Twelve and Thirteen
A Giving Program
Twelve and Thirteen is the unique, face to face giving program that brings together b'nei mitzvah teens and their families on a journey of giving and kindness. You'll watch your young person grow through giving in smaller face-to-face experiences with some of Melbourne’s most diverse and impact orientated charities.
Learn more about, and make a difference to issues in the broader community, from homelessness, food security, disability and social isolation, environment and more. Both Jewish and non-Jewish organisations benefit from our tailored volunteering sessions.
A unique program that reinforces the importance of giving back
The Twelve & Thirteen program has been designed to create a shared family volunteer experience for parent and child. Studies have repeatedly confirmed what we know as the ‘helper’s high’ – that volunteering activities evoke gratitude, boosts mental health and self-esteem and creates a strong connectedness to others.
The bar and bat mitzvah year can create a somewhat distorted view of the world around us. Our unique program reinforces to our younger participants the importance of giving back to others in a year that can very easily become absorbed with parties and celebrations. The program also recognises the growing maturity of the bar and bat mitzvah young adult, and empowers them to step up by taking on more social awareness, and importantly, allows our young adults to to make a positive impact to the world around them.
The average cost of a bar and bat mitzvah varies greatly and can reach up to tens of thousands of dollars, but the benefits of a year-long journey of volunteering are priceless.
What’s included:
4 in person volunteering sessions
7 digital workshops covering a variety of social issues
24 Tiny Talk activations via WhatsApp
3 digital Learning labs
1 face to face workshop
1 face to face closing ceremony
Register before 20 December and secure your spot for $499*
*Program cost $550 after 20/12/2020. Due to limitations for our charity partners in the "new COVID normal", numbers are limited, so please enrol today to avoid disappointment. All programs have been subsidised by the Board of Twelve & Thirteen to enable more families to join our programs. So let's jump into 2021 and make a difference - together.
In addition to six face-to-face sessions, your teen will be able to connect with other young people through small, dynamic and structured digital Learning Labs, Tiny Talk activations and more.
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Meet our partner organisations
Making food for Jewish families in crisis with Emmy Monash residents
Our families regularly visit the residents at the Emmy Monash aged care residence, working patiently and gently with residents making food for Jewish families in crisis. Families then enjoy an afternoon tea together.
Making hand made gifts for mothers and children with McAuley Community Services for Women
McAuley Community Services for Women is an organisation that supports women and children fleeing family violence and/or experiencing homelessness.
After hearing from a staff member about how and why family violence affects families, our participants make hand-made Mother’s Day gift items, and comforting fleecy blankets for young children, or art packs used by McAuley’s Play Therapist.
Playing basketball with disadvantaged children living in housing commissions around Melbourne
Helping Hoops is an organisation that runs basketball clinics for disadvantaged children living in housing commission flats around Melbourne, as well as children with special needs.
Our families participate in a session at a Richmond housing estate, playing with the Helping Hoops children and experiencing this fantastic organisation firsthand through a clinic.
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