Chair		ToSTY/Youth Advisor
Adrienne Friedman		Amanda Rein

Challenge: Look at what we have...not what we’re missing Adina Karten Passover is one of my favorite holidays, but also one of the hardest to get through. During Passover, we tend to think of all the things we cannot have rather than everything we do have. With our wheat-based diet, it’s hard not to… Walking into the cafeteria, I drop my books onto the long table grateful to rid myself of the heavy load. I wait with boredom for the regular announcements to finish and open my paper bag to see what my mom has invented today to add flavor to an otherwise bland piece of matzoh. My Jewish friends also open a brown bag from home, even though they normally buy their lunch. For us, this is the only option besides having a single piece of matzoh decorated with and cheese and meat offered by the generous lunch-ladies, a modest portion at best. Together, we count the days till the end of the holiday when we must no longer pass up the chametz offerings of cookies from our friends. It’s hard to keep the meaning of Passover in perspective when forbidden items tease our senses at every turn. What is that meaning? It’s simple: Moses kept his eye on the freedom to come, not on the past of slavery. Passover challenges us to keep our focus on the positive in life. We have so many possibilities available to us every day. We don’t realize how much we do have until some options are taken away, something to think about with life in general.

Confirmation students learn about  political process during trip to D.C. Confirmation class in office of U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone of NJ Michael Terebush      During the RAC trip, I had the opportunity to meet other Reform Jewish high school students from all over the United States. We all were extremely happy to be in nation’s capital to participate in the political process.      Over the course of the weekend, the students from Temple Rodeph Torah and Temple Shalom worked closely together and got a chance to bond as one cohesive group. I did not know most of the Temple Rodeph Torah students well, but by the end of the weekend, I had developed new friendships.      When the students from each Temple were divided up to go to their respective congressman’s office, we felt like part of our group was missing. It was as if we had become one group instead of two separate groups.      As part of our experience, we learned the views of Reform Judaism as they applied to some of the most important political issues of our time. I was pleased to find that I agreed with most of the Reform Jewish positions on these topics. We attended workshops that were thought provoking and helped us to learn the reasons for the RAC’s positions.      We had to choose one of the topics presented to us to lobby on. I learned that there is a lot of work that goes into lobbying. In order to lobby, we had to read through research on our topic.      We also listened to a legislative assistant’s critique on our speeches. After approval, we typed them. The next day, all of the hard work paid off when we read them aloud to a legislative assistant.      I was really happy that collectively, we put together great speeches that expressed our views as they agreed with the views of the Union for Reform Judaism.      The weekend in Washington, D.C., was an experience that I will never forget. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate in our nation’s political process.

Remembering Chanukah amid the Xmas Lights Adina Karten Driving down the street…      November, December, I read the signs lining the roads. “Christmas trees!” they shout. I walk into Target, passing Santa decorations, stockings, and strings of lights. I walk to the very back of the store, and look for something to give my brothers for Chanukah without Rudolf on it.       It’s amazing how Christmas oriented our environment becomes after Thanksgiving. Even in school, where "no" religion is taught, the extra activities become slightly less secular. After a test the teacher normally gives you a crossword or puzzle to do for the rest of the period. Toward the holidays, the answers generally are centered on pine trees and a jolly old man. I remember a girl once telling me all about the “Chanukian” religion. I gently explained that Jews celebrate Chanukah. Many times, I find myself explaining that Chanukah is the holiday of lights lasting for eight days, not Christmas plus seven.      It is rare to find someone who knows about the Festival of Lights. There are few Jewish kids in my school, and most are far from religious. Once, I made a joke about Chanukah Harry. Even though I explained it to my friend, she still thinks Jewish kids “get” their presents from him, just like Christian kids “get” presents from Santa. In other words, Christian understanding of Chanukah has been adapted to make sense with their Christian views. That’s the mixed blessing of living in a country with such diversity. Something I’ll have to keep in mind next time I’m at Target.

Carpooling to Shul Project Shows that a Little GREEN Goes a Long Way Adina Karten      Many of us take our Earth for granted. At one time, we didn’t realize what our factories and cars were doing to our precious planet, and by the time we figured that out, we were too stuck in our old habits to make a change.      Now, with the scarcity of fossil fuels and the escalating prices for them, I have come to realize, it’s time to make the change. And one person can make a difference. We all can.       For my B’nai Mitzvah project, I want to make a difference and facilitate others to make a difference as well. I decided to help families who live within a close proximity of one another to carpool to HebrewSchoolon Tuesdays and Thursdays.       Believe it or not, if we carpool, we reduce one round trip to the synagogue, which reduces time, money, gas and carbon emissions spent to get there. TempleShalommembers, we’re on a roll. Join with me in J-Pool and tikkun olam, help repair the world.