Today was the perfect day to dedicate to those who could not share it with their families. The teens of AWB had been split up and assigned to either one of two old-age homes or work at a homeless shelter. My first request was the soup kitchen, and it was granted.

Upon arrival, grateful nuns welcomed us, thanked us for joining and gave us a tour of operations. The work the institution does and the services they provide are
incredible. They attend to many of the less fortunate and restore the faith these persons had lost throughout their hardships. The organization helps first-time homeowners, provides medical attention, provides hygienic services, and, on weekdays from 12pm to 1pm, lunch.

After the tour, we AWBers gathered in the kitchen. We made an assembly line and got packing. We made over 100 plates to serve. As the guests waited on line to get their food, myself and other participants struck conversations with them and sung songs for the time of year. Once everyone got their food, participants moved to the eating area and conversed with the guests
again.

Questions were flying in the atmosphere; stories were being exchanged. I had spoken to a
couple – whose relationship status was unidentified – who had traveled from Texas to Florida, and everywhere in between. They seemed grateful for the company.

Next, I spoke to a man from Virginia and discussed the difference between Virginia and West Virginia. We had an intense and informative American History session.

The last man I spoke to seemed to be on his way out, in which I wished him a “Happy New Year.” He stopped to chat however – which I did not expect. I asked how he liked the food, and from there we got to my pesquetarianism (vegetarian, but I eat fish). He seemed genuinely concerned with my health, thinking that it was in danger due to my lack of consumption of meat. He was quite relieved when I told him I ate fish.

We talked about languages, about the city of New Orleans (particularly the French
Quarter and its history), but most of all, food. He must have “blessed” me ten times, asking God to have me eat meat. He explained where he lived, in the Swamp, where he had learned at 13how to kill a snake, eat it, and use it as a belt. He wanted to “go out on the town” with us, so he could show us the city, but we strategically avoided the arrangement. He thanked me for talking to him and went on his way.

Talking to the faithful people at Lantern Light was wonderful – the guests were very thankful for the meal they were getting and some of those who I had spoken to had helped a lot after Katrina hit. Many of them were sincere in their wishes for a happy new year and thanked the Sisters and us profusely. This was a true adventure and experience in which I, and the other AWBers, learned a lot from.

~ Jenny Shub is from Puerto Rico and is now a sophomore at Emory University.

Last spring, I had a chance to visit New Orleans for the first time, and I loved it. This time,  was my first opportunity to staff Alternative Winter Break through YJ, and I  jumped at the opportunity. Today was our last day of volunteering and we spent it with Green Light New Orleans. We spent the first half of the day helping families build small gardens in their front yard, and the second part of the day delivering and installing eco-friendly light bulbs in several people’s houses. This was our first major interaction with true “New Orleanians”, and it was a really amazing experience being able to hear how their lives were altered by Hurricane Katrina and how they live their lives now. This entire week has been an incredible learning experience, filled with meeting new people, getting to know the AWB participants, and bonding as a staff. I’m going to be extremely sad to see everyone go tomorrow, but I’m lucky to be able to know that we truly made a difference this week, throughout the entire city of New Orleans.

~ Miriam is a sophomore at the University of Michigan and is a staff member at Tel Yehudah.

Today we went to volunteer at Green Light New Orleans. Green Light is a organization that tries to make New Orleans more energy efficient and eco friendly. In the morning, we planted a garden at a lady’s house so she could grow healthy food in her own home such as carrots, turnips and kale instead of relying on other sources for food such as grocery stores. In the afternoon, we installed energy efficient lightbulbs in people’s homes to cut down on electric bills and are better for the environment.  It felt good to see their reactions and interest in what we were doing. I felt happy to help the environment and make their lives better.

~ Jonathan is a 9th grader from New Rochelle, NY

Today I volunteered with Green Light.  It was fun. People were happy. This little kid loved to pick up the buckets. We had a blast. I love AWB!!! We delivered soil. We made soil runs. People need soil. People need light. We were helping the earth. The people were visiting were happy. I am gonna order crepes tonight and have a movie night. This trip has been awesome. I love volunteering my time and effort.

~ Alexandra is a senior from Houston, Texas and this is her 4th AWB

 

Today I had a lot of fun. We got to volunteer for the green light project. We went and drove around delivering buckets of dirt to the different groups who were building mini gardens for homes. We got to help homes save energy for no cost. We installed energy efficient light bulbs in their houses. Volunteering and getting to interact with the people and being able to talk to them personally was meaningful. Being able to help the environment and learning how being more energy efficient to stop global warming was interesting.

Jacklyn is a 9th grader from Houston, Texas.

As a senior, this is my fourth, and final AWB (3 times in New Orleans, and once in LA). Today we worked with Green Light New Orleans, which has been my favorite organization to work with throughout my 4 years with AWB. Green Light began with a musician’s desire to make the city of New Orleans more energy efficient. In the ten years since its beginning it has installed energy efficient light bulbs in 27,000 homes in the city (an enormous 560,000 light bulbs!). Not only that, but Green Light also installs small vegetable gardens in prospective home gardeners’ yards. This helps people save money and have a convenient source of healthy food. Today we both installed gardens and changed light bulbs. It was amazing to meet and talk to the people we were working for. The woman for whom we installed a garden was really appreciative, and had long conversations with us about Young Judaea while we worked (we also wished her a happy birthday, as today was her birthday). What has made this an amazing organization to work with has been the impact that I feel that I can truly see. When I can see the people that I’m working for, it really feels like I’ve done something important. Since I’ve done this for a few years, the collective impact that Green Light has made as an organization has felt REAL. Green Light New Orleans has allowed me to feel as if I’m making a real impact during my years on AWB.

~ Yoni Holtz is a 12th grader from White Plains, NY and this is his 4th AWB. 

Today is day five of the trip and it’s going great. Today was a great day for many reasons and it has been a great experience. Today we did the Greenlight project and it was awesome. First off we drove around and delivered dirt to all the other groups who were making gardens for people in their yards. We only had to make three gardens but there were four groups so all I had to do was deliver the dirt. When we were delivering the last batch one of the containers accidentally spilled all over our rental car which was not very good. After that we got to have lunch and then began to start the light bulb part of the day. We went around to three different houses putting in really good light bulbs that help the environment and helps the homeowner save money. Our first house had the most to install and they all were very thankful of our help. Today was an awesome day for me and AWB as a whole. I will never forget this trip and hope to be back next year.

~ Andrew Rogatinsky is a freshman from Hollywood, Florida. He is the third Rogatinsky brother to take part in AWB NOLA

Today, I visited and volunteered at Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Walking up to the facility, the exterior looked like a big box store, and inside, it essentially was. Th ere was so much food and all of it was going to those in need. People use the term, “packed to the ceiling,” to exaggerate. When I use it, it was actually to the ceiling in food.

My group was in a room and our job was to go through the donated food and find the spoiled food. It was shocking to see how much was thrown away but it was humbling to know that each donation was given in good faith. All in all, some walked away with a sense of accomplishment, I personally walked away with a question – how can I prevent food from spoiling? Today was a great day and I’m looking forward to a new project tomorrow.

~ Daniel Gerstein was in 11th grade when he wrote this. He is currently serving in the Israeli Army with Garin Tzabar

Today I worked with the children at the west side JCC day camp. Our group planned and led a day of activities. As the day began I started to work with a little girl named Maxine with whom I spent the majority of my morning with. She made me realize the little joys. I think kids are the best therapy in the world. They continually move and change and discover so much joy in the environment they’re in. After cleaning her up post paint and glue we went outside. Playing typical playground games, we came upon the slide. She grinned from ear to ear and got her little body up the stairs. Over and over again we went down the swing racing each other or with other kids; they were all smiling and happy. They were so content with something as simple as going down a slide repetitively. Happiness can be achieved when you change your perspective. What does happiness entail? I’m going to try to become aware of all the miniscule events in my life and allow myself the joy. It builds all the little joys. The more they went down the slide the more they laughed and came quickly back up to go again. In their eyes games overlooked by most adults are found as a source of such elation. I aspire and will continue to strive to find the fun in all the minute parts of life. My day at the JCC sparked my awareness further changing my mindset for self-fulfillment.

~ Zoe is an 11th grader from Houston, Texas

Since the beginning of this school year, I’ve been working with pre-schoolers and Kindergartners at my synagogue. Since working with these kids I have discovered a passion for working with young children. Today I had the amazing opportunity to volunteer at the JCC in Los Angeles and work with young children. We read a book about mitzvot, sang songs about Hanukkah, and made decorated menorahs. All of these activities that we had done with the younger kids today, I had done with the kids I work with at my synagogue.  When we read them Hanukkah Cookies with Sprinkles, we were teaching them that giving to those who are less fortunate and sharing is a mitzvah and a good deed and something that they should do. After we read the story filled with mitzvot, we sang about dreidels. One of the kids said that the dreidel should be made out of Hanukkah and should be shared with her school friend, Monica. Since we had read about how sharing was a good deed, these children now know that sharing is a good thing and that they should share. I’m so glad that I had this amazing opportunity to make an impact in these children’s life and teach them things that will help them grow later on in their lives.

~ Rachel Davenport is a 10th grader from Tucson, Arizona