Beth El Produce Swap: Leave one, take one JCRC launches Student to Student in Omaha

PAM MONSKY JCRC Assistant Director

An innovative peer-to-peer program called Student to Student is coming to Omaha! With roots in the St. Louis Jewish community for the past 31 years, Student to Student is a program of Be the Narrative, a national independent organization.

Student to Student empowers Jewish teens to speak authentically about who they are Jewishly, demystifying Judaism by giving presentations in area schools that lack a Jewish presence. Each presenting group of four teens will have a representative from the Conservative, Orthodox, and Reform branches. Across the country, Student to Student reaches thousands of non-Jewish students each year, putting a human face to Judaism.

The program very effectively fights antisemitism as well as helps create young Jewish leaders in our communities--leaders who develop tools to confront the bigotry they will encounter in college and beyond. In addition, we know that STS strengthens participants’ Jewish identities. Though their impact is significant, the time commitment for our teens is minimal. They are effectively changing the world, one classroom at a time.

JCRC is currently accepting nominations from the community of students in the 10th, 11th and 12th grades who are interested in participating in Student to Student. A training session for selected students is being planned for the fall. For more information, and to nominate a student, please contact Pam Monsky, JCRC Assistant Director, at 402.334.6572 or email pmonsky@jewishomaha.org

CAROLE LAINOF

Beth

El Synagogue Volunteer

How did your garden grow? Were you overrun with more tomatoes than you can possibly eat? Did your cucumber haul disappoint? Wishing you had planted oregano or basil? No worries, Beth El has the solution! On Sunday morning, Aug. 27, from 10 a.m. to noon Beth El invites you to our end-ofsummer produce swap. Join us in Beth El’s backyard at ‘The Garden of Eadie‘ and bring your extra home-grown fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers to share. Attendees will also be able to select goodies from the bounty to take home with them. It is also an opportunity to exchange gardening tips or just to chat with fellow gardeners.

Not a gardener? Nothing to exchange? No problem! Stop by and help yourself to the bounty of others and feel free to take some home-grown goodies with you. While there is no charge to participate, a donation to The Garden of Eadie is always appreciated.

We do ask that all gardeners bringing produce please register online at www.bethel-omaha.org by Aug. 21 so we have a good indication of what we will have. If you have any questions, email Robby at rerlich@bethel-omaha.org or call him at 402.492.8550.

Hope to see you in Beth El’s Backyard on Aug. 27! PS... Enjoy some delicious coffee with “Jo-on the Go” (sponsored by the Kowel Family) as you drop off your kids for the first day of BESTT and then join us for the Produce Swap.