On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I will ride 36 miles (double chai, an important and lucky number in Jewish tradition) as part of my Tikkun project for my Bar Mitzvah. Tikkun Olam refers to fixing or healing of the world, and I think our immigration system is one of the biggest things we need to fix in our country. My Torah portion talks about the importance of "welcoming the stranger," and I believe that act is one of the most significant parts of our history. I am the descendant of immigrants, like most Americans, and want to welcome those who also wish to make their lives here. As part of my service project, I am also writing letters to migrant children being held in detention, through the TODEC #LettersOfLove campaign, as well as to political leaders urging them to act on this important issue. 

My bike ride will raise funds for the Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights. The Young Center is a champion for the best interests of children who arrive in the United States on their own, from all corners of the world. They serve as trusted allies for these children while they are in deportation proceedings, advocating for their best interests, and standing for the creation of a dedicated children’s immigrant justice system that ensures the safety and well-being of every child.