NU, November 2014

NU is made possible in part by a grant from The Herb and Milly Iris Youth and Family Philanthropy Endowment Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ

NOVEMBER 13, 2014

ANDREW SILOW-CARROLL Editor-in-Chief

JOANNE BLOOMSTEIN Special Projects Editor

DAYNA NADEL Graphic Designer

RICK KESTENBAUM COO/General Manager

ABBY METH KANTER Managing Editor

PATRICIA R. ROGERS Publication Operations Director

INSIDE In the time of the curtains

3

The kiddush cup

9

High School Games

12

Never forget

4

Matzo brei

9

Life

12

You don’t look Jewish

5

The hand that stole my heart

Personal strides

13

Unless someone like you…

6

Why Israel?

7

My wish list

Notification: Miscommunication

It lights me up

11

For the sake of Danny

15

7

Photography

11

Can we still keep shabbat?

15

String for a cause

8

The leaves

10 10

A student’s dream, a teacher’s worst nightmare 14

12

CONTRIBUTORS Phoebe Brenner, 15, attends Randolph High School.

She enjoys competitive cheerleading, dancing, and tumbling. She also likes to travel to new places.

Desi Brower, 15, attends Livingston High School. She loves so c ce r, b as k etb all, school, and spending time with her friends.

Mack Brower, 16, attends Livingston High School. He loves to play basketball, and also enjoys cooking, playing the baritone saxophone, and hanging out with friends.

Blake Chernin, 17, attends West Morris Mendham High School. Blake enjoys writing and spending time with friends.

Ariel Ezra, 14, attends Bruriah HS, and is passionate about books and writing. She enjoys writing poetry, songs, and stories, and also likes to sing, bike, listen to music, and go to the beach.

Justin Fiszer, 16, attends Randolph HS. He goes to Camp Ramah in the Berkshires, and loves his friends there.

He also loves Israel, Friends re-runs, and cars.

Amanda Glatt, 17, attends Livingston HS. She has a passion for writing and loves reading.

She also enjoys hanging out at the mall, and catching a movie with friends.

Abby Ingber, 16, attends Watchung Hills Regional High School. She wants to follow in her sister Stephanie’s footsteps by writing for Nu. She enjoys soccer, the outdoors, and her friends.

Sydney Luks, 15, formerly attended Glen Ridge High School and now attends the Holmstead School. Sydney enjoys writing, singing, and being social.

Marni Rosenthal, 14, attends Kent Place. She has a longstanding passion for photography. She also enjoys drawing and painting, and incorporating unusual items into three dimensional multi-media works.

Sam Russo, 15, attends Golda Och Academy. He enjoys reading, cooking, hanging out with friends and visiting Israel.

Benjamin Schwartz, 16, lives in West Orange and attends the Frisch School.

He participates in such extracurricular activities as fencing and debate, and is thrilled to be published in NU.

Jacob Nelson, 16, attends Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School. He loves playing football, soccer, and other sports, and also really enjoys spending time with friends and family.

Tal Sharon, 16, attends Livingston HS. She loves playing soccer, hanging out with friends, and helping others. She has two younger sisters and a two-year-old puppy. Her favorite place to go is Israel.

Jake Ostrove, 15, is attends Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School. He plays basketball and baseball and loves sports of any kind. Jake hopes to study sports broadcasting and journalism in college.

Ariella Shua, 16, attends Rae Kushner Yeshiva HS. She has a passion for reading and would love to be a writer or critic.

She enjoys writing, playing volleyball, going online, watching TV, and spending time with friends.

Georgia Slater, 17, attends Westfield High School where she is the Editor-inChief of her school newspaper. She also loves to spend time with friends, writing, and playing the guitar.

Alexa Smith, 17, attends Livingston High School. She is a Diller Teen fellow and Iris Teen Tzedukah alumn.

She enjoys creating digital images Her favorite color is purple.

Hazel Solender, 15, attends Millburn High School. She plays field hockey and softball, enjoys writing and hanging with friends and family. She is excited to be writing for Nu! Jenna Zucker, 15, attends Montclair HS where she is involved with the Civics and Government Institute and Girls Learn International. She enjoys figure skating and learning about her family’s history.

COVER ILLUSTRATION Alexa Smith COVER/INTERIOR DESIGN Dayna Nadel Graphic Designer

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An enduring

LEGACY

A FEW YEARS BACK, New Jersey Jewish News approached Milly Iris with an idea. We knew that she cared deeply about the next generation of community leaders and that she understood that to build Jewish community you had to begin with its youngest members, giving them the solid foundation from which Jewish commitment and responsibility will grow.

Milly and her late husband Herb were committed to shoring up that foundation, through the Herb and Milly Iris Youth and Family Philanthropy Endowment Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ. The fund’s mission is to focus on programs, like the Iris Teen Tzedakah Program, that invite young people as partners in building Jewish community.

Our pitch was simple — to publish a magazine by and for the community’s Jewish teens.

Milly’s response was direct: a yearly gift through the endowment that has enabled us to produce NU, a multiple-award-winning platform for area youth.

Last month came the sad news that Milly had died at the age of 82. The community remembered her as a peerless planner and first-class visionary. They remembered the legacy of good works she created with Herb, including their support for what became the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ and Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel in South Orange. They recalled that rather than succumbing to her grief after Herb’s death, Milly rallied and continued to invest in the future of young people so that they learn the responsibility, and the art, of giving back.

Those who knew Milly Iris always came away feeling amazed by her rare blend of big-picture vision and magnifying-glass attention to detail.

Simply put, Milly knew how to get things done.

In her memory, we will also continue to build on that legacy and to encourage the passionate Jewish teen writers who dedicate their time and talent to sharing their thoughts and ideas for their generation and our community.

Herb and Milly Iris may be gone, but their vision lives on through the young lives they touched. May their daughters Roree Iris-Williams and Kerry Iris and their families be comforted among the mourners of Israel, and may nu their parents’ memory be for a blessing.

Jenna Zucker he big iron door was opened, and they were finally free. They were walking as free women for the first time in months. The American soldiers threw them candy and chewing gum as they marched onto the road. Throughout the commotion, many were suddenly flooded with feelings, feelings they had not felt for months. It was as if they had been emotionless human beings, and as my grandmother said herself, “We were treated like animals.” The fight for survival was over-powering, the women were not themselves during their gut-wrenching experiences. My grandmother was particularly thankful not just to the American soldiers, but also to one German officer. He encouraged the girls in the camp, saying, “We will manage somehow.” The German officer’s boss would often claim he didn’t need my grandmother and the other 1,000 women with her.

The man would always respond claiming he had plenty of work for them, and in many ways that man saved their lives.

The women then walked out into the forest. My grandma looked everywhere to possibly spot the German officer. She wanted him to see that he had saved them, that they were finally free. The women spent that night in the forest searching for a main road. Their footsteps echoed in their ears, their first un-forced

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footsteps in Germany. They had no idea where they were, or where they were going. When the sun rose the next morning they managed to find the main road that led to a few abandoned barns. The following nights were spent in these barns, until finally they stumbled upon a group of vacant houses. The women ate the food left in the houses. They stayed there for a few months, and after some days, very kind German women nearby came to cook them savory meat and fruit pies. It was overwhelming, after months with nothing to eat, to have such rich food that was cooked for them. One of the women in my grandmother’s house was a very talented seamstress. She took the material from the curtains and made everyone a dress to wear. When the women walked outside of the house, the women who once owned the curtains before leaving their homes exclaimed, “That’s my curtain!” They recognized what had happened, but they were not at all angry.

When my grandmother described this to me she grew very animated, smiling and laughing about those curtains. In retrospect, 69 years later, she laughs about the fact that she once wore a curtain. She was not ashamed or embarrassed by wearing a dress made from a curtain, and there was something about the situation that made her laugh, and it made me laugh, too. She was able to see the humor in this particular moment.

It made me realize, this is how she survived. To endure and fight through the adversity and atrocities in her life, she had a strength of character; the character that got her to where she is today. Reflecting on her past, there was a sudden change of character, a side of her I had never seen before. With such intensity and passion her sense of humor and joy was revealed.

It made me realize that this part of her has carried her through life.

She persevered after being told by five specialists that she would be unable to have children because of the injection given to her to stop her monthly cycle in the camps, yet she still did not give up. It is because of that drive and willingness to fight that I am here today, able to share her valuable story with others to recognize that the holocaust must never be forgotten, nu so that it will never happen again.

Jenna Zucker, 15, attends Montclair High School.

The ImporTAnce of Zachor

Justin Fiszer

A

ccording to my tour guide, there is no word in the Hebrew language for “history.” It was a thought-provoking realization; there is no way to say “that is history” in Hebrew. Literally, we opt for the word zachor, in Hebrew, which means remember. This intentional word choice in Hebrew was able to put my trip to Poland in context for me as a Jew. This summer I went to Poland to view several death camps. When one goes to these camps, it is often frustrating to find them void of any evidence of once being in operation.

Many of the camps I went to are simply marked by a memorial, accompanied by an empty field of nothingness. I try my best to imagine what the camp might have looked like, though I’m sure even my worst imaginations are sadly no comparison to their hellish realities. There are very few things to see, and there is nothing to feel. It’s harder to see these empty camps because there is literally no testament to their being. Often, the only remnants of the camp are

the survivors’ testaments as well as stories from the Nazis who ran it themselves. Until I learned the power of zachor.

Jews have always placed a strong importance on history, and the belief that by studying history and its values, we can maintain ourselves as a people. History itself was given a place of even greater importance especially after the disaster of the Holocaust, in which we as Jews found it our mission to “never forget” our past so as to never let it happen again. Yet, as the number of survivors is sadly dwindling, how can we dictate to never forget something that never happened to us? This is the point of zachor. I believe that the word zachor is used instead of a word like history because we as Jews have made it our agenda to have an active part in our own history. We as Jews try our best to not only retell the history of our forefathers, but to remember it as part of our story as the Jewish people.

Here’s an example one rabbi told me on Tisha B’Av: How do we know the Temple ever stood? While there’s no archeological proof of what the Temple looked like, or that it even existed as it did, we know it existed since our forefathers passed down stories of its magnifi-

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cent being. Passing down its existence to this day is all part of remembering the Temple.

By choosing to remember, we are actively choosing to make history personal. The story of the Jewish people as a whole becomes our story when we say that we remember it. “It’s ancient history” isn’t an applicable expression; we make every point in history just as important, no matter its age. Thus we are able to maintain ourselves as a strong people by remembering both the triumphs and downfalls of the Jewish people throughout the ages.

My trip to Poland was one of remembrance.

Just like the grandeur of the Temple in Jerusalem, the Holocaust will be remembered as part of Jewish history by passing down stories from those who have something to share with the next generation. Generations from now, just as our grandchildren will be able to remember the holiness of the Temple, they are tasked with the equal importance of remembering the horrors of the Holocaust. It’s a sad part of our story as a people; but we remember it, and always will. nu Justin Fiszer, 16, attends Randolph High School.

Blake Chernin he smiled brightly and began the litany of questions any Jew in a goyisher town is well used to (No, I don’t feel that jealous of Christmas. No, Hanuka isn’t that big a deal.

No, I don’t—I mean, it isn’t even called…sure, whatever, I speak Jewish). I smiled and answered as politely as possible.

I’d like to know exactly when “You don’t look Jewish” became a compliment. When it’s said, it’s almost always meant as one. If it was only externally, from white gentiles who have been raised with so much privilege that they accidently trip over oppressive language on their way to the bathroom, that would be one thing. It certainly happens, of course, and it certainly is harmful. When a blonde girl with a button nose tells you cheerfully that you don’t look Jewish, it only begs the question: Well, what if I did? I mean, I think I look pretty Jewish. My nose may be on the small side, but my skin is olive like my mother’s and my brown hair curls like so many young girls’ at their bat mitzva. Why, then, do I feel almost a rush of relief when you don’t notice? Why do I say thank you?

But that’s to be expected. We live in a society that values the white physical ideal. My body is patently Jewish; I am short and curvy and dark and forever being told to be tall and skinny pale.

It’s the way of the world.

What’s worse, what turns my stomach, even, is when it comes from the inside.

When aunts and mothers sigh with relief and say, “she doesn’t look Jewish.” If their daughters don’t already want nose jobs, they nudge them closer.

My friends and I straighten our hair into submission. We’ve taken this most backhanded of compliments and internalized it. I grew up feeling othered, surrounded by tall blonde friends, and I know I’m not the only one. It’s enough that society tells Jewish (and Black and Asian and Indigenous and biracial and…) women that they aren’t beautiful; now we’re telling it to each other — worse, to ourselves.

I would like to undo the myth of the ugly Jewish woman here. I know I can’t all at once, but I’d like to start at least.

There is this girl at my school, and her hair is very long and very thick and weaves itself into countless tight ringlets behind her; it is very Jewish hair. It is an auburn-like fire or a sunset you park the car to watch for a while. The only thing brighter is her smile. She is beautiful.

One of my friends is very dark.

Her skin is light brown, her hair is almost black. She’s a very Jewish color. Her nose is big and bent and sets

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her face off perfectly; it is a very Jewish nose. I’ve hardly been with her when she doesn’t turn heads.

She is beautiful.

My body is short and curvy and my skin is olive and my hair is very dark and very curly. I am nu Jewish, I look Jewish, and I am beautiful.

Blake Chernin, 17, attends West Morris Mendham High School.

Abby Ingber

ithin the past two years I have participated in many different forms of community service which have not only benefitted the community, but which have also benefited me immensely. Two summers ago I had visited Costa Rica with a group of people, where I was able to work with underprivileged children, and who over time, I built strong relationships with. I visited the small town of La Carpio, where instead of houses, there were shacks, and rather then living in a clean environment, the inhabitants lived in unsanitary living conditions. Despite these setbacks regarding their quality of life, the people of La Carpio, specifically the children, remained blissful and greeted my friends and me with beaming smiles each day. While spending time with these children, I immediately admired their appreciativeness towards learning given the limited amount of resources they had access to, and their gratefulness towards the little moments in life that we tend to overlook. Coloring with broken crayons or playing with an old soccer ball were both activities that proved to be more then enough to not only satisfy these kids, but make them feel like the luckiest people alive. Despite their deeply impoverished families and finite opportunities, these children always wore a smile on their face and proved that materialistic things are not the key to happiness. With their unwavering positive attitudes, it made me realize how insignificant my problems and concerns were back home. When working with these kids, I

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was blessed to have being given the chance to observe a more hopeful and thankful viewpoint on life, one that I am not typically accustomed to.

This summer I had taken a trip to the University of Wisconsin. While taking classes at the campus for four weeks, I was involved in various community services. Each day I participated in a different form of service, which allowed me to invest myself into many different projects and adapt to many unique settings. My activities consisted of volunteering at a food bank, visiting a nursing home and animal shelter, cleaning gardens in a retirement home, and reading to elementary aged students. Volunteering at these places introduced me to environments I was previously unfamiliar with. While engaging myself in the community of Madison, Wisconsin, I developed a sense of their culture and was able to identify with their way of life.

After my trip to Wisconsin, I then worked for a week at a day camp in my area, called Life Camp. Although Costa Rica and Wisconsin were amazing places to visit, working at this small camp in New Jersey was equally worthwhile. Within moments of arriving at Life Camp, I recognized it as a haven for underprivileged children from Newark. Although these children may be identified as less fortunate than others, they appreciated being at a place where they could thrive and participate in fun summer activities. The children at this camp ranged from elementary school to middle school, all of whom were happy and grateful to be not only a part of camp, but also of a warm, welcoming community. As a volunteer at this camp, I was able to watch kids of many different ages have fun and obtain camp experiences while playing sports, meeting new friends, and discovering their artistic talents. Life Camp provided these children with a chance to branch out of their regular urban environments and enjoy their summer, while I was fortunate enough to take part in their enjoyment.

I strongly encourage anyone reading this article to volunteer in a similar manner, as you will find that helping others is a rewarding experience for those you help, as well as for nu yourself.

Abby Ingber, 16, attends Watchung Hills Regional High School.

Sam Russo s a people and a religion, Judaism has experienced tremendous persecution and discrimination. From the beginning of Jewish history, Jews have almost never been able to assimilate. The very first Jew, Abraham, was mocked for his monotheistic beliefs, and from then on, Jews were always treated as outsiders.

They were persecuted and subjected to multiple attempts at annihilation, expelled from a myriad of countries, and ostracized from other groups.

Even when, as a people, Jews did begin to assimilate, it became their downfall; in the years leading up to the Holocaust in Germany, Jews had become doctors, lawyers, and government officials, but just years later were being brutally murdered. Nevertheless, the Jews have endured for over 2,500 years and remain an intact people today for one important reason: Israel.

The most important part of the modern fight for Jewish survival could be the state of Israel. It provides a place for Jews to be who they are without blending in.

Perhaps the most miraculous aspect of modern Judaism is the creation and defense of the state of Israel. In 1948, a fledgling Jewish militia was attacked by the armies of five surrounding countries. Israel’s defense forces not only defeated them but has since strongly protected the Jewish homeland, even

though they are outnumbered by their enemies by a ratio larger than 50 to one.

The land mass of the Middle East and North Africa is 8,641,070 square miles, of which Israel has just 10,425 square miles.

Against these tremendous odds, Israel has not only survived but flourished. It is known as a country of humanitarianism, so when Haiti, a third-world country, suffered from a massive earthquake in 2010, Israel was among the first responders to set up an advanced field hospital for tremor victims.

Israel is also considered to be exceptional in the field of innovation. Only Canadians earn more post-secondary degrees per capita than Israelis.

Israel is second only to China in the amount of foreign firms traded on Nasdaq.

Israel has never been overwhelmed by her problems and always has an answer.

When rockets were being fired from Gaza, Israel developed a missile defense system called the Iron Dome. At the same time that Israel develops and grows, leaders of Israel’s neighboring

countries aim for anything but peace.

Avi Dichter, former head of the Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service, was once asked in an interview to predict the future of the Middle East. He responded by relating the following story: “Twenty years ago, I sat in a jail with sheik Amhad Yassin. He told me, ‘Avi, you be sure that your presence in east Jerusalem will remain in twenty years over my dead body.’” Dichter continued, “We are today in east Jerusalem and his body is dead for ten years.”

There is no clear answer for why the Jewish people have survived for so long, but it cannot have been an accident.

No other religion or nation has been expelled from its rightful homeland twice, only to return proudly almost 2,000 years later. No other people has survived persecution through two major genocides in under 600 years.

We must continue with this unbroken chain by working to protect our state and homeland, Israel. nu Sam Russo, 15, attends Golda Och Academy.

Notification: Miscommunication Ariella Shua

Dear adults, “Why are you so addicted to technology?” is a question that you all seem to love asking us teens. Usually you pose it with a negative undertone and a sense that you are thinking, ‘in my day and age, this never would have happened.’ But personally, I just don’t understand why the fact that we love technology is so confusing. Teenagers nowadays were the first generation to really grow up as technology grew along with us. We still remember the CD-ROMs and flip phones and have fond memories of them. We remember that feeling of awe as the first iPhone made its debut in 2007, and we watched it grow and mature as we did. We were there as our social lives made their way on to screens and we felt the need to let everyone know what we were thinking, and where, and with

whom, at every moment. It may have been created and intended for you adults, but we were there when you brought home an iPad for the first time and when YouTubers began to achieve fame. We were just as fascinated as you were- and don’t try to pretend that you weren’t fascinated, because we remember that you thought it just as cool as we didas all of the new music players and phones got created. We remember the switch from VCR to DVD, and we watched as the family computer went from being wide and bulky to slim and sleek. We recall the moment when you taught us that we didn’t have to watch our favorite shows live on busy homework nights, and we soon found that our DVRs got filled up with your shows as well.

We watched as most of you traded in your “dumb phones” over the years and bought ones with Internet and touch screens, and

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we did the same. We can see that flash of excitement in your eyes as a new iPhone or Android is announced, and we know that you are anxiously counting down the days to your update, just like we are. We may be constantly checking our Facebooks and Twitters, but you are constantly checking your emails and our Facebooks and Twitters, too.

We may be addicted to the ever- advancing technology that surrounds us, but we know that we are, we understand that we are, and we are trying to become less addicted. The thing we don’t understand is why you adults don’t see that you are addicted as well, and why you seem to think it is our fault for it happening to us. After all, who brought these nu devices to our lives in the first place?

Ariella Shua, 15, attends Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School.

for a cauSe Georgia Slater n an effort to raise support and donate money toward the Israel Emergency Fund, Westfield resident Maxine Schwartz embellished the popular Kabbalah “red string bracelet” to sell to the greater community.

According to kabbalah.com, Kabbalah is the world’s oldest body of spiritual wisdom, and the Kabbalah bracelet, according to Schwartz, “is worn to ward off evil and protect its wearer.”

Said Schwartz, “I started making the bracelets about two years ago. [They] are my interpretation of the traditional red string Kabbalah bracelet . . . When the conflict began in the Middle East this summer I wanted to do something to help. So I decided to sell these red string bracelets and donate all profits for humanitarian purposes in Israel.”

According to Schwartz, 100 percent of the proceeds were donated to the Israel Emergency Fund to help the people of Israel during a difficult time of war; the fund supports purely humanitarian efforts. For example, some of the donations were used to provide activity kits to lift up the spirits of those children and teens confined to bomb shelters, according to the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ. Said Schwartz: “I had a bunch of college students, high schoolers, and even moms in Westfield and the area volunteer their time to make the bracelets, too. We sat around my kitchen table and made thousands of bracelets. It was a great summer, community-minded activity.”

Since the start of Schwartz’s “red string bracelet” project on July 17, she has raised more than $34,000, with each bracelet priced at $25. Bracelets were purchased by people in the U.S., the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, Norway and Israel, according to Schwartz.

Although this specific project donating to the Israel Emergency Fund has recently come to a close, the bracelets will still be available for purchase and a percentage of profits will still be donated for humanitarian purposes in the Middle East.

After the success of the “red string bracelets,” Schwartz decided to create a “pink string bracelet” to sell as a fundraiser during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The proceeds are being donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

To buy a “red string” or “pink string” bracelet contact Maxine Schwartz nu or visit her website at masdesignsjewelry.com.

Georgia Slater, 16, attends Westfield High School.

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BJECTS OF AFFECTION THE KIDDUSH CUP

‫גביע לקידוש‬ Desi Brower

O

ur Kiddush Cup reflects my family’s values. It sits with us at our Passover meal in the middle of the Seder plate. It sits with us at Shabbat dinner.

It is there to remind us of our traditions and our heritage. The sweetness of the wine we put in our Kiddush Cup represents our affection for each other. The acidity of the wine reminds us of the bitter times we’ve had in our lives. Pouring it into the Kiddush Cup helps us to remember that we must always stick together and be there for each other. The Kiddush Cup is the heart of our family and it reassures me that family is forever. nu

Desi

Brower,

ho 15, attends Livingston High Sc

Matzo Brei Mack Brower

O

n Passover morning we always looked forward to waking up to the smell of my Grandmother’s famous Matzo Brei. The family all awoke with smiles on their faces. Still half asleep we helped set the table; the main thing pushing up to get it done was the mouth-watering smell of my grandma’s Matzo Brei frying in the pan. As the chores were finished we sat down and waited for the joyous words, “Come and eat.” My siblings and I would shoot up from the cozy couch and grin from ear to ear because we had been waiting for this fantastic meal all year long. We each chose to season our Matzo Brei differently. While I preferred to add salt, my sister liked to add sugar, and my brother always chose syrup.

As we happily sat together munching on our Matzo Brei, I realized that each seasoning represented a moment in our lives. Adding sugar

ol.

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reminded me of the wonderful memories we had, such as our annual family reunions where we get to visit with cousins from near and far. As the syrup was poured, I found myself wishing that life could be slowed down so that we would have more of these happy times together. The salt would shake things up because it changed the taste as well as the mood. It allowed us to also remember some of the sad times we had encountered including, eventually, the loss of THIS dear grandmother.

Since her passing, we have each tried to recreate her delicious meal but nothing comes close. Her magnificent Matzo Brei will always be an object of my affection and I will forever cherish these moments with my family. We need to remember to stick together just like the eggs holdnu ing on to the Matzo.

Mack Brower, 16, attends Livingston High School.

BJECTS OF AFFECTION

The hand that stole my Hazel Solender

T

he hamsa is a symbol of protection for many societies. For me, it symbolizes more than that. I spent my summer working at Camp Yachad, which is located at the JCC in Scotch Plains. There I learned so much about my Jewish identity, and I had one of the best summers of my life. I worked in Jewish Values, and in this activity we did Jewish themed crafts, including one where the children made hamsas. From then on, I have had a special connection to this symbol.

A hamsa reminds me of the friends that I made there, and the countless Shabbats that I celebrated in the gym of the JCC. There was a band on stage, and hundreds of kids ranging from four to fourteen dancing around it. It was a beautiful sight to see, and I am reminded of it every day. The question is: how? The week after the camp ended, I was in Westfield shopping with two of my friends. We stopped in Urban Outfitters, and while there, we found the perfect ring. It is a hamsa, with a tiny heart in the middle. It reminded me of summer, and of the experiences that I had. It connects me to my Jewish identity, and the pride that I feel in being Jewish. My friends bought it for me, as a gift for my birthday. I have worn it every day since. Every time I look down at my left pinkie, I see the hamsa looking back at me.

My Jewish identity is connected to this ring, and it holds a special place in my heart. It reminds me of this amazing summer I had, working at a Jewish camp and disnu covering my Jewish identity.

Phoebe Brenner

Hazel Solender, 15, attends Millburn High School.

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PHOTOGRAPHY

BJECTS OF AFFECTION

It lights me up Jacob Nelson

Tal Sharon, 16, attends Livingston High School.

T

his is a menorah that I made as a small toddler. It really means a lot to me because it represents a connection that I had to Judaism as a child. Remembering this connection always reminds of my roots, which are extremely important when practicing Judaism. When I look at this menorah I see myself working hard to put it together, looking forward to doing the mitzva of lighting the menorah. This in turn makes nu me look forward to doing even more today.

Jacob Nelson, 16, attends the Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School.

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Marni Rosenthal, 14, attends Kent Place School.

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college choice Selection • Application • Essay • Interview • Tour

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973-263-0421 www.mickeygilbertscollegechoice.com If you would like to contribute to the next issue of Nu, contact Joanne Bloomstein Marni Rosenthal

jbloomstein@njjewishnews.com

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A BLACK WAVE IN A SEA OF LIGHT, A RAVEN IN A FLOCK OF DOVES, A CLOUD ON A PERFECT DAY, THERE’S ALWAYS THAT ONE FLAW. A RAY OF LIGHT IN A ROOM OF SHADOWS, A LONE STAR IN THE DARK NIGHT SKY, A ROSE AMONG THE THORNS, THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE WHEN THERE SEEMS THERE’S NONE. WITH EVERY LIFE COMES DEATH WITH EVERY BEGINNING COMES AN END, LIFE SEEMS TO BE LIKE THIS BECAUSE IF NOT,THERE WOULD BE NO POINT AT ALL.

Welcome to the jungle where dreams die.

Where “worthless” is more common than your first name. The sea of lip gloss and mint gum wrappers, The perfect formula for disaster. The place where people drown themselves in pills and potions Just to take the stress away. And name-calling is as reoccurring as an after-school snack. The age where you will be judged and ridiculed for anything and everything you do, Showing no mercy. In this society you can never win. These are High School’s wicked games. Are you ready to play?

Ariel Ezra Sydney Luks, 15, attends The Holmstead School.

12 nu november 2014

Alexa Smith eft foot. Right foot. Click Clack. Scuff Scuff. While walking in New York City several years ago, I found myself scattering among a parade of shoes. It was about 7 p.m. on a bright summer night and the delectable scent of roasted cinnamon filled the air of each congested avenue. I was giggling with a group of friends; I was feeling happy. Until I wasn’t. The later it got, the sky began to turn darker, along with my mood. The laughter from my friends slowly shaped into snark directed toward an innocent couple who merely did not seem to “fit in.”

During the nine years of my existence, I always knew girls had crushes on boys. This was the first time I had encountered a girl hand in hand with another girl. While my friends chortled, I just wondered. How could a girl love another girl? Subconsciously, I glanced down at their feet. One girl had studded black heels on and the other had torn up sneakers. This would later be the stereotypical lesbian couple. Even though I liked boys (and only boys), I couldn’t find it in my heart to hoot along with my friends. Do they know people are laughing at them? Again, I looked over at the one girl’s tattered sneakers and wondered why she would not buy new ones. I then realized that maybe those shoes could inadvertently be a visual representation of her untraditional life.

In middle school, many shoes roamed the halls. Some girls wore the same shoes to fit in. Others wore shoes that did not fit in at all. And that was that. If you had the right shoes, you were cool, and if you did not, well then good luck to you. When entering the bathroom, I always checked the floor of each stall to see if any cool girls were in there. If “weird” shoes appeared, then the coast was clear. I spent the rest of middle school this way, brainwashed by the pressures of societal norms. Almost hesitant to admit, I would question why some girls who were “uncool” would wear nice shoes. What’s the point? Who are they showing off to? Clearly, I thought I had it all: attractive looks, 13 nu november 2014

cool friends, good grades, cute shoes, and most importantly, modesty.

Somewhere during middle school, I had lost my sympathetic nineyear-old heart amidst pre-conceived notions of what it takes to fit in.

I had misplaced my ability to stand in other people’s shoes.

When high school came around, I polished my beliefs and stuck to them. My past judgments were all laced up and knotted in a dormant shoebox in the back of my closet. The best decision I had ever made was to kick off the new school year with an open mind. After joining a leadership program called Diller, I made friends with a diverse group of students with whom I would not have normally associated.

Although the group was a mix of lesbians, gays, straights, musicians,

artists, and early Einsteins, we each had one thing in common: our love for making a difference in this tense world. Through Diller, each one of us broadened his or her once narrowed eyes. We overcame our instinctive middle school ability to judge people before getting to know them. Diller taught us that perspective is key. We used this skill as a tool to give back to our community. During one of our programs, we all had to take off our shoes and create messages of hope with our laces. In that moment, I had an epiphany. With each shoe comes a story. Shoes not only protect our feet, but our identities. We all have our ups and downs, but at the end of the day, it is our shoes that allow nu us to keep walking forward.

Alexa Smith, 17, attends Livingston High School.

A Student’S

dream,

A teAcher’S WorSt

nightmAre Amanda Glatt

Where’s the first place a student goes when an assignment is given in class?

Wikipedia, of course. The beauty of Wikipedia is that there are numerous pages devoted to a huge number of topics, helping students everywhere to complete homework.

Books? Nah. Encyclopedias? Nah. Journals? Nah. Credited sources?

Nah. Just Wikipedia!

By searching for the term Wikipedia on Wikipedia.org, I found many cool facts about Wikipedia. Yes: facts. Wikipedia does verify sources, and over the years has become steadily more and more reliable….at least to students. At the bottom of each “Wiki” page is a list of references that were used by the editors. According to this specific page, last edited on October 8th, 2014 there were 351 notes/sources. So teachers, there are references, and therefore we can get around your “no Wikipedia referencing” rules.

There are almost 20 million pages on Wikipedia, ranging from those about presidents to those concerning albums by the group “Chiodos.”

Just from clicking the link for random articles on Wikipedia any kind of article can pop up. These articles are great to skim during free time, because in class and with friends you can spout new and interesting information. Teachers and peers will believe the reader of this great site to be very knowledgeable, and maybe they will receive extra credit.

From the original Wikipedia many new projects have sprung such as “Wiktionary,” “Wikiversity,” “Wikibooks,” “Wikiquote,” and many more. So now there is a link from Wikipedia that students can go to for anything. Need a book, click! Need a quote, click! Need a definition for English class, click! Life is made simpler by Wikipedia and its sister projects.

Teachers, teachers, teachers; why do most of you dislike Wikipedia?

Is it because homework is made so much easier? Or students can find sources with just a click? No. It is because of the fact that editors can put misinformation on the site, and therefore students can turn in the wrong information. However, while surfing Wikipedia I found a page on Wikipedia specifically for those who doubt its genius. “Wikipedia: Researching with Wikipedia,” explains all a surfer has to know before delving into the cornucopia that is Wikipedia. Yes, the articles are not written by experts, and, yes, they aren’t always 100 percent perfect, but as a first step Wikipedia is great for research.

The beauty of Wikipedia is in the way a student can click on the website in their “favorites” list near the top of the webpage, type in a topic, click search, and read with wide eyes and big grins. Wikipedia brings joy to otherwise dismal assignments and was a great invention. For example, this whole article was started just by clicking on my nu favorites list and entering the world of “Wiki.”

Amanda Glatt, 17, attends Livingston High School.

14 nu november 2014

Jake Ostrove n 2005, when he was just 21, Philadelphia native and Western Kentucky superstar Danny Rumph collapsed on the court of a local gym during a pickup basketball game. He died later that night in the hospital after doctors were unable to resuscitate his heart. For the last nine years, basketball players that are native to Philadelphia come out to play in a tournament in his honor. Some of these players played basketball at the collegiate level and in the pros.

The Danny Rumph Classic raises money to put defibrillators in local gyms.

Every year, the tournament runs over a weekend in August.

Over the course of the weekend, the bleachers are packed and the crowd is bouncing with every minute that passes. Every player is out

there to not only win the game, but also to put on a show for the crowds that come.

This past summer, I went to the Philadelphia Community College for the championship basketball game of the Danny Rumph Classic. Notable players included Sacramento Kings forward Jason Thompson and former Golden State Warriors forward Hakim Warrick. I had the opportunity to interview some of the players and coaches after the game. While the basketball play is the main attraction, the show of tikun olam is spectacular. The Jewish concept of tikun olam means “fixing the world” as a community, whether it’s the Jewish community or the greater community as a whole. Every player comes and plays their heart out for this tournament. Coach Kyle Sample, who coached the Skeem Team to victory in the championship game, said, “It’s not about a win or a loss; I just want to give back. It doesn’t get better than this.”

Danny’s impact was felt throughout the gym, which was filled to the top of the bleachers by tip-off. Everybody was buying

merchandise, donating whatever money they had to the tournament’s charity, the Daniel E. Rumph II Foundation. Even the players noted the atmosphere and energy in the building. Skeem Team guard Scottie Reynolds, who led the Villanova Wildcats to the Final Four in 2009, said, “Philly is a special place, especially to play basketball. I’m honored to come back here and play, and every time I can, I want to put on a show for everyone.”

This tournament embodies the concept of tikun olam. Just this September, a defibrillator saved a high school track player after he collapsed during a track meet. It was reported at the time that doctors were unsure if the student would have survived without the defibrillator that the Daniel E. Rumph II Foundation put there.

The Danny Rumph Classic is an amazing tournament, and I would not have been able to experience it without the help of Jeremy Treatman and Play By Play Sports Broadcasting Camp. I’ve attended Play by Play for the past three summers, and they truly have opened new opportunities for any aspiring sports broadcaster. The Danny Rumph Classic is an incredible tournament for a great cause, and I hope to be a nu part of it in summers to come.

Jake Ostrove, 15, attends Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School.

TH

R PR O O U G G R H A O M U S T R TH U E N YE AR

Benjamin Schwartz ecently there has been a lot of debate throughout the Jewish community concerning the new “Shabbos App” which claims that it allows users to text on Shabbat without violating any strict observance (Halachot) of Shabbat. The makers claim that the app can be used on a Smartphone on Shabbat in the same restricted way that we use other electrical items on Shabbat, such as refrigerators, hot water urns, etc.

During Simchat Torah, the Jewish holiday celebrating the annual completion of the reading of the Torah, I stayed in New Rochelle for a B’nai Akiva “Simchaton.” It was a three-day getaway in which I was able to reconnect with friends from the summer and have a spiritual holiday.

On the day of Simchat Torah, a discussion was held concerning the Shabbos App — not about any possible halachik issues with it, but the very idea of creating an app to “give in” to daily pressures. The question posed to the participants was the following: Does the creation this circumvention of halacha suggest that our generation can no longer maintain Shabbat? Have we “lost the battle” against the temptations of technology to the point where we need a way to use phones on Shabbat?

After several minutes of intense discussion, one kid in the room raised an interesting point — that the Shabbos App’s purpose was the polar opposite of the Shabbat Project. The Shabbat Project was a worldwide event that took place on Saturday, Oct. 25, with the goal of having all types of Jews come together and celebrate Shabbat and to “keep it in its entirety.” The Shabbos app and the Shabbat Project have contrasting goals — the former, to acquiesce to the pressures and temptations of the rest of the world, and the latter, to bring together the Jewish community to preserve the sanctity of Shabbat.

In my community of West Orange, hundreds of Jews came together to celebrate Shabbat as part of the Shabbat Project. After witnessing the success of the Shabbat Project, my belief in the second approach has been affirmed. Instead of making an invention to allow temptation to win, why not make an effort to preserve the sanctity of Shabbat? Shabbat can be observed — as it has been for generations — as long as Jews can nu withstand daily pressures and outside influences.

Benjamin Schwartz, 16, attends the Frisch School.

SUNDAY MORNING

LEARNING COMMUNITY MITZVAH MANIA

Iris Teen

Tzedakah ALEXANDER MUSS HIGH SCHOOL

MITZVOT OF GREATER METROWEST

J-Serve DESTINATION: JEWISH SERVICE LEARNING

SeniorITIS

Senior Institute for Teens In-Service

JEWISH LEARNING IS

FUN! SERIOUSLY. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT

WWW.JTEENGMW.ORG 15 nu november 2014

DILLER TEEN FELLOWS March of The Living

Iris Teen Tzedakah Program The

Teens Make a — Difference in

Your Community!

Become a Teen Tzedakah Advisor for The

Iris Teen Tzedakah Program What Is The Iris Teen Tzedakah Program?

It is an opportunity to make a real difference in our local community and around the world through charitable giving based on what we learn together.

We will explore how our Jewish community responds to Jewish and other people in need locally, globally, and in Israel. During this two-year program, you will work together with your teen peers and various organizations that can change our community and change the world.

How Does All This Happen?

You, along with every Iris Teen Tzedakah Advisor will contribute $200 of your own money each year into a “pool” with all the other teen Advisors. Those funds will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Herb Iris Youth and Family Philanthropy Endowment.

You and other teens will oversee this philanthropic fund and decide how to allocate the money to programs and needs that interest you.

You will take part in important meetings and programs throughout these two years with Jewish community leaders, experienced philanthropists, and experts who will teach you about our community and the values and traditions of Jewish giving.

This program will ultimately give you the most valuable gift—the power to make a difference!

How Do I Become A Teen Tzedakah Advisor?

High school freshmen and sophomores who are interested in this program are asked to submit an application and come to a personal interview.

Who do I contact for more information?

Shaina Goldberg, Coordinator of Jewish Service Learning at The Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life, 973-929-2966, sgoldberg@thepartnershipnj.org.

Supported by the Herb & Milly Iris Youth and Family Philanthropy Endowment. A collaborative project of The Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life and the Jewish Community Foundation of MetroWest.