I am so glad to be volunteering to help cook and spend the holidays with these individuals that have so little. It’s amazing to see that my little actions make such a big difference to them. One man I spoke to told me all about his life, and I was so moved to find out how much we had in common. Many of the people I talked to were so grateful despite how little they had. Its so wonderful to see these positive people with hope even though they aren’t in the best situations. I also enjoyed asking them and learning about the work they are doing to move forward in their lives.

Today as I celebrated Christmas eve with the people at PATH, I found myself continuing to think about what I came across yesterday at Skid Row. I saw hundreds of people living on the streets without access to basic human needs. It’s crazy to see what so many people go through, and it really makes me think about how fortunate I am. As much as PATH does, there is still so much more that we can do for these people.

Tamar Yaniv, Miami Florida – 11th Grade

Becoming older is such a weird sensation. I’m gaining so many novel experiences and meeting tons of interesting people. These things shape us whether we like it or not.

As I’m going through life, I’ve accumulated so much knowledge and perceptive about the world around me. Participating with PATH exposed me to a new way of communicating and handling people.

Walking along the streets of Skid Row and seeing the collection of tents and homeless communities in downtown LA opened my eyes in a whole different way. I’ve never seen such intense poverty. But for some reason, there was a part of me that was happy for them, for they didn’t live secluded from each other. They were aware of the situation and accepted it – making it their own.

Talking to the residents of PATH and hearing their impeccable stories, I feel extremely humbled. Seeing the poverty in New York City, I have created this assumption about homeless people and was not in tune with their background stories.

Once I really heard their voices and their emotion was unleashed, the connection that was created and the impact that was left, lasts forever. It’s truly been a pleasure to speak with such amazing individuals and take this experience home with me and spread it to others.

~ Oren Yaari – 11th Grade, Huntington, NY

As a two-time alumni of Young Judaea’s Alternative Winter Break program, I have high expectations for the outcome of AWB 2015: Los Angeles. Attending AWB Navajo Nation Arizona in 2011 and AWB New York in 2012 gave me both experiences and friends that I will have for years and years to come. My goal for this trip is to foster an environment where participants will be able to take as much out of the trip as I have; and judging by the trip’s success thus far, we will not come short of that goal.

Our trip is focused on the homelessness issue in Los Angeles. We have been doing a lot of work with PATH (People Assisting the Homeless) so far, who provide supportive services, permanent housing development, support for homeless families, and community engagement services for those in need. We have been cooking meals using fresh ingredients for the residents within PATH.

Being able to watch the participants enjoy the measurable impact they have had on the residents of the locations has been incredibly rewarding for me as a staff member. Residents will constantly go up to participants and mention how happy they are that we are here, and have acknowledged that the work and presence of AWB participants have brightened up their day. It is critical that we tackle the issue of homelessness head-on; visiting some of Los Angeles’ most homeless neighborhoods, and cooking and serving meals for residents in need. It is always nice to head back to base after a long day and see a room full of smiles, and hear about the participant’s unique experiences.

~ Ari Abramson – Temple University, from Westchester, NY

I want to write about making a child smile. I want to write about how making them happy made me happy. But I can’t. I can’t sit here and type away another story about superficial fluff. Not when I spent a good portion of my time at the Christmas party thinking about what lies ahead for these little boys. These boys, who will face challenges in their lives many of the people reading this could not even dream of.  It is not because of their merit that they will fall behind, but because of the circumstance of their race, their education, their economic circumstances, their family and their community. When they are much more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than a white man, despite similar use rates.  When African Americans serve virtually as much time in prison for a drug offense as white Americans do for a violent offense. When they will struggle to finish high school, to get a job, to get a life better than what their parents had. And what angers me is that, at this point in their lives, not a single piece of it is their fault. Their lives were pre-determined and shaped by a thousand factors before they were even conceived.

I found myself questioning why we were there. What good was it to help now if we know that in the future, there is a mountain of adversity in front of these little boys? Why do we even bother? But I have come to realize that while that particular activity may have not brought about lasting change, the thoughts it arose in me have given me new passion to build more, work more, do more, for the benefit of this community. Work so that those children may have a better chance, in their schools, in their jobs, or in their houses. Because that’s what AWB is. AWB is change, change in the present, change for the future.

~ Noah Doshna – 11th Grade, Flemington, NJ

On the afternoon of Christmas Eve, we went to an elementary school for children whose families have little income in suburban New Orleans, to throw a party for less fortunate children. As the boys and girls walked in, they seemed very shy and intimidated to be there with us. Over the course of the party, the children began to enjoy themselves. As we taught the children the games played at TY, the boys and girls found an energy that was hidden by anxiety. Christmas is a festive holiday celebrated by Christians all over the world. There are many people who are not able to afford a holiday party to celebrate with their families. A value that can be learned from this experience is that even though parents might not have the money to have a Christmas celebration for their children, it is important to help them, even if it is for children with disabilities and elderly people.

~ Ben Gotian, 10th Grade, New Rochelle, NY

Starting out today with a pleasantly late wake up, we walked out of the Hotel with bags in hand and ready to go for an afternoon in the French Quarter. The weather was not “beautiful” in the typical sense of the word, but the air was sweet and there was music on the streets.

After quite the adventure in the French Quarter, we made our way to a small Church school for a Christmas party. After setting up the table and laying out the gifts for the kids, we welcomed the children and played games for almost the entirety of two hours.

What made this day meaningful was the abundance of smiles. Not only was I happy, but the kids were having a blast. They played and laughed—two of the children even insisted of playing super hero with me for the good part of half an hour.

I left the school feeling exhausted but elated that a small group of volunteers was able to spread so much joy to a group of children that would spread even more to us.

—Enjoy the Chinese food this Christmas.

~ Ari Levine – 12th Grade, Charleston, NC

Today we thew a party for Gentilly Terrace Charter School. Although only a few kids showed up it was wonderful  meeting almost all the kids. Throughout the event we connected with the children over games like duck, duck goose and ninja. At the end of the party gifts were given away to all the kids. They all were appreciative of the gifts and seeing their smiles was the best part of the night.

Going to the school today was a great experience. We threw a Christmas party with food and presents for less fortunate children in the area. It seemed like this type of interaction was right up the alley of all of the chanichim and madrichim. Working at camp, we know how to deal with younger kids and our chanichim have learned a lot about leadership in Young Judaea.  We were to interact with all of the kids who showed up and they were probably between the ages of five and nine. There were so many games our chanichim came up with to play and seeing the smile on everyone’s faces let me know this Christmas party was a success. What was touching about seeing this is the joy it brought to all of the little kids faces. We obviously can’t change their whole lives, but in that one moment they were all giggles and smiles. I talked to one kid and he had never been outside of Louisiana let alone New Orleans. It makes you put things into perspective showing how lucky some of us really are.

~ Adam Bershad – Temple University, West Windsor, NJ

I have been to PATH before, so going back felt familiar, and I was definitely ready to get there and start talking with people. Today reminded me that no matter how much I try to learn about homelessness, there is always more to learn. I have heard many stories from homeless people about why they are in their situation, but today I met a veteran from Vietnam, who cried when he told us his story. He told us about his service to our country, and how he owned his own small business. He even hinted about a past marriage, generously opening up to teenage strangers. With so much talk about veteran aid in politics, it’s hard to believe there still hasn’t been a successful solution.

Some people are uncomfortable talking to homeless people, but after three years of AWB, it feels normal. The man we met had a very quiet voice, and he had out complete attention with every word he muttered. It was so easy to have a conversation with him, and as he dabbed his tears, my friends and I glanced at each other with sad eyes. Seeing how happy the people at PATH and the people working at PATH were, reinforced my desire to work in social service. Every year with AWB I am reminded to “sustain the change” and every friendly stranger I have met teaches me something new about how to do that.

~ Skye Maisel – 11th Grade – New City, NY

The sunshine of fame and glamor glares into our eyes, blinding us from the truth; as we put on our sunglasses, the sunshine disappears, and we are able to focus. What Magazines, celebrity news channels, and gossip sites fail to recognize about this state, is the fact that Los Angeles, California  is the first third world city in the United States. Since when has choosing “who wore it best” mattered more than finding clothing for someone who is wearing rags? When did people start to become so neive that they ignored the internal issues within their own city, strolling past those without anything, because they are too distracted on possessing everything.

While walking down Skid Row with my fellow Young Judaeans, it was almost impossible at first not to look away; the line of tents curving down the sidewalks was appalling. It took more than a moment to accept the fact that someones life could possibly be reduced to six garbage bags, one outfit, and two meals a day- if they’re lucky. Despite these tear jerking realities, I was able to find a silver lining. Once I truly opened my eyes, I saw these “homeless people” as human beings. I heard jazz music leaving tents, dogs happily licking their owners cheeks, and completely diverse people coming together as one, as a community. More than seven people that slept on hard concrete the previous night had the energy to ask me how I was doing, wish me a happy holiday and bless me.

My point is not to condone homelessness, not in any sense. It is not okay, and it is not an option to ignore it any longer. If these people who have nothing can put aside their differences for a common cause, why can’t we? Today, on this trip,  I learned that it’s not necessary nor is it helpful to feel guilty for being privileged. It is, however, imperative that we stop turning away from what is “not pretty”. Use the resources you have to educate others on what makes you uncomfortable about situations of homelessness! Therefore, I am encouraging you, and my camp mates as well, to be fearless: it is time for a change, and I believe one hundred percent that we can make a difference.

~ Rachel Silberman – 11th Grade, High Bridge, NJ

My family has never been a group to go on long trips or vacations. That is, if you do not count the eleven moves I’ve lived through (for of them being across the country). My most recebt move from state to state was five years ago when my my family moved back to the sunny state of California, more specifically, Los Angeles. So, you could imagine how excited I was when i figured out one of this years AWB choices was bere in my hometown! I was so excited to be ‘that kid’ who says things like, “Oh, the Hollywood sign? Yeah that thing? Sure, I guess its cool.” You know, the typical LA native. But too my surprise, its been nothing like that. I have become a visitor of my own city.

Starting immediately with our beginning opening peula (activity), I was astounded to hear such shocking facts about LA and the dark reality of our homeless probelm. The excerpts of the documentary we watchd the first night were about the Infamous Skid Row and the homeless community that lives there and has been there for ages. Not only had I never heard these facts before about the homeless rates, but I hadn’t even really heard of Skid Row at all, let alone its residents. I had no way to describe my feelings other than purely shocked and honestly a little embarrassed that i had been so blind to this situation right at my home.

Today when waking up, those feelings still fresh in my mind, I had no idea what I would embark on today. The same feeling of eye opening and slight shame were brought back as we literally walked the streets of the 50 square block radius known as Skid Row. Looking at these civilians, living in the same city as me, I felt shocked, a little uneasy because of my higher position given to me by my priveledge. This are was less than a mile away from one of my favorite spots in LA, the Last Bookstore, and yet I still felt like I had no idea where I was.  But I also felt an odd kinship towards these people as we were both Angelenos just living in our great city.

Another touching part of the day for me was after the Graffiti tour, having the opportunity to volunteer and mingle with tbe residents at the PATH (People Assisting the Homeless) inner city location. In my groups time at that location we cooked hhge amounts of delicious meals for the residents and chill with the people there by exchanging life stories, sharing jokes, and just finding comfort in each others’ company. Again, my identity as a local shined through as I made refereces the are of the San Fernando Valley I live in and made fun of our public translortation system.

Going into this trip I was convinced that I’d assumes the re of some unofficial tourguide. I could not have been more wrong. I am constantly being bombarded with educating and eye-opening experiences in places I’ve never been before. I am just so excited to see how much more I will learn about my great city, human nature, and myself on this trip.

~ Maccabee Raileanu – 10th Grade, Los Angeles, California