Haksheivu Haksheivu Na!
| A Message from David Weinstein, Executive Director of Tel Yehudah Dear Hevrei, I’ve been thinking a lot about how divided our world feels right now. Social media rewards quick takes and shouting matches, not listening or questioning. More and more, we are seeing a frightening rise in political violence and attempts to stifle free speech. It is scary, it is dangerous, and it makes me deeply concerned about the world our teens are inheriting. At Tel Yehudah, we are not immune to these challenges—and we are part of the antidote. This past summer, our teens sat in circles and talked about Israel, about Jewish identity, about justice, about politics. They did not all agree—not even close. Sometimes those conversations were uncomfortable, even hard. But they kept at it. They listened. They questioned. And the most powerful thing is that many of them are still talking about those conversations today, still in touch with friends they deeply disagreed with. They didn’t walk away. They stayed in relationship. This is deeply Jewish and central to TY’s Core Value of Deepening Curiosity. Our tradition is built on debate and disagreement. As Rabbi Michael Paley said, “The Talmud is full of argument and dissent—and yet it’s considered a holy book.” We can argue fiercely and still remain bound together as a people. At TY, our teens don’t just learn that—they live it. And just as important: after those hard conversations, those same teens are singing arm in arm, playing soccer, or dancing together on Saturday night. That mix—challenge and joy, dialogue and celebration—is what makes camp so special. It shows that curiosity and community can go hand in hand, even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard. At camp, teens learn that we can be curious about others while still holding strong to our beliefs, our values, and our responsibility to make the world a better place. Our camp disagreements, discussions, and dialogue help them understand more fully who they are and what they stand for. As we move from Rosh Hashanah toward Yom Kippur, I am holding onto this lesson. In a world that feels more divided and more violent, our teens are leading us toward curiosity, compassion, and community. |
| May we all enter this new year committed to curiosity and community—and may it also be a year when our hostages come home and all know no more war or suffering. Shanah Tovah u’Metukah – שנה טובה ומתוקה — wishing you a sweet, meaningful, and peaceful new year. David Weinstein Executive Director, Tel Yehudah |
