Hi, my name is Simon Stein, and I am from Atlanta Georgia.  I’m turning 13 and my Bar Mitzvah is going to be this June in Israel.

I know I am fortunate for the life and the opportunities I have, and I wanted to find a way to give back to children less fortunate than me. In honor of my Bar Mitzvah, I have decided to raise $50,000 for an at risk children’s home in Israel called The Neve Michael Children’s Village.   I will be visiting there this summer to share my Bar Mitzvah celebration with the kids of Neve Michael. Neve Michael gives a safe and nurturing place to live for kids who don’t have one. The kids there have had to leave their homes because of neglect, violence or abuse and Neve Michael is providing them with a better future and a safe place to live.  They have an outside play area/basketball court where they can run around and play, but there is no shade so the kids can’t really use their outdoor space during hot summer months. I am hoping to raise the money to install a shade awning over their outside play area, so the space can be used year round, especially during the heat of the summer.

Playing sports has always been a huge part of my life.  It helps me relax and release stress, and I want the children who live at Neve Michael to have the opportunity to play ball and be outside as much as they can.  I know from my experience that playing basketball or playing outside with your friends is a good way for kids to clear their mind and to connect with each other.  It’s also really healthy for your body and mind to be outside moving and breathing in the fresh air.

I hope you will consider helping me and being a part of this project to do something nice for these kids.   I am going to try and raise $50,000 to cover the complete cost of the new covering as well as some outdoor lights.  I know it’s a lot of money to raise, but I think it’s so important for all kids to have a safe and comfortable place to play outside and to be able to just be a kid.  I can’t wait to make new friends and play basketball with the kids there this summer. Thank you for helping me help the kids at Neve Michael have a better and happier childhood.

(Please check out their website www.nevemichael.com to see how wonderful this place is and also please look at the pictures I am including of their outdoor area now and a picture of the awning needed that I am raising money for).

Thank you!