Rabbi Mayshe and Shifra Schwartz used the Bar Mitzvah of their son to launch a new project across Eastern Massachusetts.

By COLlive reporter

It has become popular as of late for Bar Mitzvah boys to give a portion of their gifts to all sorts of charities and causes. Mendel Schwartz, 13, decided to use the monies he received at his Bar Mitzvah last month to purchase Tefillin.

To be exact, he donated the funds to The Tefillin Project.

The initiative, led by his parents, Rabbi Mayshe and Shifra Schwartz, offers to subsidize a pair of Tefillin to any Jewish male in Eastern Massachusetts who will commit to put them on each morning.

"It is our hope that for anyone who is ready to make the commitment of putting on Tefillin daily, we will be able to help take out the financial hurdle," said Rabbi Schwartz, Director of Chabad of Brookline (a.k.a. Chabad Chai Center).

The project, which received guidance from Rabbi Moshe Shemtov and the Shluchim Office, was launched on the 10th of Shvat, the day the Rebbe accepted leadership of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement.

Mendel Schwartz made the announcement at his Bar Mitzvah celebration which took place on the 24th of Teves in the Longwood Towers Condos with family, members of the Jewish community and local Shluchim.

His father said he hopes that The Tefillin Project, "a natural fit for a Bar Mitzvah," becomes a popular choice for Bar Mitzvah gifts.

Find out more at Thetefillinproject.com