In preparation for his Bar Mitzvah on June 16, my twelve-year-old son Sam is doing a "Mitzvah Project" with the goal of helping repair the world in some small way.

This act of charity, generosity or simple compassion can range from anything to raising money for the local homeless shelter or volunteering at the town library to collecting and donating clothing for children in developing countries.  It's a pretty standard step along the path to becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah these days.

Looking...