What’s Right with the World – Eden Berke

What’s Right with the World – Eden Berke

Eden (2nd from l) Makes some new friends

Today,  I chose to work with young kids as I always love working with toddlers, and I’m comfortable I leading programming for them because I lead Shabbat services for children 5 and under at my synagogue back home. Overall, I enjoyed the experience because I am constantly amazed by young children’s intelligence and abilities, and because of how much I love inspiring young people and helping impact their lives while they’re still young and developing.

Children are symbols of innocence, and it was important for me to be surrounded by that today because for the past couple of days we have been constantly exposed to what’s wrong with the world; such as homelessness, mistreating the environment, and the present ignorance towards and ostracizing of the LGBTQ+ community (specifically in Jewish communities). However, today, working with the happy and pure children, I was reminded of the good in humankind and that there is so much happiness in society, despite the plethora of struggles society does face on a daily basis. Ultimately, what I will take from what I experienced today is a sense of relief from the burden I have been feeling lately as I am becoming more informed of all the problems in society today.

~ Eden is a 12th grader from Chicago, Illinois

Agreeing to Disagree – Evan Tessler

Agreeing to Disagree – Evan Tessler

Evan (center) discusses life, college and politics

Today we had the opportunity between working with the elderly or with the children. Naturally I chose to work with the old people, which also happened to be at one of the coolest beaches in California, Venice Beach. When we arrived, Maccabee sang songs and we made ginger bread houses. Gabe and I, however, missed this fun, because we had the pleasure of talking to some elderly women about politics, college, and life. The conversation started out interesting, as we talked about the future and what college is like, but eventually we got to the controversial topic of the presidency, where Gabe and I had very strong disagreements with the elderly who supported a different candidate from ours. We couldn’t fathom how they, as Jews and women, could feel as they did. We had a very long  argument that ended with one of the women leaving out of frustration.  Despite all of the varying opinions I learned how people can have different views and you can still learn from the experience.

~ Evan Tessler is an 11th grader from Scottsdale, Arizona. This is his 3rd AWB.

How My Tuesday Was Like the Lego Movie – Maccabee Raileanu

How My Tuesday Was Like the Lego Movie – Maccabee Raileanu

Maccabee (l) and the other LA teens teach their friends about “Heal the Bay”

This being my second AWB LA I thought it was over; the idea that AWB wouldn’t be as fun for me because unlike most of my peers and friends, I actually live in LA. Somehow, I again came in thinking, “I already know this city.” This year it was one step further. Not only was I going around my own city, but we also had the privilege of meeting with an organization I working very closely with, the Jewish Queer Straight Alliance. I had set up this meeting between our two organizations and had offered to help the coordinator Anna with running the event. Again, I was thinking “Okay. I already know this organization, nothing new.” I couldn’t have been more wrong. Within minutes of us being there I began learning things about Judaism, the LA community, the queer justice movement, and my peers that I had never known before. I am so glad that I was able to push down that same old feeling and really be present and take in the great conversations and information being exchanged in that space.

Later on, at the end of the day, my group’s counselor started to lead our sikkum yom (closing debrief) and she said what I thought was “describe your day with a movie” (turns out she said emoji). Immediately, I thought of The Lego Movie. “Why?” You may ask. Well, when I first saw The Lego Movie with my dad I thought it was just another child’s movie with simple jokes and an even simpler story. Something I had seen before. Something I knew. I was surprised to find out it was an incredibly smart and profound movie with with sharp humor and a deep plot. I am so glad I gave both the JQSA and the Lego movie a second chance.

NOTE: This is not an add for a the Lego Movie.

~ Maccabee Raileanu is an 11th grader from Tarzana, California and he is one of the teen leaders of LA Young Judaea.

AWB Blast from the Past – New Orleans 2012

AWB Blast from the Past – New Orleans 2012

Sonia on AWB NOLA 2012 (2nd from r)

Today was our second full day volunteering, and since it was Christmas, naturally most volunteering locations were closed.

I went to go volunteer at the Woldenberg Retirement Home, where we were to meet the members, play “electronic bingo”, and listen to their stories. While walking around the home, talking to the citizens and wishing them a Merry Christmas, a woman in a wheelchair rolled up to us, and began telling us her story. She explained that she had been a nanny, and raised many children, but had had a stroke three months earlier, and been moved to Woldenberg.

The stroke had paralyzed the left side of her body, leaving her arm and leg immobile. The biggest impact she left on me, however, was not her story, but instead her small mention that she used to play piano. Because her left arm was paralyzed  she no longer could play. I realized that with her stroke, not only had her overall life changed, but the small aspects of her everyday life had changed as well.

Today’s trip to the Woldenberg Retirement Home changed my outlook on elderly people’s lives, and made me appreciate their stories that much more.

~ Sonia Garfinkel attends Smith College and was in the 11th grade when she wrote this article.

Real Consequences – Mollie Griminger

Real Consequences – Mollie Griminger

Mollie NOT Having Fun

Today, we went to Baton Rouge to help Rebuilding Together paint a house that had been gutted due to the devastation of the summer floods. Can I say it was fun? Honestly, it wasn’t. Those who worked dripped with sweat and paint throughout the five hours we were there. I myself had my jeans, shoes, and jacket ruined. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the work — I personally find this kind of labor rewarding. We’re not here to have fun, though. We’re here to help othersThe fun is reserved for the evening activities. We are not here to have a camp reunion, we are here to help. I think that we all realized how important this was to the individuals who are living this. It’s NOT an activity, our work has real consequences.

~Mollie Griminger is a 12th grader from Bethesda, Maryland and this is her second AWB trip.

One Word Says it All – Ben Gotian

One Word Says it All – Ben Gotian

Ben Takes his Painting VERY Seriously

Today we drove to Baton Rouge to go and work with Rebuilding Together Baton Rouge to help fix a house that someone lost during the flood that occurred this past summer. We were surprised to learn about this because the main story that happened at the time of the flood was the Presidential election which overwhelmed all other news. The supervisors found that we were a great help to finish the job faster because they had gutted the entire house by themselves without any help, and that we were the first volunteer group to help them. Some time after lunch the owner of the house came by to check on the house. After lunch, I started talking with one of the supervisors about life outside rebuilding houses, and how he goes up to New York every year to visit some family. About an hour or so later, I had a short conversation with the owner. He told me that before the flood he lived in that house for thirty years. When I asked him how much he lost from the flood, he responded with one word that made my community service all the more meaningful impact on myself and the owner: “everything”, he lost his entire home in the flood: food, a bed, irreplaceable family heirlooms. It made me appreciate everything that I have and made me think about what if, God forbid, that happened to me. Weather is indiscriminate. It has the potential to destroy everything and anyone you know and love. That truly made me appreciate everything I have and to not take anything for granted.

~ Ben Gotian is an 11th grader from New Rochelle NY and this is his second AWB trip to New Orleans.

What the Media Misses – Avi Holtz

What the Media Misses – Avi Holtz

The tall ones are good for something… Avi in Baton Rouge

Understanding the devastation to humans that isn’t displayed in the media can be quite a task. When the election, shootings, and other stories that are topical and have lots of natural popularity are what gain the most money, other catastrophes are overshadowed. The flooding in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in August was just one of these stories. People’s houses were completely destroyed from the inside due to water influxes of over 2 feet. Houses were abandoned and never returned to because of the lack of good living conditions. Today we tried our best and made a difference to a victim of the flood. After he had taken out his own floors as they were completely unusable, we painted his walls and ceilings fully. Seeing him there was very emotional and him thanking us was very inspiring as it felt that we truly made some difference in a person’s life after being a victim of such unfortunate circumstances.

~ Avi Holtz is a 10th grader from White Plains, NY and this is his second AWB.

Worth it to Travel For the Cause: Staff Reflection – Noah Stein

Worth it to Travel For the Cause: Staff Reflection – Noah Stein

Noah (r) and a new friend (and Nathan Rubinger)

Three years ago, I participated on AWB in Los Angeles as a teen participant. Now, as a staff member, I am finally doing AWB in New Orleans. NoLa always seemed like the AWB to do, so finally having the chance to experience it for myself, I can see why. Many people, myself included, struggle with the concept of going elsewhere to do community service, especially when traveling costs money, and there are always community service opportunities locally. Yet New Orleans feels like a city where it is worth it to travel for the cause. Yesterday, we drove to Baton Rouge to work with the organization Rebuilding Together, which rebuilds homes that were destroyed in the floods this past summer. Working with so many people who are victims of natural disasters, and helping them eventually move back into their homes is thankfully not something so readily available to many people locally, so to be able to do this kind of work is especially meaningful. It is very important not to neglect ones own community, but when given a chance to to help part of an entire city that has been in a recovery process for over 10 years, that is an opportunity that one souls not pass up.

~ Noah Stein is a Sophomore at Columbia University and a veteran staff member at Tel Yehudah

Just a Little Bit Faster – Michael Rogatinsky

Just a Little Bit Faster – Michael Rogatinsky

Michael Checks the Details… Baton Rouge

Today we worked with the Rebuilding Together organization in Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge was recently struck by severe flooding, and many people’s homes were damaged. Through this great organization, we got to help a man to move back into his house just a little bit faster. The 17 of us worked together to paint the inside of his house, and save time for the Rebuilding Together organization so they can move on to the next step in the process. Later in the day, after going back to the hotel for some rest, we went to the winter wonderland carnival. We all split up into groups and explored the park for a while. We rode rides, walked around, and talked for a while, all getting to know each other a bit better.

~ Michael Rogatinsky is an 11th grader from Hollywood Florida. This is his third AWB, and he is one of three Rogatinsky brothers that have taken part in AWB.

Expectations Met: Staff Reflection – Sivan Azouri

Expectations Met: Staff Reflection – Sivan Azouri

Sivan (l) creates art with a resident of Israel Levin Center

My name is Sivan Azouri and I am the shlicha for Young Judaea in the DC/Maryland/Virginia region.

When Sharon told me that I was going for a full week of volunteering and service with teens, I was so happy. This is exactly the work for which I will wake up in the morning and smile.  A focus on activism, community responsibility, giving without personal gain and service learning is what it’s all about.

I came into this week with high expectations and a high level of excitement. Every day that passes, I gain so much – knowledge, inspiration and so many different points of view. It did not disappoint.  It warms my heart to see the teens approach this experience with curiosity, a desire to learn and a heartfelt passion to give of themselves. It is absolutely inspiring.

Take today for example.  This morning, our group was split into two. One group headed to the Westside JCC to work with children and I accompanied the second group on their visit the residents at the Israel Levin Center a Jewish home for older adults. On our way to the Center I did not know what to expect. Meeting with the elderly is not always comfortable and even at times difficult, especially for teens that have not had many opportunities to interact with the elderly beyond their own grandparents.  I was so surprised when we walked in the door and there was NO SIGN of unease or awkwardness, not for a minute. The teens approached the residents of Israel Levin with such ease and the connection between the groups was immediate. The atmosphere was warm and pleasant filled with positive interactions, joy and laughter.

One phrase that caught me and warmed my heart was from one elderly woman, right before we left. “This day caused me to feel young again”. I believe that something happened here that will continue into the future with the local teens as well as for future Alternative Winter Breaks.  I definitely think that the Center will welcome Young Judaea back with open arms.

Although this experience is for them, I am so fortunate and proud to work alongside these teens for this once in a lifetime experience.

~ Sivan Azouri is the joint Young Judaea and Tzofim Shlicha in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area.