LIVING THE FAITH
Bar mitzvah brings children’s shelter pledge
BY CHRISTIE STORM ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
ROGERS — As the first bar mitzvah for Congregation Etz Chaim in Bentonville, Andrew Winchester is leading by example and giving back to the community. For Jewish boys, the age of bar mitzvah, or the “coming of age,” is 13. Girls become bat mitzvah at the age of 12. It’s an important stage in life — a time when the child becomes responsible for his own actions and must obey the commandments of God. As part of the new status, many of the children participate in a service project as a way to give back to their communities. Andrew, the son of Scott and Marcy Winchester of Rogers, selected the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter for his project and recently held a fundraiser in which he collected clothes, car seats and other products for the children, and also served hot dogs, chips and drinks to the donors. Marcy Winchester says Andrew raised about $260 during his “drop-off” party for the shelter. Andrew and his friend, Connor Brock, also played music to entertain the crowd. The two have their own band, known as Bad Manors, after the name of their Rogers subdivision. Andrew says he hopes his project helps the children at the shelter. “I feel like they are suffering from all they’ve gone through,” he says. “This allows them to have the everyday things they need.” His mother says she hopes Andrew will continue to live out his faith and help others. He plans to continue his bar mitzvah tradition and have a similar fundraiser each year for other organizations in need. “They have to learn how their community is giving to them and they have to give back as well,” Winchester says. “It’s important for us that he did this because he becomes more accountable and responsible.” She also says the project helped Andrew realize the seriousness of the mission of the children’s shelter. “He did a great job,” she says. “Being a good person in life is important, and this helps get him there.” By helping others and living out his faith in actions, she hopes Andrew will remember these times on the path to adulthood. As for Andrew, he says the project made him feel “awesome.” “I’m helping a lot of people, giving them food, clothes and things most people take for granted,” he says. Bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah ceremonies are not necessary to enter the age of responsibility but are common practice. A religious ceremony is held in the synagogue and the child reads from the Torah in front of the congregation for the first time. Of course, a big party is also held to celebrate the momentous occasion. The family is proud of Andrew for being the synagogue’s first bar mitzvah and also for his work to help the children’s shelter. He has a younger brother, Sam. Living the Faith is a weekly profile of ministries and people making a difference in Northwest Arkansas. Suggestions for profiles may be mailed to Religion Editor, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 515 Enterprise Drive, Suite 106, Lowell, Ark. 72745; faxed to (479) 770-8484; or sent via e-mail to:
cstorm@arkansasonline.com
 Andrew Winchester, 13, was the first bar mitzvah for Congregation Etz Chaim in Bentonville. As part of the coming-of-age ceremony, he participated in a community service project and raised money and gathered supplies for the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter.
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