Becoming a bar or bat mitzvah is a joyful and meaningful moment — a celebration of who you are and the impact you can make. As you step into Jewish adulthood, you have the opportunity to embrace tikkun olam — repairing the world — by creating a fundraising project with the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. It’s a powerful way to honor your milestone and help build a brighter future for others.
STEP 1: CHOOSE A CAUSE THAT INSPIRES YOU
Whether it’s helping other kids get to Jewish summer camp, supporting Holocaust survivors, fighting hunger, standing up to antisemitism, keeping our community safe, showing your love for Israel, or giving back in a bigger way — your mitzvah project can spark real change.
No matter which cause you choose, you’ll be doing something that matters — making a lasting impact on your community and helping people near and far.
Click below to explore each cause and how your project can help.
As you prepare to enter adulthood, this mitzvah project will allow you to support the whole Jewish community: from helping those in need to supporting Israel to combating antisemitism and securing our collective Jewish future.
ABOUT OUR WORK
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is here for the community before it needs to ask. From a child going to Jewish day camp or school to a family receiving food assistance to a congregation feeling secure in its place of worship to a person finding safety in crisis, we are here.
Since 1901, we have mobilized financial and volunteer resources to address the communities’ most critical priorities: Caring for Those in Need Locally, Supporting Israel and Global Jewry, and Securing a Vibrant Jewish Future.
If you love Jewish summer camp then this is the mitzvah project for you. As you know, camp is a time of fun, friends and opportunities to explore your Jewish identity. However, for some, the financial cost of Jewish summer camp can be too high for them to attend. This mitzvah project will help you support financial aid scholarships so children from lower income families can also experience the joys of Jewish day and overnight camp.
ABOUT OUR WORK TO SUPPORT JEWISH SUMMER CAMP
Financial Aid Assistance
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia believes every child who wants to attend Jewish summer camp should have the ability to experience it, regardless of financial background.
The Jewish Federation is committed to removing the financial barriers of Jewish camp by offering need-based scholarships for families who earn $200,000 per year or less in household income. In-state Jewish day and overnight camps receive this funding from the Jewish Federation to distribute to their campers in need.
These summer experiences are vital to the development of children by providing a welcoming space, where campers can create enduring friendships and cultivate strong Jewish identities. By ensuring all children who want to participate in Jewish life have access to it, the Jewish Federation upholds the Jewish value of l’dor v’dor, from generation to generation – ensuring Jewish continuity by passing along the traditions and the resiliency of those before us.
As part of our next generation, you have the opportunity to ensure that the memory of the Holocaust is never forgotten. This mitzvah project will help our remaining Holocaust Survivors live out their lives in dignity.
ABOUT OUR WORK TO SUPPORT HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS
Holocaust Survivors: Aging with Dignity
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia believes that Holocaust Survivors should live out their lives in dignity. Right now, the world’s remaining Holocaust Survivors face disproportionate rates of poverty and food insecurity, many being forced to choose between heating their homes and buying food, or between medication and home repairs.
The Jewish Federation provides funding for organizations to address the holistic needs of Holocaust Survivors, including medical, socialization and basic needs. In addition, the Jewish Federation leads initiatives to educate, commemorate and advocate on and about the Holocaust to ensure that the Greater Philadelphia community never forgets about the atrocities of the past and so that history doesn’t repeat itself.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner is not guaranteed for all people. This mitzvah project will allow you to ensure that all people have access to nutritious food, reinforcing the idea that food security is right and not a privilege.
ABOUT OUR WORK TO COMBAT HUNGER
Mitzvah Food Program
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia believes that nutritious food is a right, not a privilege.
Since 1996, the Mitzvah Food Program has served thousands of food insecure individuals and families in Greater Philadelphia. Operating out of four pantry sites in Old York Road, Main Line, Bucks County, and Northeast, recipients can select their own fresh, frozen, and nonperishable food with kosher options through a points system that incentivizes healthier eating.
This vital work is part of the Jewish Federation’s commitment to Care for Those in Need Locally, which upholds the Jewish value of “Ve’ahavta le’reyakha kamokha”or “Love Your Neighbor As Thyself.”
With the surge of antisemitism, it is time to stand up to this hate. This mitzvah project allows you to help combat antisemitism, creating a safer, more inclusive and respectful world for your friends, family and community.
ABOUT OUR WORK TO COMBAT ANTISEMITISM
Center to Combat Antisemitism
In response to the unprecedented surge of antisemitism in the U.S. since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia launched the Center to Combat Antisemitism.
Led by its Jewish Community Relations Council and in partnership with local Jewish agencies, the Center combats antisemitism in Greater Philadelphia through education, litigation, legislation, allyship and community mobilization.
As part of our commitment to Securing a Vibrant Jewish Future, the Jewish Federation upholds the value of ezrachut or civic engagement by advocating for the needs, safety and livelihoods of the Jewish people.
We know you care about the safety of your congregation, camp and Jewish community. This mitzvah project allows you to help keep your friends, family and community safe.
ABOUT OUR WORK TO PROTECT YOUR JEWISH COMMUNITY
Communal Security: LiveSecure
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is here to secure and safeguard the community by proactively preparing for and immediately responding to incidents of antisemitism and hate. As part of the commitment to Securing a Vibrant Jewish Future, the Jewish Federation upholds the value of pikuach nefesh, saving a life.
The LiveSecure initiative supports this partnership with SCN, providing security trainings, resources and guidance that protect over 190 Jewish institutions across Greater Philadelphia, including schools, summer camps and social service agencies.
In enacting this precept, the Jewish Federation works with its partners at the Secure Community Network (SCN), the official safety and security organization for the Jewish community in North America, and the official liaison to the FBI and Homeland Security.
As a proud Jew, you can help support your fellow Jews in Israel and across the world. Through this mitzvah project, you will raise funds that support programs that create deep connections with Israel as well as ensure the country’s safety, security, prosperity and existence as a homeland for all Jews.
ABOUT OUR WORK TO SUPPORT ISRAEL & GLOBAL JEWRY
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia firmly believes in the Jewish value of “Kol Yisrael arevim zeh la-zeh” or “All Jews are responsible for one another.” No matter the geographic distance, we are intrinsically linked and connected to the Jewish homeland and to Jews around the world.
Through the Jewish Federation’s deep partnership with Israel, including its Partnership2Gether regions of Netivot and Sdot Negev which border Gaza, the organization vets, assesses, and funds year-round needs that promote equity, Jewish pluralism, and security and resilience. The Jewish Federation is also there to support and uplift our remaining Jewish communities around the world by funding programs that enhance their Jewish life, instill pride, provide basic everyday needs, and deploy rescue and relief services in times of crisis.
STEP 2: PARENTAL CONSENT
Please have your parent(s) or guardian fill out this form that grants permission for you sharing information and completing a b’nai mitzvah project with the Jewish Federation.
STEP 3: LET US KNOW ABOUT YOU AND YOUR PROJECT
After the parental approval form is completed, you and your parent/guardian will receive an automatic email with a secondary form to fill out. In this form, you can let us know more about you and which project you would like to do for your bar or bat mitzvah.
We will use this information to create your own webpage that you can send out to your friends, family and community to support your bar or bat mitzvah project.
STEP 4: Promote your project
After submitting the secondary form, you will receive an email from bnaimitzvah@jewishphilly.org within 5-7 business days with your fundraising webpage and a Canva toolkit to help you promote your project to your friends, family and community.