Planning any event involves making decisions-where to hold it, what to serve, who to invite. But a bar or bat mitzvah often includes a mitzvah project that goes with it, which also must be decided. There are so many choices, though. How do you even start thinking about it? Here are some ideas:

1. Fundraise

Think of an issue that moves you. Then find a worthy organization working to solve that issue. You can ask your guests to donate directly to that organization instead of giving you a gift, or you can take some of the money you get as gifts and donate that yourself. You could also throw them a fundraiser-they’ll even help.

2. Collect

People need things! Help them get them! You can collect and donate so many things-books, clothes, luggage, school supplies, toiletries, art supplies, sports equipment-and on and on. But first contact an organization and find out what they need. Your rubber band collection? You can keep that for yourself.

3. Teach

Do you know how to use a guitar or spatula or baseball bat or sewing machine? Then you can teach someone else, or lots of someone-elses, how to do it too. Many people want to learn a new language, or how to use technology, or even just how to read or write. Teaching someone a skill is rewarding for both the student and the teacher-that’s you.

4. Write

With just words and paper, you can make a huge difference. Organize a letter-writing campaign to support a cause you believe in. Then send the letters to someone in the government who handles that matter. Or, you can write to a group that would love to have your support, like American or Israeli soldiers or kids in hospitals.

5. Read

Just sitting with someone and reading them a book or magazine can be a mitzvah. Especially if that person has a hard time reading, or even just holding a book. Then you can talk about what you read. Reading with people is a great way to make friends by making them happy.

6. Shovel

Or rake or mow or weed. Find someone who has a hard time taking care of their yard and do it for them or with them. You can also do this for many organizations and schools. They will appreciate it, and the whole neighborhood will look nicer.

7. Clean

The world’s a dirty place-help clean it up! You can pick up trash in your neighborhood, around your school or library, at the beach or a park-and organize a group to do it with you. Or you can find someone who needs help cleaning their home and give them a hand (and mop).

8. Declutter

Remember how we said earlier that people need things? Well, some people need-fewer things. Some people have a hard time getting rid of stuff, and you can help them go through everything and decide what to keep, what to donate-and what to just toss.

9. Walk

Walkathons raise both money and awareness for causes. But you can also hold a bikeathon, or swimathon, or an “athon” for any kind of exercise, sport, or activity. Have the participants get sponsors and ask for a certain amount of money for a certain number of miles or laps. Make it something challenging that takes an afternoon, though. A hold-your-breath-athon would be over too quickly.

10. Care

Even if you are not old enough to babysit, maybe you can pet-sit! Taking care of an animal on a regular basis is challenging but fun and rewarding. And you might prove to your parents than you are responsible enough to have a pet of your own.

11. Garden

Tending a flower or vegetable garden is a lot of work, but some people have a hard time doing it and need help. The reward is so great-beautiful blooms and healthy dinners. Working on a garden also teaches you many other skills, like planning, math, chemistry, and biology. And then maybe you get to learn to cook what you grow!

12. Craft

You might already make some sort of artwork or craft project. You can turn this into a mitzvah in so many ways. You can make things people need, like warm scarves, and donate them. You can sell things you make, and then donate the money. Or you can beautify your school, library, or congregation.

13. Volunteer

Still don’t know what you want to do? Find an organization that works on a problem that you care about, contact them, and just say: “I want to help! What can I do?” Many organizations even have a list on their website of things they need done by volunteers. You may find yourself doing something you never even knew you were good at!

JUF has a whole team of people helping connect bar and bat mitzvah-aged teens with the projects and causes they care about. Go to www.juf.org/teens/TOV_About.aspx to learn more, and get started!