SLJ

THE BARRY IRA GRAFF SCHOOL FOR LIVING JUDAISM

SLJ High School Students make their mark on Washington D.C. Every winter, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC) brings over 2,000 high school students from across the country to Washington, D.C. for a weekend of learning about social justice, advocacy, and Jewish values - culminating in a lobby day on Capitol Hill. Our 11th and 12th graders were lucky to be a part of this social justice seminar called L’Taken.

They travelled to Washington, D.C. January 10-13 with Rabbi Keller and SLJ Staff and hundreds of other teens from around the country. They had the opportunity to learn how the Reform Movement applies Jewish perspectives to mobilize around issues like reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, climate change, Israel, health care, and more. They spent time meeting new people, exploring Washington, DC, and traveling to Capitol Hill to meet with Congress and advocate for the things they care about and to make their voices heard! Here is what a couple of our teens had to say about the weekend:

As someone who desires to effect change in the world, either through a career in government or a career in law, I was excited to actualize this want through The Religious Action Center’s L’Taken Social Justice Seminar. Lobbying Senator Scott gave me a real-world view of the legislative and lobbying processes. I will forever cherish the skills I gained and memories I made during this life-changing experience! ~Madison Rosenfield, NFTY-STR President

My experience at L’Taken was truly something that I will proudly look back on for the rest of my life. Throughout the weekend, my fellow classmates and I became educated on a variety of issues currently existing in our country and we learned a variety of ways as to how we can get involved as well as how we can create the change that we wish to see in the world. As a young Jewish adult, nothing filled me with more pride than to experience marching up Capitol Hill with people that I have essentially lived my entire life with. Getting the chance to speak our minds in the offices of our senators and representatives was truly an incredible experience and I am thankful to have been given such an amazing opportunity by Congregation B’nai Israel. ~Bradley Shimel, BISY President