Teen Hero
WASHINGTON Dylan Sharp capitalized on his Bar Mitzvah to raise nearly $50,000 from family and friends for the Tikva Childrens Home, an organization that rescues and houses at-risk Jewish children in the Ukraine.
Now hes spreading the word to his peers across the country.
At his ceremony in September, Sharp spoke on the bimah of New Yorks Temple Shaaray Tefila about how moved he was by the plight of the children at the Odessa home after watching the organizations videos.
The 13-year-old Manhattanite urged the nearly 300 guests to donate to the charity in lieu of giving him gifts. In addition, he made available informational pamphlets about the Tikva Childrens Home.
A seventh-grader at the Riverdale Country Day School, where his favorite subject is math, Sharp said he hopes to inspire a lot of kids to use their Bar or Bat Mitzvahs as a platform to help others.
Recently, Sharp and his family his parents, a brother and sister visited the Tikva Children Home. Over the course of several days he played sports and did other activities with its residents.
Playing with the kids and really seeing where my money and the money from those who donated went, I was really happy, Sharp said.
Now an email campaign is urging pre-Bar and Bat Mitzvah students to share information about Tikva with their network of peers.
Rabbis at 10 US synagogues are assisting in the effort.
For his generosity and serving as a role model to other teens, Sharp was honored at the Tikva Childrens Home annual gala in New York.
Its extremely important to give and help out in any way that you can, said Sharp. A Bar or Bat Mitzvah is not just about having a big party, its also about becoming an adult and maturing.
JTA caught up with Sharp to ask him about his aspirations for the future, the Jewish dish he most likes to cook and his advice for choosing a Bar and Bat Mitzvah project.
What do you think are important qualities of a hero?
Sharp: I think a hero is somebody who gives to others in need and inspires other people. He does what is right for everyone and not just for himself.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Id like to be either a chef or a writer. They are two things that I really love doing. My dads a great cook, and I cook whenever I can.
What do you like to cook? Is there a favorite Jewish food?
I like to make breakfast and lunch, mostly omelets and eggs, and Ive helped my dad make really good latkes.
What is your favorite Jewish holiday?
Chanukah, its really great. My family has the most traditions for when we all come together to light the candles, and we give thoughtful gifts.
What do you like to do for fun?
Play guitar, cook and play lacrosse.
What advice would you give to other kids when choosing a Bar or Bat Mitzvah project?
Choose something that isnt for you something that will help the less fortunate and those who dont have the same privileges as you, something that says there is good in the world.
This interview is part of a series on Jewish teen spearheading community service projects. Read the earlier interviews in the series with Val Weisler, Zoe Butchen, Connor Tukel, Morgan Davidson, Adena Rochelson, Edan Evenheim, Joshua Toch, Gabe Baskin, Arielle Davis, Maxine Harvey, Samantha Vinik,Tyler Barbee, Zak Kukoff, Dalya Romaner, Nicholas Lowinger, Olivia Kessler, and Matthew Baratz.
