitzvah Project, which I am doing through the UJA-Federation's Give a Mitzvah-Do a Mitzvah program. Please make checks payable to UJA-Federation of New York (write "M-- M--'s Bar Mitzvah Project" on the memo line) and send them to UJA-Federation of NY. Thank you! M--"
