Mitzvah Project Ideas

Description of Organization:
The National Council of Jewish Women is a volunteer organization that has been at the forefront of social change for over a century. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW courageously takes a progressive stance on issues such as child welfare, women's rights, and reproductive freedom. Founded in 1893 by Hannah G. Solomon, the National Council of Jewish Women is the oldest national Jewish women's volunteer organization in America. With over a century long history, purposeful mission and dedicated members in communities across the nation, the National Council of Jewish Women continues to make an impact on vital issues affecting women in all walks of life.

Bnai Mitzvah Projects or Volunteer Opportunities offered by the organization for children ages 11 - 13:
Volunteer at the thrift store sorting donations and organizing the clothing racks. Hold a clothing drive.

Description of Organization:
NTSAD is dedicated to the treatment and prevention of Tay-Sachs, Canavan and related genetic diseases, and to provide information and support services to individuals and families affected by these diseases, as well as the public at-large. The strategies for achieving these goals include public and professional education, research, genetic screening, family services and advocacy.

Bnai Mitzvah Projects or Volunteer Opportunities offered by the organization for children ages 11 - 13:
Students are encouraged to raise awareness about the importance of genetic screening for common Ashkenazi Jewish diseases. Especially for inter-faith couples because common Ashkenazi Jewish diseases occur in other communities as well.

Description of Organization:

The National Youth Rights Association (NYRA) defends the civil and human rights of young people in the United States by educating people about youth rights, empowering young people to work on their own behalf in defense of their rights, and taking positive steps to lessen the burden of ageism. Many of today’s youth feel alienated and isolated from society. This stems from the way adolescence has been artificially extended which keeps young people excluded from the world around them. NYRA is a national youth-led organization with over 10,000 members and with chapters in a dozen states. We protect student rights, fight age discrimination, repeal government curfews and support lowering the voting and drinking ages. Our chapters engage in grassroots organizing to improve their communities based on NYRA's overall goals and mission. The national office supports these chapters by providing our perspective on youth rights issues in the national media, connecting youth-led chapters with established organizational partners, seeding local campaigns, and acting as a hub for a network of active, local organizations seeking to improve the way youth are viewed and treated.

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

There are a number of potential B'Nai Mitzfah projects that could be done in conjunction with the National Youth Rights Association. For starters, you could get involved with your local NYRA Chapter. If you don't have a local chapter then you could start one! Our grassroots chapters are youth-led and supported by a national network of similar chapters and a national office located in D.C. that is 100% committed to supporting the work of our chapters. Once involved with a chapter there are endless possibilities for Mitzfah projects. We encourage our members to take a look at their communities. Are young people being discriminated against? Are they being unfairly targeted? Does your local public school encourage student involvement in decision making? Do students attend school board meetings? Are there any policies at the school or in your community that violate the rights of youth? Ask yourself these questions and if you don't like the answers – then there is something you can do and the National Youth Rights Association can help. Our Zionsville, Indiana chapter recently won substantive victories for student rights in their local school district, our Southeast Florida chapter is suing the city of West Palm Beach over their town’s curfew law, our new Central New Jersey chapter is organizing rallies in protest of new potentially dangerous and discriminatory driving restrictions, and our Austin, Texas chapter protested outside the Texas Board of Education regarding their new textbook standards. In the past, NYRA members at chapters in California, Washington state, Maryland, Maine, Texas, Minnesota, New York, and Florida have worked to support legislation to lower voting age – many earning key legislative and organizational endorsements.

Description of Organization:
Nefesh achat B'Yisrael works with women who are pregnant and in crisis. Social workers and public health nurses throughout the country refer women to our service. The organization provides emotional support and financial aid to women and their families during the pregnancy and for several months following the birth. In 2006 we established a Mother and Infant Center where we host activities for mothers and their infants and enable them to learn about infant development and behavior, while learning to take of themselves and take on a healthy life style.

Bnai Mitzvah Projects or Volunteer Opportunities offered by the organization for children ages 11 - 13:
With the expansion of our Mother and Infant Center, we are interested in establishing a lending library of toys and books for children 0-12 months old. Perhaps a Bnai Mitzvah project could include collecting toys and picture books. Another project that might be of interest, is collecting baby clothing and blankets or quilts, which could be homemade.

Description of Organization:

NACOEJ, a non-profit organization founded in 1982, is the only major American organization exclusively committed to the welfare of Ethiopian Jews in Ethiopia and Israel.  NACOEJ provides support for approximately 10,000 Jews still in Ethiopia through the School Lunch Program, a Jewish day school, adult education and employment programs and religious facilities.  In Israel, NACOEJ helps Ethiopians achieve successful absorption through educational programs that aid young Ethiopians from elementary school through college.  NACOEJ Limudiah After-School Programs provide educational assistance and nutritious lunches for Ethiopian elementary school children.  NACOEJ supports Ethiopian high school and college students through scholarships that help them afford the costs of secondary and higher education.

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

NACOEJ's Bar/Mitzvah Twinning Program, School Supply Collection Program and Mitzvah Projects offer opportunities for Bnai Mitzvah students to get to know and help their underprivileged Ethiopian-Israeli peers.  

Description of Organization:
Ocean's Harbor House is a safe haven for youth, ages 10-21 who have runaway, are homeless, or have been abused, neglected or abandoned. Our agency advocates for the safety & welfare of all youth, and wherever appropriate, promotes family reunification. This organization is committed to providing quality services that respond to the growing and changing needs of youth and families in the Jersey Shore region. We are joined in our commitment by a variety of partners and friends who provide financial support through grants and donations, those who volunteer their services and skills, and those who help fill our Wish Lists by donating food, clothing, school supplies, recreation passes, craft supplies, furnishings, and office supplies. This collaboration throughout the years has enabled Ocean's Harbor House to become a strong voice for the needs of troubled youth and families. This also allows us to provide all of our services free and confidential.

Bnai Mitzvah Projects or Volunteer Opportunities offered by the organization for children ages 11 - 13:
Ocean's Harbor House depends on collections of toiletries, arts & craft supplies, movie night baskets and household products. Gardening and other volunteer opportunities are available. Ocean's Harbor House holds a Peer Leadership Group on Tuesday evenings from 7-8 PM where teens learn leadership skills and plan their own volunteer activities.

Description of Organization:
The agency's mission is to provide social services and mental health services to the Jewish community of NYC. All Jews whether affiliated or not will be served. Ohel Bais Ezra's mission is to ensure that services are provided professionally and competently, meeting all standards and regulations. Their mission and mandate is to develop services that may otherwise not be available to their constituents given their emphasis on meeting the cultural needs of the Jewish community. Ohel was created in 1969 to provide homes and families for abandoned, neglected, abused, and disabled Jewish children. Ohel cares for more than 3000 people in a variety of programs that include: residential care for disabled children and adults in residences; foster care for children who have been abused or neglected; free counseling and crisis intervention services; domestic abuse shelters and counseling program; pedophile treatment program; Mobile Outreach Team providing emergency counseling services; camp for children with disabilities; lifetime care foundation which provides guardianship advocacy and case management for Jewish adults with disabilities beyond the lifetimes of their parents; supported employment program for adults with emotional disabilities; outpatient services for adults with mental illness; services to adolescents at risk; services to children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Bnai Mitzvah Projects or Volunteer Opportunities offered by the organization for children ages 11 - 13:
There are so many ways for you to incorporate your simcha with children and families in Ohel Bais Ezra by collecting gifts for their birthdays, getting them toiletries (such as shampoo, toothpaste, etc), having you and your friends go to a game with the children. You can volunteer your time with someone in need such as tutoring, babysitting being a pen pal. When you call the volunteer department Ohel Bais Ezra will help you find the best way for you to use your skills to help benefit those in need.

Description of Organization:
One Family Fund was created in response to the ongoing tragedies caused by terrorism affecting families and children in Israel. One Family provides emergency and long-term support for physical and emotional health, education, housing, and other needs of survivors and their families. Since One Family was founded, more than 1,300 Israelis have lost their lives. Nearly nine times that many people have suffered injuries. 900 children have lost one or both parents. For Israel's victims of terror, the attack is only the beginning point. Every day after is a constant struggle to rebuild their shattered lives. One Family supports more than 2,500 families who have been struck by terror. We provide them with financial and emotional support, long after the press has disappeared.

Bnai Mitzvah Projects or Volunteer Opportunities offered by the organization for children ages 11 - 13:
One Family Fund arranges Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations and twinnings for hundreds of orphans and bereaved siblings who were victims of terror attacks. We count on many committed young Jewish Boys and Girls to help make the dreams come true for their counterparts in Israel. We try to arrange ongoing relationships and continued communication between the children here in the USA and their counterparts in Israel.

Description of Organization:
One Heart is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization started by victims of terrorism to help other victims of terror - SURVIVORS HEALING SURVIVORS. One Heart is dedicated to helping victims of terror across the globe to overcome long lasting terror induced psychological and physical trauma. One Heart offers assistance for plastic surgery and other long term needs that are often not covered by insurance. One Heart also works with children who have lost parents due to terrorism.
One Heart is committed to each victim of a terror attack through our global network. They also raise public consciousness of the often unmet needs of victims of terrorism.
They currently work directly with London, Madrid, Australia (Bali victims), United States (9/11 and Oklahoma City) and Israel.

Bnai Mitzvah Projects or Volunteer Opportunities offered by the organization for children ages 11 - 13:
There are a number of projects that a Bnai Mitvah can assist with including raising funds for plastic surgery and other physical injuries, supporting group meetings, psychological care for a victim and/or family, camp for children who have lost parents and/or siblings, and other ideas we can discuss. One Heart would like the Bnai Mitzvah Project to be something personal to the person who is helping us so we would talk to the family and see how exactly they would like to help and offer ideas for them.

Description of Organization:
Operation Embrace (OE) offers assistance to injured survivors of terror in Israel. With the expert guidance from social workers throughout Israel and Bituach Leumi (Israel's National Insurance Agency), Operation Embrace helps all people who have been violated by random acts of terror and does not discriminate by race or religion. Operation Embrace provides emotional, as well as direct financial assistance for medical, therapeutic and rehabilitative needs to provide Israeli victims and survivors of terror with a brighter future and help them rebuild their lives.

Bnai Mitzvah Projects or Volunteer Opportunities offered by the organization for children ages 11 - 13:
Bar/Bat Mitzvah gifts, purchasing laptops or other items for terror victims, sponsoring outings for children that are victims of terror, sponsoring a specific family need, visiting families while traveling in Israel, classes or individuals can write letters to victims, adopting families (letter writing, regular phone calls, etc). They are also focusing on the city of Sderot and its residents and is offering many different kinds of opportunities for Bnei Mitzvah students to get involved with Sderot.

Description of Organization:
Operation Noah is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created by Dennis Fries, a teenager from Chandler, Arizona, when he was only thirteen-years-old. While undergoing medical tests, Dennis discovered the need for something to comfort youth hospital patients. Nothing comforts children more than a soft, cuddly stuffed animal. With this in mind, Operation Noah was started, so that no child will have to undergo a hospital visit without a new little friend by their side. After it began in August of 2004, Operation Noah became widespread as stuffed animals were donated from left and right.
Operation Noah's mission is to expand and set up at least one chapter in each state throughout the nation because there are hospitalized children everywhere and the need for comfort will never end.

Bnai Mitzvah Projects or Volunteer Opportunities offered by the organization for children ages 11 - 13:
One of the biggest things Operation Noah is looking forward to is expansion to other cities. By doing this, hospitalized children will be comforted not only in Arizona, but all across the United States. To have this accomplished, Operation Noah needs the help of Bnai Mitzvah students such as you. Operation Noah would like to be able to have a strong foundation of children in other states and cities to be able to have drop off locations in their areas. For more information on joining the Operation Noah crew, you can e-mail Dennis Fries at operationnoah@cox.net.

Description of Organization:
Or LaChayal was established in 2005, by Rabbi Menachem Ofen in Israel, to take on a leading role in building the emotional and spiritual success of the soldiers of the Israel Defense Force. We are out there in the trenches with the members of the IDF offering all sorts of uplifting social and spiritual programs. Or Lachayal works in partnership with the IDF and Friends of the IDF. Please watch this YouTube video, to get a glimpse into the remarkable work that we do: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpqeeFgiHUU. Please email me and I will be glad to email you some more info.

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

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