Having never been to a Jewish prayer service before, the non-Jewish students wanted to see what it was like. The tradition fascinated many, and everyone could relate to the singing and dancing.
There are so many issues and problems in the world. How does one know what to focus on? Why do we, in the United States, need to worry about this faraway region of Africa, which is just part of a larger continent of peoples who also need our money and support?
We had been taught about mitzvot and tzedakah at Stephen S. Wise Hebrew school, and my parents also stress that the Jewish community takes care of those in need. So on the car ride home, we decided to collect as many videos as possible for donation. We named our new organization Kid Flicks.
We volunteered with the American Jewish World Service (AJWS), a nonprofit organization devoted to ending poverty by furthering sustainable development and promoting international human rights.
I am sitting in physiology class. The teacher assigns a lab report and I open my planner. I see something doodled on the page.
I have a swastika in my planner.
Judaism is a simple religion containing many complexities. No one could realistically hope to understand everything. It is important to question and to learn. But when we don\’t understand something, or don\’t agree with something, we need to remember that it doesn\’t give us license to not follow halacha or to not keep the Torah.
Cheating: The dreaded problem that faces every school across America — and not just the obvious sneak-a-peak-at-your-neighbor\’s-quiz cheating. With thousands of essays, articles and book summaries at their fingertips, American students have discovered the Internet, expanding the opportunities both to cheat and plagiarize.
Every year during the High Holidays, my rabbi at Temple Beth Am makes an appeal for Israel Bonds to our congregation. However, this year, I suggested — and he agreed — that teenagers be the ones to inspire the congregation to support Israel.
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