4 minute read
Temple Beth El Kids Are Taking Action to Improve the World
March 2024
By Judy Coco
Many of us talk, but how many of us do? Several Temple Beth El (TBE) kids are doing. They have taken tikkun olam to heart by taking their passion to make a difference in our community. At Providence Day School, Charlie and Zach Kahn are leading others to influence alternatives to the death penalty in North Carolina. At Charlotte Latin School (CLS), Jessie Adams and Charlie Sidman are educating others on Judaism (@ cls_jcc). And at Providence High School, Lindsay Pfeffer and Ben Gran are tackling antisemitism on social media with their Instagram account (@teensforjewishpride) and acting as ambassadors for our community.
Charlie and Zach initiated and lead a club to create awareness of the death penalty in North Carolina. Since 1910, more than 1,000 people have been sent to North Carolina’s death row (NC Department of Adult Correction). Author Samuel Gross states that a “surprising number of innocent people are sentenced to death” and suggests that an untold number of innocent people have been wrongfully executed. (“Newsweek,” April 28, 2014)
In May 2023, when Queens University hosted the film, “Racist Roots,” Charlie and Zach met with the organizers to learn more. The documentary reveals the North Carolina death penalty’s deep entanglement with slavery, lynching, and racism — and inspires people to join the movement to transform the criminal legal system.“Not only are we advocating to end the death penalty because the death penalty is wrong and costly, but also because it is undeniably rooted in racism,” states Charlie Kahn.
Charlie and Zach plan to motivate others by sharing documentaries, news stories, inviting influential speakers, and leading group discussions and performances. Through letter writing, they hope the club can influence alternatives in the NC penal system.
Co-founders and leaders of the Jewish Culture Club, Jessie Adams and Charlie Sidman aim to educate peers on antisemitism and Jewish culture to promote a more welcoming and appreciative community. At monthly meetings, students are enlightened through cultural experiences. The club hosted a Chanukah party, led discussions on the impact of antisemitism, and at a school assembly, educated classmates on the High Holidays.
By understanding more about other cultures, students may find that they have more commonalities than differences. This awareness can foster a more accepting environment, which is so important with today’s adversity.
In December, CLS students had the opportunity to connect with students at Ramot Yam High School in Israel. The Israeli students shared what life has looked like since Hamas attacked Israel. The CLS students shared their thoughts on the war. When asked what they can do to help, the Israeli students encouraged their counterparts to fact check and understand the context of the information provided in the media.
Jessie encourages others who want to start a club “to be organized in the planning and set a good goal and purpose for the club! Then go from there and start promoting it on social media and to your classmates.”
As a reaction to the hatred and antisemitism they are seeing on social media, Lindsay and Ben started their own Instagram account, Teens for Jewish Pride, to spread awareness and share people’s stories so Jewish kids didn’t feel so alone. With dozens of followers, Teens for Jewish Pride aims to empower teens worldwide to unite against social media antisemitism through education and advocacy. Lindsay says they plan to continue to educate and be a force for Jewish youth everywhere. Lindsay and Ben are also ambassadors in the Student to Student program at Stan Greenspon Holocaust and Social Justice Education Center at Queens University of Charlotte. Through this initiative, they will visit their former elementary school to speak about their lives as Jewish teens to help counter bigotry and stereotypes. The idea is that through student presentations, they will be able to put a “human face” to Judaism.
TBE is so proud of all these kids for shining a light on issues that matter to them!
Have a teen or TBE member you want to kvell about? Contact Madeline White, Communications Coordinator, at mwhite@ templebethel.org.
