Hi, My name is Jake Block and I will be Bar Mitzvahed on November 5th, 2022. I live in New York and I am in 7th grade. A part of what I do to become Bar Mitzvahed is do a mitzvah project. A mitzvah project is something to help the community in a way that is meaningful to me. I am interested in sports like baseball, hockey, golf, swimming, etc. So what I chose for my mitzvah project is to raise money for the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled (ISCD), which is located in Ramat Gan, Israel, a town outside of Tel Aviv.

What this organization does is it makes it possible for kids with all sorts of disabilities to participate in sports in ways they ordinarily wouldn’t be able to do. The ISCD is a home away from home for about 2,500 Israelis of all ages, where the unique benefits of sports are utilized to strengthen body, spirit, and mind. To me, sports is a really big part of my life because it helps me get away from stress and just have a good time doing what I love. Unfortunately, not all kids may have the same physical gifts as you or me so it may be harder to pursue their dreams than us. They may not have the resources, ability, or help as we do. Even though I have not been to The Center yet, I've seen videos and pictures of the kids playing sports and having fun. ISCD helps kids have fun in ways that fit their abilities and it is super important to me that I can get to help them enjoy sports like I do.

What I am doing to help ISCD is I am hoping to raise enough money to buy one sports wheelchair. One sports wheelchair costs 3,600 dollars. I am asking for donations of $18-36 dollars because the Hebrew letter symbol for 18 spells the word "chai" which means life. It makes me very happy to be able to support this organization because it helps kids pursue their dreams easier. It would be incredible for you to help me in reaching my goal of donating one sports wheelchair. Any donation helps!

The organization is truly amazing, and it would mean a lot to kids in Israel with disabilities and to me if you could support my mitzvah project.

Thanks, Jake