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KEVIN GUTTING

JFK middle schooler Adam Osherow holds an envelope containing $1,500 he raised with a bar mitzvah project for a scholarship fund for his school's after-school program. He gave the money to JFK Principal Lesley Wilson last week.

NORTHAMPTON - Thanks to one JFK Middle School student, other middle schoolers will be able to take part in a popular after-school program whose budget was cut last year.

As part of his bar mitzvah preparation last year, Adam Osherow, a seventh-grader at JFK Middle School took on a Tikkun Olam project, which asks candidates to explore ways of repairing the world. He learned that one need not travel very far to see unfairness.

JFK's after-school enrichment program had been cut last year, though it was still limping along with donations, volunteer instruction and user fees. But Osherow, who believes after-school programs, with their emphasis on learning and fun, are essential to a school's success, was dismayed to learn that not all of his classmates could afford the cost.

"I believe that after-school programs make you more knowledgeable and help bring peace," he said.

Osherow, 13, designed and organized a sport field day in the courts and fields behind his school in which he offered four athletic competitions at two levels, charging an entry fee of $10. The proceeds would go to set up a scholarship fund for the after-school program.

Osherow met with JFK Principal Lesley Wilson over the summer months, and received her blessing.

"He came up with this on his own, took the initiative, and made it happen," said Wilson. "He was raising awareness and giving back to the JFK community at the same time."

In a flyer that he sent out to five city schools with the headline "Academics + Athletics = Achievement," Osherow laid out his platform: "Knowledge can help solve world problems without violence and hatred," he wrote. "In sports, people have to work together and get past personal problems in order to be successful. Education and sports can help people gain knowledge and work toward common goals - healing the world for peace."

The teen reached out for sponsors. "I hit up every adult I knew," he said. At least six businesses kicked in with prizes and on a mild Sunday in October, with help from several friends, Osherow set up his four-sport challenge, which included unique variations on baseball, football, basketball and soccer, with prizes given out to winners and runners-up.

And last week, Osherow, accompanied by his mothers, Marjorie Osherow and Gretchen Brockmeyer, turned over $1,500 in cash to Wilson and after-school coordinator Peggy Clapp. He actually raised $1,463, but kicked in $37 from his bar mitzvah money to make it an even $1,500. "I'm like that," he said.

"I was pleased and surprised," said Clapp. "It's great to have someone in the school doing this. He took on a pretty big role."

The event was a natural for Osherow, who never met a sport he didn't love. He helped pitch his Little League team to a title this past summer, blocked shots and slammed them home in suburban basketball, and plays Ultimate Frisbee and the Israeli sport of Ga-ga whenever he can.

Needless to say, his parents are proud. "He's the best friend you could have," said Marjorie Osherow.

"Thoughtful and fabulous."

"He pulled it off, got it taken care of, and got a lot of people to help," said Brockmeyer.

JFK currently offers after-school sessions in nine disciplines, including cooking, jewelry beading, homework help and basketball.

Knowing of Osherow's love for Ultimate, Clapp said she might be looking for someone to teach that sport, too.

Bob Flaherty can be reached at bflaherty @gazettenet.com.