Category
Teens
Shoes Carry Life
I have grown up listening to my grandparents\’ stories, studying the history, reading the literature and seeing the pictures. I have become familiar with the atrocities and images of the Holocaust. But I cannot describe the way I felt seeing the infamous sign, \”Arbeit Macht Frei\” on the gate of Auschwitz in color and from inside the gate, instead of outside of it.
Should Model Congress Trump Shabbat?
Being raised Orthodox in the United States, I am often aware that my peers and I do things differently than others: We go to shul on Saturday instead of to the mall, we go to private schools, we dress differently and we recognize that there is a higher being above us. But we do not realize until a much later age, when we leave our sheltered community, just how different we really are and how these differences truly affect us.
The Road to Mississippi
Driving through the deserted streets of New Orleans, we peered through the windows of our charter bus and watched as we drove past miles of destroyed homes. As we approached our destination, Waveland, Miss., the houses became increasingly tattered and decayed; on some lots, only kitchen floors remained. As we approached the shore and our worksite came into view, the entire bus was silenced by the broad stretches of land where only the scattered debris of homes remained.
Why the iPod Generation Cares About Darfur
The power of the rally was not necessarily its numbers, but its message: The \”apathetic youth of America\” are, well, not so apathetic. The event was coordinated by Teens Against Genocide (TAG), a group of greater Los Angeles high school students dedicated to raising awareness about the situation in western Sudan. These teenagers joined the group, and the cause, because they feel so strongly about the issue.
A Circle of Friends
For several weeks, I had been visiting Nathan, a 6-year-old boy diagnosed with autism. We had been brought together through the Conejo Valley Friendship Circle, an organization that extends warmth to families in the community that have children with special needs.
Fading Numbers
\”Zayde, what are those faded numbers on your arm?\” Without completely understanding, I quickly realized that I had revived painful memories of Auschwitz as tears slowly ran down my grandfather\’s cheek. Little did I know, back when I was 6 years old, that my grandfather\’s ability to tell his story would change my life.
Why I Became a NFTY Freak
Debbie Friedman, celebrated Jewish songwriter and singer, wrote the words, \”The youth shall see visions.\” For decades, this song has had a profound impact on Jewish youth of America, instilling value and hope among a generation in search of themselves.
Lift The Ban on Gay Blood Donors
When students arrived at Milken Community High School on the morning of Jan. 10, they were confronted by a large banner reading: \”Did you know homosexual males cannot give blood?\” That was the start of a student-led Equal Blood Campaign to press the FDA to lift its blanket ban on all gay blood donors.
Choosing Pluralism
Attending the North American Association of Jewish High Schools\’ (NAAJHS) leadership conference last year awakened me to the great possibilities of Jewish pluralism. NAAJHS was founded as a forum for Jewish community high schools to exchange ideas and work toward the betterment of Jewish education.
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