Mitzvah Project Ideas

Description of Organization:
The Jerusalem Rape Crisis Center in Memory of Linda Feldman (JRCC) provides support services to survivors of sexual violence in Jerusalem as well as prevention education around the city in schools, community centers, the military, and related professionals. Support services include a 24-hour hotline, support groups, and victim-witness assistance. JRCC was established in 1981 and continues to grow with the help of our 150 volunteers and 10 professional staff.

Bnai Mitzvah Projects or Volunteer Opportunities offered by the organization for children ages 11 - 13:
Many survivors of sexual violence in Jerusalem turn to JRCC for help, desiring therapy, but not able to afford it on their own. The Bat Mitzvah Sponsorship Program provides a Bat Mitzvah with the opportunity to sponsor a survivor in receiving psychological treatment to help her heal. Bat mitzvah sponsors donate a portion of their bat mitzvah gifts to subsidize therapy for a survivor of sexual violence. JRCC provideS subsidizes for up to one year of treatment, which costs $1440. But, a bat mitzvah sponsor decides for herself how much is appropriate to donate. Sponsors receive a formal acknowledgement of sponsorship, a certificate of sponsorship, and information and ideas for enriching their Bat Mitzvah experience through sponsorship.

Description of Organization:
J-ADD provides residential and respite services to developmentally disabled individuals and their families. Residential sites are located in Bergenfield, Englewood, Leonia, Fair Lawn, Elmwood Park, and Washington Township.

Bnai Mitzvah Projects or Volunteer Opportunities offered by the organization for children ages 11 - 13:
Visiting with the individuals at J-ADD's homes.

Description of Organization:
Since 1968, the Jewish Association for Services for the Aged (JASA) and its affiliates with its 3,000 staff and volunteers, have provided social, recreational, health, cultural and educational programs for older persons, regardless of their race, religion or ethnicity to help sustain them in their homes and communities and to offer opportunities for a better quality of life. These services are available in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Bnai Mitzvah Projects or Volunteer Opportunities offered by the organization for children ages 11 - 13:
Bnai Mitzvah projects include their PETS Project and Friendly Visiting Program(which both require parental supervision), school break placements at senior centers, off-site opportunities include telephone reassurance and organizing community pet food, greeting card, and/or holiday gift bag drives.

Description of Organization:

The Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services has a century long tradition of helping families and children - a tradition that began with its commitment to poor Jewish families and immigrants. Today, JBFCS is one of the largest mental health and social service agencies in the nation, serving more than 60,000 New Yorkers each year through 140 community based programs, residential facilities and day treatment services. The agency is dedicated to helping people of all ethnic, religious and economic backgrounds while maintaining its commitment to the needs of the Jewish community. JBFCS is one of the nation's premier private voluntary mental health and social service agencies. JBFCS has a diverse network of 140 community-based programs, residential facilities, and day-treatment programs located in the city's five boroughs as well as in Westchester County and on Long Island.

Bnai Mitzvah Projects or Volunteer Opportunities offered by the organization for children ages 11 - 13:

Join JBFCS's group of caring, dedicated, and committed young people in brightening the lives of children, adults and families in need. JBFCS's rich and rewarding menu of volunteer opportunities offers something for everyone. Opportunities include Homework Helpers, Administrative Tasks, Recreational Activities, Holiday Parties, Arts and Crafts, and more! Commitments vary from one-time events to ongoing opportunities based on individual availability. Please note that a registration or application form will need to be submitted. Interviews are required for long-term commitments. If you are interested in any of these opportunities or in finding out more about our organization, please send an email to or call Liza Kuritsky, Teen Volunteer Coordinator, at lkuritsky@jbfcs.org or at (212) 632-4515. Volunteer your crocheting or knitting skills! JBFCS needs people to knit and crochet squares that are assembled into blankets for children in need of comfort, warmth, and love. If you are interested in making blanket squares by yourself, starting a group with friends or in your school, or simply learning more about our project, send JBFCS your name and mailing address and they will send you all the information regarding patterns and needle sizes.

Description of Organization:
The mission of the Jewish Coalition for Service is to inspire everyone in our community to dedicate part of their lives to full-time, hands-on volunteering. Volunteer for a week or more with programs in the U.S., Israel, and other international locations. Opportunities are available to work with expert program staff while doing urgently needed projects -building homes or doing environmental work, being a camp counselor for kids with disabilities or working for political change, and much more.

Bnai Mitzvah Projects or Volunteer Opportunities offered by the organization for children ages 11 - 13:
Tikkun Olam Family Work Trip to Maine – Temple B’nai Abraham

Service Learning Camp – The Jewish Youth Philanthropy Institute (JYPI)

Martin Buber Summer Youth Institute for Teens

Description of Organization:

Jewish Communal Fund facilitates and promotes charitable giving through donor-advised funds. Funds can be established for adults, children or families and are an excellent way to celebrate a bar or bat mitzvah, wedding, graduation or other life cycle event. Group funds can also be created for schools or clubs. A JCF fund makes it easy for young people to continue their support of the organizations they helped as part of their mitzvah projects, and contribute to additional organizations as well. Donors may recommend grants to the IRS-qualified charities of their choice. JCF makes your giving easy and convenient with online access to your fund. Every year we award grants from the JCF Special Gifts Fund to support causes that promote the welfare and security of the Jewish community at home and abroad. Founded in 1972, Jewish Communal Fund is one of the largest independent donor-advised funds in the nation. For the fourth consecutive year, JCF has received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. To give the gift of tzedakah, visit www.jewishcommunalfund.org.

Bnai Mitzvah Projects or Volunteer Opportunities offered by the organization for children ages 11 - 13:

Our Children's Giving Fund program provides donors with the opportunity to establish a donor-advised fund on behalf of a minor to celebrate life events (e.g., Bar/Bat mitzvah, confirmation and birthdays). The fund is an excellent vehicle for involving families in tzedakah and teaching the importance of charitable giving. This program is open to children under the age of 18. Since minors cannot make grant or investment recommendations on their own, the fund functions as a "custodial" account, with an adult (parent, relative, or friend) authorized to sign all recommendations on behalf of the child. The child can view the fund online and be an active participant in making charitable decisions.

The following administrative requirements apply:
The minimum initial contribution to establish a fund is $1,800, or you may transfer this amount from an existing JCF fund. An individual family member may make the initial minimum contribution, or the fund can be opened by pooling contributions made by a number of relatives and friends. The child may include information about the establishment of the fund in the invitation, and guests can make donations to Jewish Communal Fund in honor of the child. JCF will send a tax receipt to all contributors and provide you with a record or all contributions. The minimum grant distribution is $36. The administrative fee is based on the average daily fund balance and is deducted monthly. The annual fee schedule for balances less than $5 million is .75% (75 basis points) or a minimum annual fee of $150 dollars, whichever is greater.

When the child reaches age 18, JCF will contact you for permission to transfer all the privileges of recommendation from you to the child. In the event a single fund is created for more than one child, the transition will take place when the youngest child turns 18. The fund is named for the child(ren) on whose behalf the fund was created, and the children's names are referenced on all grant recommendations.

Description of Organization:
JFVS is committed to helping individuals and families by providing social services, counseling and advocacy. Our programs include Elder day care, Kosher Meals on Wheels, Career and Vocational Services, Immigrant and Refugee services, Women's Center, Family and Children's counseling, workshops, computer and media lab training, ESL training, Holocaust survivor support services, translation and interpretation, recovery assistance, assessments, support groups, SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol) and volunteer services.

Bnai Mitzvah Projects or Volunteer Opportunities offered by the organization for children ages 11 - 13:
We run food drives throughout the year as well as a Kosher for Passover food drive in which food is packed and delivered to over 200 families in our area - Volunteers are needed to organize the Kosher Emergency Food Pantry- Office project assistance, such as collating , stuffing, filing, mailings- Friendly Visitor program ( Adopt a Bubby or Zayde)-

Description of Organization:
Multi-service social service agency serving the Jewish and non-Jewish communities of Clifton and Passaic. Programs include services for senior citizen to help them stay in their homes, programs for children with special needs and for victims of domestic violence and their families. Also general counseling and mental health services for all ages.

Bnai Mitzvah Projects or Volunteer Opportunities offered by the organization for children ages 11 - 13:
Students can create "kosher Kits" for the battered women's shelters to accommodate the needs of the Jewish women in the shelter, present them on the bima and speak about Project S.A.R.A.H.; raise funds for Project S.A.R.A.H. and/or children's programs; help at Uncle Moshe concert; usher at benefit concerts; help at Russian model seder; collect toys and toiletries for families. We need someone to organize our special needs library.

Description of Organization:
Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Bergen County and Northern Hudson offers counseling services; senior services such as Kosher Meals on Wheels (KMOW) and Friendly Visitors; and after school programming to strengthen and preserve the well-being of individuals and families, helping them meet the challenges and changes through life.

Bnai Mitzvah Projects or Volunteer Opportunities offered by the organization for children ages 11 - 13:

Description of Organization:
The Jewish Federation of Broward County is involved in providing food and shelter for the less fortunate of the community, stressing social responsibility and justice.

Bnai Mitzvah Projects or Volunteer Opportunities offered by the organization for children ages 11 - 13:
We support projects throughout the community, and help identify projects of a tikkun olam nature.

Description of Organization:
The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous (JFR) seeks to identify, honor, and support non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust. The Foundation provides monthly financial assistance to over 1,200 aged and needy Christian rescuers in 27 countries. The JFR also seeks to preserve the legacy of the Righteous and the memory of the Holocaust through its national teacher education program.

Bnai Mitzvah Projects or Volunteer Opportunities offered by the organization for children ages 11 - 13:

Description of Organization:
Jewish Funds for Justice is a national public foundation guided by Jewish history and tradition. JFSJ helps people in the United States achieve social and economic security and opportunity by investing in healthy neighborhoods, vibrant Jewish communities, and skillful leaders. Our holistic approach to social change includes grantmaking and loans, service learning, leadership development, organizing, education, and advocacy.

Bnai Mitzvah Projects or Volunteer Opportunities offered by the organization for children ages 11 - 13:
Spark: The Center for Jewish Service Learning at JFSJ offers intensive service and learning travel programs as well as local sustained service programs. Contact us if you are interested in helping arrange a program or participating.

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