Bar/Bat Mitzvah Project
Our Bar/Bat Mitzvah Project offers teens a meaningful opportunity to give back to the Jewish community in their neighborhood or in Israel by sponsoring a buddy bench for preschool children. Teens not only make a difference in a child’s life but also experience the rewards of philanthropy.
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It’s also a fun project. Teen get to:
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Run a mini-fundraising campaign on Binyamin’s Buddy Bench Project website to raise $200 for a bench.
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Choose the preschool – either local or in Israel – to receive the bench.
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Choose a plaque with his or her name that will be affixed to the bench.
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Receive photos of the bench once the children have decorated it.
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Receive thank you notes from the children (depending on their age).
The idea is simple. By sitting on the bench, a child sends a signal to other children that he or she wants to play. A child who notices can walk over and offer an invitation to join a game. It’s a win-win. The child on the bench plays with others, and the child who extended the offer learned how to think beyond him or herself to another person.
A buddy bench can help young children build sensitivity towards others and give and receive kindness -- skills especially critical in light of the staggering statistics on bullying. Close to 50% of 9-to-12-year-olds say they have experienced bullying at school, and students report being made fun of, called names, insulted, pushed, shoved, tripped or spit on and excluded from activities on purpose.
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Contact Binyamin's mom, Carol Gonsher, at 917-579-2836 to get started.​