Today was Christmas, we worked with the organization Without Walls to put on their annual Christmas party, or “Birthday Party For Jesus”, for both families and individuals living in poverty. I worked giving out presents to kids as young as six months old to as old as 16 years old. After sorting the gifts that members of various communities and churches had donated into groupings by gender and age, we distributed them to hundreds of kids. Often times we wouldn’t have presents for kids on the older side of the spectrum, which was disheartening but ultimately showed that even in an organization as well run as this one, there are still many gaps in what is needed. Because of this, I ended up having some uncomfortable interactions with kids more my age, however the reactions I got by some of the little kids made the unpleasant interactions obsolete. I remember randomly picking up a doll for a young five year old girl and watching her face light up as she saw it was an Elsa doll. This reaction was repeated after I handed another young girl a Barbie doll and her eyes became wide and mouth gaped open. It truly felt as though I had completely made her day and shed a child like innocence on the entire process.

~ Rachel Lock; 10th grade, Manhattan, New York

At approximately 7:15pm tonight, all of the AWB teens had arrived in Charleston. After resting up, playing games and informally getting to know one another, the action began.

This year, more than ever, the teens came on to AWB understanding that the trip is so much more than the physical work they will be doing. Our goal is for the teens to walk away from this program not only understanding what needs a city like Charleston has, but what can it teach us about the world and what it needs from us.

Our Mazkirut (teen leadership) chose this city after some thoughtful debate about the purpose of Alternative Winter Break being about issues as well as the work we do. To this end, they chose to focus on the issue of racial division and racial justice.

Each day, we will be sending you this newsletter. While this evening’s update is written primarily by staff, starting tomorrow, the teens will do the writing. You’ll also get to follow their experiences through photographs and videos.

The Young Judaea anthem is the Arik Einstein song “Ani V’ata Neshane et HaOlam” – you and I will change the world. Alternative Winter Break is one of the experience that we give our teens to help them see that this is possible.

Lead by the Midwest Mazkirut (teen board), Maya Garfinkel, Ben Hirsch, Charlie Met, Melanie Silver, Tziona Chernoff, Max Aizenstein and Daryn Smith, 39 teenagers from the Midwest including 3 “field trippers” from Texas, NJ and Long Island, gathered together to have fun with their camp friends, make new memories, and learn more about others and themselves. We talked about communication and connection – the different ways language can be understood and influenced, and the affect it can have on a person. The weekend was full of fun, friends, and education. We had 4 peulot (programs) that were about different aspects of theme, communication and connection, that took place in small discussion groups. We also had SNF, Saturday Night Fun, which was a sports themed party complete with a photobooth, sack races, and more!

Check out all of the pics HERE

Thanks to the Midwest Senior Advisor Rebecca Schwab and to our weekend “Madrichim” (counselors) Adina Lipschultz, Levi Applebaum, Robin Silver, Jessica Morris, Amos Pomp and special guest, National Senior advisor, Nathan Rubinger.

Convention Quotes:

“I felt like the weekend was one big success. Being on the Mazkirut (teen board) for the first time was both stressful and fun. I had an amazing experience creating convention, and then when I got there I got to see everyone enjoying it. As someone who hasn’t gone to camp with all of the kids in attendance, it was really cool to meet and bond with the underclassmen who were newer to convention experience at the beginning of the weekend, but came out of it as pros. I was so happy to see that everyone truly enjoyed the weekend experience they had, as did I.” – Melanie Silver, Midwest Pirsum.

“It was a blast leading and participating in this winter convention. I especially loved seeing the bonding moments with the many underclassmen that attended and the upperclassmen. For many 8, 9, and 10th graders, this convention was their first. The upperclassmen attending were eager to show them the ropes through new TY Rikud dances, peulah participation, and just generally spending quality time together. In other words, it was incredible to see our theme of connections and conversation extend beyond the programming.” – Maya Garfinkel, Midwest Mazkira.

 

“Convention was really fun because I got to see my camp friends and do the camp things that I can’t do during the year, like singing songs and doing rikud. [Convention feels like home because its] returning to the tradition and culture of camp. Like when we all started singing the announcement song, I felt at home with my people. Having a weekend of camp is way better than going to school.” – Mira Strauss, 11th grade

 

“If I had to describe convention in 3 words it would be hilarious, friendship, and mini tanks [a game played at convention]. I felt at home at convention because I got to be with my best friends and the amazing staff. I was most excited about seeing my camp friends that I haven’t seen in over a year and camp traditions – Shira shketa,rikud, and havdalah.” – Kira Hoffman, 9th grade

 

Na’or Aaron describes convention as amazing, home, and k’hilah (community). “I felt most at home when we all just sang at once like it was the last time we’d ever sing together and it was amazing. I was most excited about the peulot in general. People should go to Midwest Spring Convention because [Winter Convention] is one of the most amazing experiences I can ever claim to have as my own and I wouldn’t trade it, or the YJ family, for the world. You meet so many amazing people, but yet it feels so small, and everyone’s there just to celebrate camp. There’s this homey/family vibe that everyone flows with that makes it feel like a real family. If you have no real ‘out of family’ family in your life, go to convention and I promise you it won’t let you down.” – Na’or Aaron, 8th grade

 

Simon Aizenstein describes convention was fun, exciting, and relaxing. He felt at home throughout the weekend because of the people that he was surrounded by. He was most excited about all the activities. He believes that everyone should go to Spring Convention so that everyone can reconnect outside of camp. – Simon Aizenstein, 8th grade

 

Adira Lunken describes convention as family, excitement, and peulot. She enjoys the fun, loving environment and getting to see all of her best friends. She thinks that everyone should go to Midwest Spring Convention to get closer to their friends and meet new people. In addition, she thinks everyone should go to have an amazing weekend! – Adira Lunken, 10th grade

 

“Three words I’d use to describe Winter Convention are ‘Best Weekend Ever.’ The thing that made me feel at home was the friends I made from past convention, but also the small convention body size which made everything feel even more home-like. The thing that made me most excited was reuniting with my best friends and meeting all new people. [Why should you go to Spring Convention?] Why wouldn’t you go to Spring [convention]? See your friends, meet up before camp, sit through asepha (elections), and just chill with people who love YJ just as much as you!” – Tania Blanga, 12th grade, YJ Texas

 

If you spot me wearing headphones on a bus ride to a tiyul or seminar, chances are I’m listening to a podcast. Israel Story is a show that seeks to tell the everyday stories of Israel. This idea is…

I come from a modern orthodox background, I went to a Jewish day…

MIRIAM ALEXANDER

My name is Miriam Alexander, I am a senior at the University of Michigan studying Screen Arts & Cultures.  I have been a member of Young Judaea since my first summer at CYJ Midwest in 2003.  YJ has cultivated my love of Jewish education and tikun olam.  For two consecutive summers I led the Women’s rights tikun group as part of the Tel Yehudah Hadracha program.  I urged our chanichim (campers) to think critically about systematic discrimination and what our obligation is as Jews to resolve this issue among others.  My passion for social justice and working with young adults led to me to staff AWB in Los Angeles two years ago.  I had an amazing time and can’t wait to bring that same enthusiasm to Charleston!

ITAMAR BLIMAN

Hi. My name is Itamar Bliman and I am the Southeast Shaliach for Young Judaea. I’ve also been a shaliach at CYJ Texas AND CYJ Midwest and this summer, I’ll be at Camp Judaea. After growing up in the Israel Scouts in Haifa, I spent my “shnat sherut” (year before the army) on Year Course, volunteering alongside Young Judaeans. I look forward to doing that again on Alternative Winter Break.

 

STEPHANIE BLITZER

Hi! My name is Stephanie Blitzer and I am a senior at American University studying International Development and Global Health. I’ve been involved with Young Judaea since 2004 when I was an Ofie at CYJ Sprout Lake, attended Tel Yehudah and worked there as a staff member. It was during my time in Young Judaea as a leader, that I realized my passion for social justice. Throughout high school, I attended and helped program AWB trips to New Orleans and New York and was a volunteer staff member to AWB Los Angeles in 2015. I am looking forward to staffing AWB in Charleston this year! I’m looking forward to exploring topics around racial divide and discrimination with our chanichim, and helping to brainstorm ways to make this world a better place.

ARIEL GLUECK

My name is Ariel and I’m thrilled to be staffing AWB for the third time. I’m a senior studying educational policy at Hunter College. I just spent my eleventh summer with Young Judaea and my fifth year as a staff member. I’m especially excited to be staffing AWB to South Carolina. My first year staffing AWB to NOLA, my brother attended the trip as a participant. He was inspired by our work rebuilding houses with Saint Bernard Project and he’s now spending his gap year with SBP in South Carolina.  I’m so excited to accompany students on the inspirational and potentially life altering experience that is AWB.

MICHAELA DAVENPORT

My name is Michaela Davenport and I am currently a Sophomore at the University of Arizona. I am studying Political Science and Sociology. I am staffing AWB because it had a huge impact on me as a participant. I learned so much about the world around me and how working with local organizations can effect positive change within communities. I am so excited to be able to give others the same type of positive experiences I had

BRETT KLEIMAN

My name is Brett L. Kleiman, a Sophomore at Emory University where I study Political Science and History. I am from Houston, Texas and was a camper at CYJ Texas from 2005-2011, a camper at TY from 2012-13, and a Year Course participant in 2015-16. I attended AWB all four years of my high school career (Nola twice, LA, and Arizona) and it taught me a lot about my place in the world and the inequity in our country. I am so honored to be able to be giving back to the YJ community and to help facilitate an incredible experience for these AWB participants.

NATHAN RUBINGER

Hi Everyone! I’m Nathan Rubinger and I’m the program coordinator for Young Judaea. I can’t tell you how happy I am that this years Alternative Winter Break will be happening in my home state of South Carolina! I graduated last year from Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary. During my time in college I had the opportunity to staff a few AWB’s. As someone who grew up in Young Judaea I truly believe AWB is one of our most impactful programs. I can’t wait to see how this years program inspires our leaders to go back to their communities and make change.

Read more about AWB at www.youngjudaea.org/awb or email winterbreak@youngjudaea.org for more information

This year on Year Course we’re changing things up a bit, and giving you the opportunity to experience Year Course from a first person perspective. Between the different classes and trips, the community, and diversity of the participants, our Ambassadors are going to be the new lenses of Year Course. With half of them starting in Kedma and half of them starting in Yama there will be a great equal view of all aspects of the program.

I would like to introduce you to Year Course 17-18’s Social Media Ambassadors

 

Jordan Pressel: From New Jersey, he loves taking photos and exploring the non-touristy attractions, so people following his social media will see the major sites and attractions, but also some lesser known (but just as cool) places! He is relatively new the Young Judaea movement although has already experienced the welcoming community and wants to encourage those who are considering getting involved with YJ that Year Course is one of the friendliest and warm environments. Follow his Instagram @jspressel36

 

Noa Krakow: Coming from Pennsylvania, she has been a part of the Young Judaea throughout her life and couldn’t imagine her life without this community. She would like to share her experiences and everything that she has learned with others. She wants to inspire others while living in Israel and believe that Year Course will provide her with the stage to show off Israel’s diversity, opportunity, and beauty to the rest of the world. Follow her Instagram @naokrakow

 

Estee Segan: Sunny Florida, she comes to Year Course as someone who has been one to cherish the moment and revel in its treasures. Whether those treasures are a lesson, an experience, a tool for the future, or a milestone; the treasures that important moments in our lives provide to us are essential in developing the story of who we are. She intends to appreciate every moment during her Year Course experience and will exploit the positive nature of each event that Year Course provides for them. She is excited to provide a platform of memories that help develop the story of who she and her peers will become on this amazing journey, so that they can look back and see how far they’ve come. Follow her Instagram @esteesegan

 

Elena Smith: Joining Year Course from Connecticut, Elena has always loved taking photographs and making memories. Her goals as one of our Year Course Social Media Ambassadors is to document the different adventures and memories that she and her fellow year coursers create. Something that they can look back on a share with the world their travels throughout their Israeli journey. You can follow her Instagram @the.elena.smith as well as her photo blog at mytinylegacies.wordpress.com

 

My name is Itamar Bliman and I am 24 years old.  I was an active participant and then leader in the Israel Scouts in Haifa. The youth movement is something that is so connected to who I am as a person. It has influenced every step of my life; socially, educationally and personally. It was because of the movement that I chose to participate as a Tzofeh (Scout) on Young Judaea’s Year Course for my year of service before the army. There I volunteered alongside Year Coursers in Bat Yam and participated in many of their amazing programs.

It was here that I started my relationship with Young Judaea. When I met the teens that grew up in Young Judaea, I saw that there were so many similarities with my own experience, as they related to Zionism, Hadracha (leadership) and Jewish values. Right then and there, I fell in love with Young Judaea.

I continued this relationship the summer after Year Course when I represented Garin Atid at Camp Young Judaea Texas and even during my army service when I spent the summer of 2016 at Camp Young Judaea Midwest.

It was because of this that it was so easy to make the decision to join Young Judaea on Shlichut and to give to kids and teens what I experienced in the Scouts. After being a part of Young Judaea nothing makes me happier than continuing to be a part of YJ and being given this amazing opportunity. Along with my work with Young Judaea, I will work with Garin Tzabar, the Scouts pre-army program and this summer, I will join many of the teens and children at Camp Judaea.

Hi everyone, my name is Gonni Kern and I will be joining Young Judaea as the DC/MD/VA Shlicha at the end of August.

I am 22 years old. I was born and raised in Tel Aviv and I have two sisters. I am a sandwich girl. My mother was born on kibbutz and my father was born in the city. The combination of these two worlds opened the opportunity of traveling in Israel and around the world, and also opened the world of youth movements to me. From 4th grade to 12th grade I was in the Tzofim (Scouts) movement in the Shevet (tribe or group) close to my home. I started as a regular scout member and then I was appointed to be a counselor for 10 year olds. I was the head of a 5th grade battalion and graduated as an educational coordinator in the Shevet. I remember most of my life in the Shevet and it truly made me who I am today and where I learned many of the values through which I live my life. The Scouts taught me to live and be part of a group, to know how to give and not just to take, and earn the privilege to educate and lead people after me from an early age.

In 2014 I was drafted to the IDF to the education unit where my duty was to guide combat soldiers about Jerusalem and military values. Toward the end of the service, I was chosen to be the commander of an educational crew to train the next generation in the unit.

In the past year, I flew to a summer camp in Canada through the Jewish Agency where I was a general counselor, then traveled in Central America.  I currently work for the Scouts in Israel and with children in a school in Tel Aviv.

When I think at what youth movements can give and the importance of participation, I remember myself at the age 9 when I joined the  a youth movement. Youth movements are the way of young people to talk, to be and to reach self-fulfillment, especially to contribute and influence society.

My desire to embark on a mission elsewhere, far from family and friends, is reinforced by believing that the connection with Israel and the diaspora is important and must be intensified. By coming to you I would like to share with you my Israeli experience.

I will also be working at the Rockville Maryland Scouts Shevet and hope to bring together my Scouts and Judaeans often.

I wholeheartedly believe it will be a good year for us all!

 

We thought you might find these Passover resources helpful in celebrating and thinking about Passover in the most Judaean way possible. 

(NOTE:  The views expressed in these Hagaddot or resources represent the personal or organizational views of the author or sponsoring organization only. Young Judaea Global, Inc. does not endorse this content.)

Seder Hashachar – While growing up in YJ, each year mine and many other Young Judaea regions put on Seder Hashachar.  Click HERE to access your very own Seder Hashachar (Gesher Shalom version).

Here are some amazing Passover resources from some of our partners and other organizations:

The Four People – By Jewish Multiracial Network and Repair the World: On Passover, the Haggadah speaks about the four sons; one who is wise, one who is evil, one who is innocent and one who doesn’t know to ask… Tonight, let’s speak about four people striving to engage in racial justice.  Read more HERE

Keshet – LGBTQ Inclusive Passover Resource Collection: During Passover, we retell the story of the Israelites’ journey to freedom from mitzrayim, “a narrow place.” This Passover, Keshet invites you to celebrate the stories of LGBTQ Jews and reflect on your – and your community’s – journey from mitzrayim to freedom. Read more HERE

Reboot – Reboot affirms the value of Jewish traditions and creates new ways for people to make them their own. Inspired by Jewish ritual and embracing the arts, humor, food, philosophy, and social justice, we produce creative projects that spark the interest of young Jews and the larger community.  Connect to their online Passover resources HERE.

American Jewish World Service (AJWS) – Like many Jewish organizations, AJWS has created their own Haggadah, however, the focus on Social Justice aligns with Young Judaea’s values. Check out their Haggadah HERE.

Hadassah – How can we not show you the wonderful resources that Hadassah has created for their membership and for the Jewish community.  Connect to their online resources HERE.

Religious Action Center has access to a number of Social Justice Haggadot, whether you are interested in focusing on the Environment, Slavery, Hunger, you will find something for your family.  Check them out HERE.

It is the tradition in many families to read a 5th question in order to raise awareness about issues in the world. Mazon, the Jewish hunger organization poses a 5th question about Hunger HERE.

This year, Young Judaea is participating in Global Jewish Unity Day, celebrating the things that bring Jews together. Read a bit about how it relates to Passover and about the initiative HERE.

We’d love to hear what you do at your seder!  Email yjevents@youngjudaea.org and tell us