Brian and Christa Balanoff announce the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Simon Joseph, at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at Congregation Beth Torah.

Simon is the grandson of Arnold and Diane Balanoff, Leawood, and Charles and Sylvia Ruble, Umatilla, Florida. He has a sister, Olivia.

Relatives and friends are invited to worship with the family and to attend the Kiddush luncheon following the service.

Simon loves computer programming and gaming, art, music and spending time with friends. He is active in Boy Scout Troop 61 and loves being outdoors, camping and learning. He also loves skateboarding and has combined his love of skating with his Mitzvah project. He will be collecting items for donations to Skate for Change, an organization of volunteers who travel the city on skateboards distributing care packages to those who need them.