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For his mitzvah project, Jacob Monzella, a religious school student at Temple Sholom of Fanwood/Scotch Plains, raised $646 for autism by running in a 5K race on Oct. 25 in Liberty State Park. As part of becoming a bar or bat mitzvah (one who is responsible for the commandments of Judaism), students at Temple Sholom are required to create a mitzvah project to show that they realize their personal responsibility to make the world a better place.

"Autism seems to touch every family in someway. I thought that raising money that would go directly toward different organizations could help families of children with autism," Jacob said.

Jacob's project was inspired by his mother, a speech-language pathologist who works with autistic children and their families. "She has made me curious," Jacob said. "Not only have I met some children that my mom works with, but I have some distant family members with autism. I have seen two different documentaries about autism and have become a playmate to a younger boy with autism. It concerns me that we don't know why autism develops in one out of 150 children and that there is not a 'cure' for autism and that most people don't understand autism and its challenges."

The race was held by Community Options, Inc. & iMatter, a group supporting adults with developmental disabilities. Jacob was the youngest runner. Afterward, he received a trophy for coming in first in his age group. He became a bar mitzvah Nov. 15.

To sponsor Jacob, make out a check to any autism organization, such as the National Autism Association, and send it to:

Jacob Monzella's Bar Mitzvah Project
c/o Temple Sholom
PO Box 539
Scotch Plains, N.J. 07076