NU • May 2015 by New Jersey Jewish News

fresh ideas from garden state teens

g elon b o t ging Lon n atio m r i f con n My atio z i l a re ld wor e h t ring i a p Re

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

may 28, 2015

MAY 28, 2015

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

My confirmation realization

What I learned on the way to the bomb shelter

The dying sea

The wagons

What say U

The vitiation

A relative theory

Repairing the world

Longing to belong

Without missing a step

The line

Fame

Devotion

Wondering why?

My tallit

Photography

CONTRIBUTORS Evie Barr, 13, Samantha Fern, attends middle 16, is a sophoschool in NJ. more at LivingShe enjoys ston High School. reading, writing, She is an avid and hanging out volleyball player. with friends. She also enjoys hanging out with her friends, science, and Desi Brower, 15, listening to music. attends Livingston High School. Justin Fiszer, She loves soccer, 16, attends Ranbasketball, school, dolph HS. He and spending goes to Camp time with her friends. Ramah in the Berkshires, and loves his friends there. He also Mack Brower, loves Israel, Friends re-runs, 16, attends Livand cars. ingston High School. He loves to play basketball, Nina Gerszberg, and also enjoys 14, attends the cooking, playing the baritone Joseph Kushner saxophone, and hanging out Hebrew Acadwith friends. emy. She enjoys reading and hanging out with friends. Siona Ely, 13, attends Mount Hebron Middle Abby Ingber, School in Mont16, attends clair. She enjoys Watchung Hills reading, writing, Regional High playing piano, biking, and School. She wants hanging out with friends and to follow in her family. sister Stephanie’s footsteps by writing for Nu. She enjoys soccer, the outdoors, and her Ariel Ezra, 14, friends. attends Bruriah HS, and is pasSydney Luks, 15, sionate about attends the Holbooks and writmstead School. ing. She enjoys Sydney enjoys writing songs and stories, singwriting, singing, ing, biking, listening to music, and being social. and going to the beach.

Naomi Meininger, 12, attends Tenakill Middle School. She likes all her classes, and loves reading, writing, and hanging out with friends. Naomi hopes to one day compose a script for an episode her favorite TV show, Once Upon A Time.

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.

Hazel Solender, 15, attends Millburn High Jacob Nelson, School. She 16, attends plays field Rae Kushner hockey and Yeshiva High softball, enjoys writing and School. He hanging with friends and loves playing family. She is excited to be football, soccer, and other sports, and also really enjoys writing for Nu! spending time with friends Jenna Zucker, and family. 16, attends Montclair HS Aaron Rafelson, where she is 15, attends involved with Montville the Civics and Township High Government School. He runs Institute and Girls Learn track and cross International. She enjoys county during the school figure skating and learning year and goes to camp about her family’s history. during the summer.

COveR aRT Mack Brower COveR/INTeRIOR deSIgN Dayna Nadel Graphic Designer

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The enduring legacy of an incredible Team 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. A peerless planner and first-class visionary, Milly Iris was a creative force behind the abundant generosity of her husband, Herb Iris. Together, the two role models not only made a difference, but inspired those around them by example. Although Herb Iris passed away in 2006, and Milly Iris passed away in 2014, the Iris family’s legacy lives on in the Herb and Milly Iris youth and family Philanthropy endowment fund of the Jewish Community foundation of Greater Metrowest NJ, founded in 2006 shortly after Herb’s death. 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. Nu is a recipient of the endowment’s generosity, but more importantly, the magazine is a beneficiary of Milly and Herb Iris’ dream for the future. It is a fitting legacy that the Iris endowment supports passionate Jewish teen writers, who dedicate their time and considerable talent to sharing their thoughts and ideas for their generation and our community. Little wonder that Milly and Herb Iris’ daughters, roree Iris-williams and Kerry Iris, continue to memorialize their parents by investing in the future of young people so that they learn the responsibility, and the art, of giving back. for Milly and Herb Iris, giving back was a way nu of life.

Hazel Solender

What does Judaism mean to a teenage girl?

owards the end of September, I was confirmed. To most people, this means that they have finally graduated from Hebrew High School. However, it did not mean this to me. Being confirmed was a confusing concept for me. No one had ever truly explained what it meant, so I was a little lost. The most boggling part of this experience for me was writing a speech about my Jewish identity. Every time I sat down to write it, I had no idea what to say. It took me a while

to figure this out. That is when I realized: the answer to this question was not supposed to be easy. That was the point of the speech! I had to open myself up and truly search for what made me Jewish. And by doing this, I discovered what it was. I decided that no person or place could define my Judaism. It was an emotion: pride. Once I knew this, the words were flowing directly onto the paper, without hesitation. I had looked inside myself and found my answer.

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So to solve my previous mystery about what confirmation meant to me, it became the chance to re-evaluate my Judaism and dig deep. It was not a graduation, or even an end. It was a beginning, because it connected me to how I feel about Judaism today. I walk around, feeling that pride that I only realized was there weeks before. And it could not nu make me happier. Hazel Solender, 15, attends Millburn High School.

WHAT I LEARNED ON THE WAY TO THE B MB SHELTER Aaron Rafelson

or the month of July 2014, I was in Israel for the first time in my life. Thanks to Destination: Jewish Service Learning, a grant program of The Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life (see box), I was able to spend five weeks in Israel with NJ Y camp’s Teen Age Camp in Israel. I saw, stayed, and volunteered at a multitude of places, ranging from hotels, to a kibbutz, to a camp where kids who had an immediate family member killed by terrorists could get the therapy and recreation they need. What I experienced at this camp will stick with me and alter my feelings toward Israel forever. Camp Koby is named for Koby Mandell, a 13-year-old American-born boy who, along with a friend, was murdered by terrorists near their home in Israel in 2001. When we arrived at Camp Koby, the first thing I noticed were the activities. The basketball court had a mini-water slide and trampolines, and about 10 feet away there was a mechanical bull to ride. Kids of varying ages were running around, seeming to have the time of their lives. I could not wait to get to know the kids and interact with them. The second thing I noticed was the camp resembled a kibbutz more than a camp. Each building had a different name and there were walking paths to get to the places where most people stayed. There was even a preschool. Our trip leader explained the mission of the camp, which is to provide regular camp activities as well as therapeutic programs to help children cope with the emotional issues associated with their tragedy. At that moment I thought about all of the kids I saw at the camp when we drove in. They seemed not to have a care in the world, so I guess you could say the camp was doing its job. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get my mind off the fact that every single camper there was affected by terror, and somehow continued to live their lives without fear. One night, during an evening pro-

gram at the basketball courts, I was on my way to the restroom when I heard a sound I had never heard before: a missile siren. All that month Israel had been fighting in response to Hamas missiles from Gaza, and our trip itinerary was adjusted to ensure our safety. For a split second I was frozen, awed by what might happen in the next few minutes. I snapped back to reality. I remembered exactly where the nearest bomb shelter was and sprinted there. Luckily it was less than 50 feet away. I was one of the first people in there so I got see the reactions of other people as they arrived. Most were scared, some just brushed it off, others were shocked. One kid on our program took a bomb shelter selfie. From now on, I thought, even if I felt at home in Israel, I had to be more mature and take care of myself. If I wasn’t with a teen tour, I might not have known what to do and where to go. Then I looked over at the Israeli kids in the shelter. I realized, with the exception of some of the youngest ones, this was normal for them. They showed no fear and looked anxious to get out of there. Once we were allowed out after the required 10-minute wait, we were told that the missile had come from Lebanon in the north, not Gaza. While they were talking I heard a loud sound. No one said anything about it, so I assumed it was the Iron Dome shooting down a missile. As we packed up the bus to leave the next morning, I wondered if I would ever come back to the camp. I was only there for a few days but Camp Koby would never leave me. Throughout the rest of the trip, I never went into another shelter. But every time I hear about a bomb hitting an area of Israel or the death of a civilian or soldier, I thought of those kids. I knew that as long as those kids could have fun, this country and its people would thrive and survive. I now feel more connected to Israel and have a deeper understanding of life nu in my homeland. Aaron Rafelson, 15, attends Montville Township High School.

DESTINATION: JEWISH SERVICE LEARNING is a grant program administered through The Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life, the Jewish identity-building organization of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ. Grants are available to any teen in the Greater MetroWest area who is going on a Jewish Service Learning trip. Applicants must demonstrate a personal commitment to social justice and civic-mindedness and must participate in a program with a strong commitment to community service framed through a Jewish lens. If you have questions about Destination: Jewish Service Learning, eligible programs, and grant information, contact Rabbi Shmuel Greene at sgreene@thepartnershipnj.org.

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Dying Sea The

Benjamin Schwartz

mid all of the recent excitement surrounding Israel, a major issue has been left virtually un-discussed: the Dead Sea. The famous landmark is facing a whirlwind of problems. Current estimates expect the Dead Sea to evaporate by 2050, sinkholes are popping up at an extremely high rate in the area, and the integrity of the Sea itself is in jeopardy. The Dead Sea is a true cornucopia; its significance cannot be overstated. It is an area that has religious importance, as King David supposedly dwelled there for a time. It has historical notability; Aristotle, Pliny the Elder, and Josephus all wrote about the area. Also, the Dead Sea has provided archeological wonders, such as the appropriately named Dead Sea Scrolls. And in today’s day and age, it provides the State of Israel with substantial revenue by attracting tourists to the vicinity and by fueling a market dependent on its unique minerals. But this invaluable landmark is in a precarious predicament. The Jordan River used to be the Dead Sea’s main tributary, providing 450 billion gallons of water annually, but since the 1970s it has only contributed a meager twenty percent of that. This change has caused a paradigm shift in the situation of the Dead Sea; it has shrunk rapidly since the 70s and is expected to dry up within the next thirty-five years. The issue has become more urgent recently due to an increase in the materialization of sinkholes in the region, caused by the changes in the Dead Sea. To date, the sinkholes number over 4,000.1 In late February, the Israeli and Jordanian governments agreed on a course of action to attempt to salvage the Dead Sea. The plan agreed upon was to create a pipeline transporting 300 million cubic meters of water annually from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea in order to prevent the landmark’s demise. As an added benefit of the project, some of the water transported from the Red Sea will be desalinated by Israeli desalination plants and distributed between Jordan and Israel, with Israel choosing to give a portion to the Palestinian Authority.2 There is strong opposition to the plan by environmental groups that claim the mixing of the two disparate waters will cause a severe impact on the ecosystem of the Dead Sea.3 The Dead Sea’s plight should be a cause of introspection for all people. Life often hands people difficult situations, just as the Dead Sea faces a difficult situation today. The Dead Sea’s plight directly parallels that of its home country. A landmark that has endured for generations is at risk of annihilation, just as Israel’s very existence is threatened by Iran. While many are critical of the current plan proposed by the Obama administration regarding Iran, taking action to overcome harsh circumstances is not easy and is often risky, but it is necessary. If measures are not taken to save the Dead Sea, nature will take its course and abolish it from the Earth. And if people remain silent in the face of threats and opposition, hardships will continue, nu unabated. Benjamin Schwartz, 16, attends the Frisch School.

1. news.discovery.com/earth/oceans/puzzling-sinkholes-are-opening-up-along-the-dead-sea-150407.htm 2. dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-2970884/Jordan-Israel-sign-deal-help-save-Dead-Sea.html 3. Ibid

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Jenna Zucker

The Wagons

e were treated like animals,” my grandmother said. Her voice was filled with passion and her concentration was so clear. My grandma has always been very sweet and quiet while my grandpa takes care of all of the talking. As the years have progressed her present-day memory and ability to maintain a conversation have unfortunately worsened. Hungarian is her first language. English finishes a distant second. As a result of her hearing loss and language barrier, she struggles to express herself. A woman whose presence in a room has always been an absence was bursting with life and her pure emotions blazed in front of me. She was thrown into a wagon (railroad car) with her mother and sister. There were no bathrooms, only one bucket. There was no room to breathe, to move, to even think about where they could be going. She could barely see anything in the wagons, and what she did see, she’s never been able to forget. “Some of the people went berserk,” she told me. In the wagons, no one could bear to listen to the screaming anymore. Men used the ties on their necks to wrap around the screaming people’s arms and legs to get them quiet. My grandmother was sixteen. She, her sister Elizabeth, and her mother were sitting on dead bodies, all of them fighting to get closer to the small windows that provided very little fresh air. They lived like this for three days and three nights, until finally the wagons came to a stop. The doors opened and the light from the sun was so blinding that my grandmother could barely see. And what she could see was terrible. She was led toward a huge, daunting gate. It was the entrance to a place many would never walk out of. She saw people in side who looked miserable, each of their shaved heads covered with a green and white cloth. She was put in a row of four other people, creating columns of five across to present themselves to one man. That man was Dr. Josef Mengele — the man who was about to determine the rest of their lives — or end them — based solely on their appearance. Dr. Mengele could not understand why all people did not look the same. He was obsessed with people who did not fit his criteria for looking ‘normal.’ Once he decided what he thought of you, he pointed to the right, or to the left. The left was where many mothers and young children were directed; they would be sent directly to the gas chambers. The people on the right were young adults; they appeared healthy and able to work for him in the camps. My grandmother was afraid to breathe. Dr. Mengele turned around, his back facing the rows of people. His eyes were fixed on someone who was different, someone who he wanted to experiment with. People in the rows with my grandmother began running to the right side, and without a second thought, my grandmother ran with her sister to the right, leaving their mother behind. My grandma’s eyes began to water as she told me this story. The way she spoke and composed herself is something that I may never see again, but this experience is the reason I feel so dedicated to share nu nu her story. Jenna Zucker, 16, attends Montclair High School.

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WHAT SAY

A Jewish twist on ‘College Decision Day’ Justin Fiszer

ike many seniors, May 1st was both a celebration and a sigh of relief for me. May 1st, or college decision day, is the deadline by which high school seniors are to submit their deposit and commit to their future schools; and while a good amount of seniors apply through a binding, early decision application, many utilize the month of April to revisit their schools and make a decision for the impending college decision day. Once the day comes, everyone celebrates by donning their college’s apparel and proudly posting on Facebook, and I was no exception. I’m proud to say that I committed to the Joint Program at Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary. I’ll be earning two B.A.s, one from JTS in Jewish Ethics, and another from Columbia in Human Rights. I will admit, choosing a college was a stressful process, though I learned a lot about myself along the way. Here are a couple of pieces of wisdom that I want to offer about colleges through a Jewish perspective. First off, know that everything in life probably happens for a reason. If you apply to a school and don’t get in, know that HaShem has a plan for you to do great. Nowadays it seems as though where you go to college dictates future success for the rest of your life; this, however, is simply not true. Remember: rejection does not define you as a person. But even if you lose faith in the college process, have faith in HaShem. In tractate Ta’anit, the Talmud tells us: “It is all for the best.” Even when it becomes stressful or disappointing next year, remember that this is one small phase in your life. So continue to work hard; everything will pay off in the end. On the opposite note, also remember that with acceptance comes responsibility. When you start getting into schools, celebrate with your family and friends on this great mazal in your life. Life is

full of joys, and getting into college is an amazing achievement that is well earned and should be celebrated. But I’d also extend the advice to remember humility even during periods of great triumphs in life. When the acceptances start rolling in, it’s easy for us to want to post every single one, and constantly brag to our friends that we are overwhelmed by choice. Try to remember that our sages have always valued humility as one of the most honorable traits a man can have, and it truly does get you far. Celebrate once you commit, and remember to be happy for everyone during this time. Our sages taught humility when they said: “When you turn proud, remember that a flea proceed you in the order of divine creation,” so while it’s important to be proud of yourself, and for others to be proud for you, don’t forget to be proud of others and to remember the Jewish value of humility. Lastly, whichever school you do choose, remember Torah. Check out the local Hillel, and ask about Jewish life on campus. Some of you might

T EA GR R FO GE LLE CO SUME RE

be into studying Jewish studies at college like I am, while others may just want to continue on old Jewish traditions they may have grown up with; but whatever your level of religiosity or faith, remember Torah is the cornerstone for Jewish life no matter the age. College is a time to explore and to learn about ourselves and others, and remembering the ethics and lessons of our Torah can help us grow into successful and ethical young adults with good values and teachings. Rebbe Menachem Schneerson reminds us that “The secret of our existence is in being a people…[that] leads a life according to the one Torah, which is eternal and unchangeable.” So while you explore yourself and the world around you, remember the beauty and tradition that is round in our Torah, and in this, I guarantee you that you will grow into a beautiful young Jewish nu adult, ready to take on the world. Justin Fiszer, 17, attends Randolph High School.

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Applications are due June 19, 2015 PLEASE NOTE: If accepted, students will be asked to pay $2,500 toward the cost of the program, which includes the Israel trip. Scholarships are available. Write On For Israel is a project of The Jewish Week. Participation of Greater MetroWest students is made possible through generous support from the Iris Family and Herb and Milly Iris Youth and Family Philanthropy Endowment, Klinghoffer Family, Cooperman Family Fund for a Jewish Future, Curt C. & Else Silberman Philanthropic Fund, Archie Gottesman and Gary DeBode. This initiative is a collaboration of the Community Relations Committee of Greater MetroWest NJ and The Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life with The Jewish Week’s Write On For Israel/NY.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE

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The

Vitiati n

Ariel Ezra

he Vitiation Council is still in session two days before the Vitiation date. Time is running out for the Council to make a decision as the population waits anxiously to hear the final verdict. The Preparation Committee is also intently waiting for the “okay” to commence preparations. If this Vitiation happens it will be extremely rushed.’ This is an excerpt from The New Union Times,” says Council President Martin. “The people need to know now. Everyone is already nervous, and we cannot afford to start a panic by waiting too long. If we do not make a decision now, the people are going to start to panic, and the Committee will not have enough time to complete the preparations. As President of the Council I propose we have a final vote now, majority wins. The law is that the vote must be unanimous, but these are drastic times, and we must take drastic measures. We will vote, then immediately inform the press.”

“But sir,” a council member starts, “your proposition is simply ludicrous. I cannot allow it. These are drastic times, and that is exactly why we must not be impulsive. What you are saying is that we should rush a decision that will affect the lives of millions. I have not even been able to finish presenting my case. I will not allow the other members to make a decision with incomplete information, and with the pressure of a time limit.” “Union Leader Walker, I understand your concerns, but we do not have enough time. I am sorry but we must do with what we have.” “Push off the deadline. All we need is one more day.” “That is impossible. The machines become active five minutes before

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midnight on Vitiation Day and then shut off immediately at twelve o’ clock. They will not turn on for another hundred years. That’s how they were programmed and it is impossible to change it.” “So what you are telling me is we have 12 hours to decide whether or not my, my family’s, and the entire country’s memories will be erased. All the art, literature, music, discoveries, technology, knowledge will be gone forever. And we have thirty-nine hours! Damn it!” he yells. “Dear citizens of New Union, our country, G-d bless her, has a tradition. We do not know how long this tradition has been in practice. All we know is what is written on this card. I will now recite The New Union Document, or as some call it, ‘The Blueprint’,” says President of the New Union, Georgios Archetype Washington. “’You have woken up in a strange place you do not know. That is because your mind has been wiped of all of your long-term memory. You are currently in the country of New Union. This country has been created to correct humanity. Every one-hundred years a council of twelve will be chosen to decide whether or not to activate the Vitiation machines. The

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Vitiation is when long-term memory is erased from every citizen of the New Union. The machines will turn on in one-hundred years from today, on July 4, at 11:55 P.M. If the council voted to activate the Vitiation, press the big red button. If not, wait for the machines to turn off at 12:00 P.M. on July 5. The rest is for you, the people, to decide. God bless New Union!’ “Now Council President Martin will announce the verdict. God Bless New Union!” The crowd of people standing before the President cheers, claps, and cries. Council President Martin steps onto the podium and begins to speak. “Citizens, the final verdict is…” Bang! Eleven Council members dead. The President is nowhere to be found. It is 11:55. Everyone stands in silence. One person screams a blood-curdling, murderous scream and the crowd erupts. All the officials are gone. Somebody from the crowd tries to talk into the microphone and bring order, but the wires are all cut. Union Leader Walker enters the Vitiation Chamber. The machines are in front of him. He takes out his dynamite and rope. He wraps as fast as he can. He lights his match and runs, but it is too late. It is over. Troops walk in. They try to stop the dynamite from exploding, but it does. It explodes. It is not too late. Walker succeeded, and walks out of the chamber unharmed. He rises to the podium and greets the masses. “This is the end of the New Union and the beginning of a new era. We will destroy no more. That is not how you fix things. You cannot fix a sick person by killing them. You find a cure. We will do the same for our new country. We will not erase the footsteps of our fathers. We will save them. We will also start our own paths, and our children, and our children’s children will continue them. Long live the nu Empire of Salvation!” Ariel Ezra, 14, attends Bruriah High School.

A RELATIVE THEORY Nina Gerszberg

Perfection. It’s a theory that so many of us want, yet none of us have. Still, despite the high demand for it, no one truly understands it. People think they do, but they don’t. Now, I realize this may come across as hypocritical considering I claim to have the correct understanding, but I’ll let you be the judge…

et’s start with the basics. What is perfection? That part is simple, it’s a combination. A flawless combination. When people think of a combination, a variety of things come to mind. Literally. For example, what a majority of people think when they think of combination is a chef. A chef requires the perfect combination of tools, skills and ingredients to make the perfect meal. But perfection stretches far beyond the culinary arts. Reading. Every text you have ever read is simply a beautiful combination of symbols and spaces. Mathematics. Again, symbols and spacing. They make up every algorithm in the world. People. We are simply a combination of flesh, blood and bone. In fact, everything in the entire world is one big combination of elements known as the periodic table of elements. Yet, despite the fact that combination makes up all of matter, there are still some things that people refuse to associate with combinations. An example of this is power. It’s one of the few things that rivals perfection when it comes to desire. Yet, like perfection, so few people actually understand that its source is from perfect combinations. The key to power is the perfect combination of control, leadership, influence, skill and so much more. It is a very difficult combination to achieve which is why so few have it. And even the few who have it, quite often they lose it, for the slightest imbalance in the combination causes corruption. Now that we understand combination, let’s get back to the perfect combination. Perfection.

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It takes the perfect ingredients and the perfect amount of these ingredients to achieve perfection. Sounds simple, right? Not quite. You cannot supply all of the ingredients as some of the ingredients aren’t even finite things. For instance, a picture drawn by a toddler is not all that different than a picture by Picasso or DaVinci. The only differences are the tools used, the colors, and the placement of the colors. So why is it that one of these pictures is worth almost nothing and thrown in a trash can when no one is looking and the other is worth millions and put on display in a museum to be viewed by all? It’s simple — the opinion of the public, the popular opinion. And that’s where things get complex, for as I mentioned earlier, most people can’t recognize perfection. This is why the popular thing isn’t always the right thing. It’s why trashy things are idolized while perfect things are criticized, viewed, and thrown in the garbage. Today’s society has placed so many additional factors on perfection, which is why it is so rare if not impossible to achieve. So I ask you to stop reading this. Look up. Look around. Can you see any perfect combinations? If the answer is “no” then use the knowledge I have just given you, combined with your nu own opinion, and make some. Nina Gerszberg, 14, attends Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy.

RepaiRing the

Jacob Nelson

risis after crisis, devastation after devastation, Israel never fails to provide aid to the people and countries in need. Israel has consistently helped the world for decades. Israel has been a primary source of humanitarian aid for such diverse groups as Ethiopians in 1985, Hurricane Katrina victims in 2005, injured Haitian earthquake survivors in 2010, Fukushima tsunami victims in 2011, and devastated Syrian civil war refugees in 2015. Reaching out to help others in need has come to define Israel, and undoubtedly will in the years to come. After the overwhelming earthquake in Nepal on April 25, Israel yet again was determined to help. The Israeli government sent a 260-person team made up of members from the Israel Defense Force, Israeli rescue teams, Israeli security teams and doctors to Nepal to provide help. Along with these people, the Israeli government shipped about 100 tons of food and 95 tons of medical equipment into Nepal just days after the earthquake. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Israelis. “You are being sent on an important mission. This is the true face of Israel — a country that offers aid over any distance at such moments,” Bibi opined. Aside from the Nepalese citizens, the Israeli government was also concerned about its

own people. After Israeli soldiers complete their army service, many of them travel to Nepal with friends. About 600 Israelis were in Nepal at the time of the earthquake. Israel sought to confirm that each Israeli had survived. Within a week, the whereabouts of each Israeli citizen was verified. Along with the government’s concern, many other Jewish and Israeli organizations joined in providing aid. Organizations such as The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Magen David Adom, IsraAID, and others sent funds, people and supplies to Nepal. MDA, for instance, worked at a military hospital in Nepal to treat many Nepalese with chest, abdominal, leg, and arm injuries. The director of AJJDC told reporters that “(this) is one of the outstanding features of the Jewish community, its ability to come together and respond to crises and to show its dedication to tikun olam (repairing the world)” and that “This is what we specialize in and are known for.” All in all, Israel gave the most man power aid to Nepal, sending about four times as many people into the area than the second most country did. These people provided critical aid, even conducting operations ranging from surgeries to baby deliveries.

With Israel’s extremely limited resources, many question Israel’s almost adamant policy of helping others. They inquire as to why Israel puts so much emphasis on tikkun olam, when Israel has other problems to deal with. In order to understand the reasoning behind Israel’s huge efforts in tikun olam, it is necessary to understand the concept behind this core value in the first place. The origins of tikun olam are found in Jewish prayers and texts. It first appears in the prayer ‘Aleynu’, which, written in the 3rd century, is still said three times daily. Many scholars interpret the prayer as an instruction for humanity to improve the state of the world, which in effect brings honor to God’s sovereignty. The term tikun olam also appears in the Mishnah, the book of Jewish law, and in kabbalah, a book of Jewish mysticism, in an explanation on the mysterious attributes of God. All together, the concept of tikun olam has evolved over time into the process of fixing large societal problems, while maintaining a belief that our actions can have a positive effect on the greater human and divine world. Israel invests so much of its assets in

tikun o l a m not only because of this, but also because it reflects who we are as a people. Tikun olam has been a fundamental value of the Jewish people for thousands of years. Our roots define who we are and how we fit into the world. Even though Israel has problems of its own, it finds it necessary to help others in need. It is this concept that unites Jews and Israelis from all different backgrounds. It doesn’t matter if they are religious or not, right or left, or of any background. They all find connection in their devotion to helping others— to fixing the world. To me, when I think about Israel’s contributions to the world, I am proud, because it reflects who I am and it reflects the traditions of my nu people. Jacob Nelson, 16, attends the Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School.

(This) is one of the outstanding features of the Jewish community, its ability to come together and respond to crises and to show its dedication to tikun olam.’ 10 nu may 2015

LONGING TO BELONG Evie Barr

ave you ever felt like you were part of something, but you never really belonged? Or that maybe you were supposed to be there but you had no real personal connection to it? That’s always how I have felt about my Jewish religion. It’s not that I don’t believe in God or Moses or something. It’s more like I’ve never been given the proper chance to learn about them and make a decision. Where I first lived that wasn’t really a problem because there was a very small Jewish population so people would usually take my word on something even if I had no clue what I was talking about. But when we moved to a new town with a much bigger population of Jews I started to get embarrassed. People would ask me if I

was Jewish. I would answer yes. But did I go to synagogue? No. Did I speak Hebrew? No. Did I even celebrate Passover properly?! No! I never would get a bat mitzva nor had I been to a bar or bat mitzva celebration. Now you might not think that that is a big deal but to me it was. I had no connection to my religion. And neither of my parents was interested in getting me connected. My mom had grown up in a non-religious house so she probably knew less than I did. My dad grew up in a very religious house but hated it and never wanted to go back to living like that. So I was never really given the chance to decide if I wanted to be religious. I had asked — no, begged — my parents countless times to join a synagogue. My mom always said she would do it but never got around to it. All the knowledge

11 nu may 2015

I have of Jewish religion (half of which is wrong anyway) I researched and found for myself. So I never really felt like I belonged to the Jewish community. I almost felt like a fraud. As if I had come in and they had welcomed me with open arms and I deceived them. It felt wrong. I once asked my mom if we had been Christian would we have celebrated Christmas properly? She said yes because it was simpler than the Jewish holidays. When I found that out I became completely outraged. She had decided to take away my sense of belonging because the religion’s celebrations were more complex?! My mom always said that if we were really religious I would have complained about it even more. And you know what? She was probably right. But at least I would have felt nu like I belonged.

WITH UT MISSING A STEP Desi Brower

he sound of the gun starts the race and the disapproving stares as the boy begins his long journey. As people watch and express their doubts he keeps on going. He inspires us, as he doesn’t let anything get him down. He moves along one step at a time reminding us all to fight past the obstacles that try to overcome us. He doesn’t need other people to encourage him; all he uses is his own determined mindset. He continues running with grace, proving that it isn’t speed that leads us to success but precision. As he reaches the half waypoint of the race, he doesn’t slow down but he speeds up. He teaches us that it’s important to finish what we’ve worked so hard for. As he rounds the final curve and the finish line is in sight the mood changes. With everyone now on his side we learn from him that even when things are hard it is important to push through. He crosses the finish line and the crowd erupts. He is the reason we will remember to never give up because the feeling when you finish the race is unforgettable. He inspires us because he nu doesn’t let his prosthetic leg define him. Desi Brower, 15, attends Livingston High School

12 nu may 2015

POETRY BY NAOMI MEININGER

I SEE IT THROUGH THE FOG CALLING MY NAME I TRY TO NOT LISTEN BUT TRYING ISN’T DOING I TAKE A FEW STEPS FORWARD THE AIR AROUND ME GROWING COLDER AND COLDER ALL TRACES OF LIFE FADING I AM A FOOT BEHIND IT THE DARK METALLIC STEEL LINE IT WANTS ME TO CROSS I DON’T WANT TO

Fame Naomi Meininger 12, attends Tenakill Middle School.

13 nu may 2015

Devotion Sydney Luks

Devotion is an incurable urgency that is unconditionally repulsive. It’s the gooey gushy adoration that just seems like a nuisance. I can’t speak first hand because I’ve never felt the “sensational ecstasy” people in love blab on about. But it seems like an inconvenience to worship someone so much for simply being them. Yet…his nauseatingly pure complexion stains a smile on my obnoxiously passionate face. The way the corner of his flawlessly rose colored lips curl up when I amuse him makes me blush in the most vile way. I cherish that kind of disgust. Devotion is an incurable urgency that is unconditionally lovely. Sydney Luks, 15, attends the Holmstead School.

Ariel Ezra

Is your child struggling in school? We can help. Winston Preparatory School education for the individual

FLOWER WILTS, TREE FALLS DOWN, GRASS TURNS YELLOW, PEOPLE LEAVE TOWN. MOUNTAIN IMMORTAL, TIME NEVER STOPS, SUN WILL RISE, MOON SHINES ON. OCEAN WON’T DRY, SKY WILL STAY HIGH, CANYON DEEP, FIREFLY LIGHT. CURTAINS ON WINDOW, EYELASHES HIDE, CANDLE BURNS HOLE, FIRE ON ICE. REFLECTION IN WATER, RAIN ON GLASS, SMELLS OF BEGINNING, LOOKS LIKE THE ENVD. PENCIL ON PAPER, HEART IN HAD, BROOM SWEEPS AWAY, WIND WHISTLES AFRAID. FUTURE FAR, PREENT NEAR, HISTORY LOST, NO ONE TO HEAR. LOST IN A WORLD, PUZZLE UNSOLVED, EVERYTHING’S DIFFERENT, BUT THERE’S NOTHING AT ALL. TEARS ROLL DOWN CHEEK, STOMACH DROPS, LAUGHTER IN MEMORIES, PICTURE ON WALL. WOOL ON SKIN, SNOW ON NOSE, ASHES IN FINGERNAILS, NOWHERE TO GO. PRESS REWIND, FINGERS INTERTWINE, BABY CRIES.

WONDERING, WHY? Ariel Ezra, 14, attends Bruriah High School.

The Winston Preparatory School does not discriminate against applicants and students on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin.

14 nu may 2015

My Tallit Siona Ely

“Remember this moment.”

This is what I told myself during my bat mitzva as I stood on the bima at my synagogue, on December twentieth, surrounded by family and friends and wrapped in my tallit. As I looked out onto the crowd, I savored the moment, because I knew that I wouldn’t ever experience something like this again. Even now, when I look back at my bat mitzva weekend, my favorite part was not the night party with friends or the brunch on Sunday — it was my Saturday morning service. Sometimes, I do wish that I could go back and relive the event over again. Although that is technically not possible, one of the ways I look back and remember is through my tallit. It was there with me throughout the experience, and brings me back every time I put it on. My tallit is special to me for many reasons. First of all, I was lucky enough to have my mother create it for me. As a result, I was there for the whole process, from the dying of the silks to the tying of the tzit tzit. Second of all, it is personalized to me. The tallit inspiration comes from a picture of Cazenovia Lake, which is where I spend part of my summer each year. Also, the letters on the branches of the tallit are in my handwriting, which is very individual and unique in my mind. However, most important is what it symbolizes. Ever since I was little, wearing and owning a tallit seemed to me like a rite of passage, a checkpoint, but not the end of, my Jewish life and identity. I would gaze up at my family members in synagogue and wonder what it would feel like to have that piece of fabric draped across my shoulders. Now that I have one, I do feel special every time I put it on, but I also feel more grounded and “in the moment.” In addition, I feel an added sense of responsibility. Now, I cannot run around outside the sanctuary with my siblings and play. The tallit is a reminder of what a being a bat mitzva means. I don’t feel dread when I head into the service, I feel calm and happy. This tallit connects me to my Jewish heritage, but also will help me forge a new path of my own choosing in nu Judaism. I am so very lucky to own it. Siona Ely, 13, attends Mt. Hebron Middle School.

PHOTOGRAPHY

My junior year

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

Samantha Fern, 16, attends Livingston High School.

15 nu may 2015

Iris Teen Tzedakah Program The

Teens— Make a Difference in

Your Community!

Become a Teen Tzedakah Advisor for The Program

Iris Teen Tzedakah

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. Applications are now being accepted at dilleriris.org.

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.

Apply now! Applications are currently being accepted at dilleriris.org.