As the end of the school year approaches it is time to recognize and thank our wonderful teachers. Jewish tradition values the importance of recognizing the teachers who have dedicated their time to guiding, influencing, and educating the Jewish soul in each of our children.

We are asking every family to please donate an amount to our Teacher Appreciation fund that you feel is appropriate and within your budget by May 3.  The money will go towards a gift and treats for each of our teachers. Thank you in advance for your support.

Sincerely,

The Religious School and Youth Advisory Council

Make a donation for Teacher Appreciation here.

4/15/13

Today I walked through the front door, eagerly asking my mom if it we were going on a run. She replied by pointing at the TV. The news was on and the screen read: ‘Two explosions at Boston Marathon Finish’. “2 dead over 86 wounded.” Nearly 6 hours later, that number is above 130. I am shocked by the harm one human is capable of causing. But doesn’t that mean one person can change the world for the better? But a bigger question: Can terrorism really be fought?

The recent events in Boston are disheartening, discouraging, dissuading, and frankly, disgusting. Am I ever going to have the courage to run another marathon?

We as humans are obligated to mourn the losses of innocent by standers, runners, or security guards. We are obligated to respect their suffering and pity their physical and emotional injuries. Someone has targeted marathon runners. But not only them, well us, but American and human kind.

I proudly wear those 3 labels.

I am a marathon runner, an American, and a person. I do not want these labels morphing into targets.

It could have been LA 1 year ago.

Thinking one year ago I finished a marathon and visited Boston directly after, is really scary. I know terrorism is wrong, like most warm-hearted people. However, putting it down ultimately results in more violence. Because, to be blunt, they believe in terrorism as strongly as we don’t.

I want to take a stand. I want someone to read this and help me in aiding the world. Ultimately, no one is safe. Nowhere is safe. No time is safe. But living in fear is just as dangerous as living in direct vicinity as physical danger. Therefore, every human must work hand-in-hand with each other, an improbable feat.

Tomorrow, I plan on wearing my marathon shirt, as a sign of support. I see that it may appear disrespectful, too soon, or as if I am rubbing my past safety in the faces of those put in danger today. But that is millions of marathons worth of miles away from my intent. I feel as if marathon runner can unit in solidarity, show support for people we’d have instant camaraderie with, and make a difference in the world. I vow to support these victims of terror. To wear my labels with pride and dignity and never let them turn into bulls eyes.

When we first heard the sad news that a teenager in the Northridge community died from huffing we became aware that many parents are not familiar with what huffing is. Huffing is a term used to describe inhalant abuse. It is disturbing to learn just how common huffing is among young teenagers and how easy it is for kids to obtain and abuse common household products such as:

• Hair spray
• Room deodorizer
• Cooking spray
• Correction fluid
• Glue
• Rubber cement
• Paint thinner
• Cigarette lighters
• Felt Tip Markers
• Computer cleaner
• Nail polish remover
• Air conditioning coolant
• Whipped cream canisters

According to the Mayo Clinic some warning signs for inhalant abuse are:

• Hidden rags, clothes or empty containers of products that could be abused
• Chemical odors on breath or clothing
• Paint or other stains on face, hands or clothing
• Slurred or incoherent speech
• Lack of coordination
• Confusion
• Irritability

Here are some more resources for parents:

http://www.inhalant.org - Inhalant Abuse Prevention website provides extensive information on inhalant abuse and prevention, including signs and symptoms and a guide book for parents.

http://www.chicagonow.com/tween-us/2013/03/huffing-among-tweens-not-rare-but-can-be-deadly/  – Article about inhalant abuse in tweens and young teenagers, contains many links and additional resources.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/inhalant-abuse/HQ00923 - The Mayo Clinic lists the signs and symptoms of how to recognize inhalant abuse and risk factors.

http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/inhalants - Facts about inhalant abuse by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The most startling statistic is the number of young teens who have tried inhalants.

Click here to see the Refuse Abuse page.

Over the past two semesters, TAS High has offered an elective called “Love Shouldn’t Hurt.” The curriculum used for this class was written for Shalom Bayit, a domestic violence shelter in San Francisco. I learned about it from Jackie Snow, who was trained as a volunteer facilitator for the 2 hour workshop for middle school students that Shalom Bayit presents in the Bay Area. Although the workshop is grounded in Judaica and uses Jewish text and examples, this workshop is presented to students at both secular and faith-based schools.

The curriculum begins with lessons about healthy relationships , and then goes on to describe unhealthy relationships and abusive relationships. For example, students learn that what might appear to be a partner who really, really cares what s/he is doing may actually turn out to be someone who wants to exert control over them. In addition to learning how to detect unhealthy relationships, students also learn about tools and techniques to end relationships, and to keep healthy relationships alive.

In order to present this workshop as a nine-week elective, I added experiential elements and I wrote extra exercises and lessons for the topic. All in all, it was an enriching experience for the students and for me as well.

For the second trimester, all but one student signed up again, and I was at a loss. I asked the students what they wanted to do. As a group, we decided to do a social action project.

We discussed working with children in Domestic Violence shelters directly. We discussed fundraising for shelters or agencies. In the end, the students decided that it was most important for them to spread the word to their friends that being abused in a dating relationship (whether emotionally, physically or sexually) is not okay.

As a class, we shared emails and sent youtube videos to one another during the nine weeks of the class. During class, we sometimes watched videos together or checked out agencies. We figured out how to start a Facebook page. We chose a name… Refuse Abuse … which was not (believe it or not) already a page on FB. We created a logo that we thought would express our message.

We are sharing equal roles on the Page although I will oversee it. The class is over, but the lesson is not.

Hopefully, the students learned a lot about relationships, as well as how to critique what they find on the web. However, I learned as much or more than they did. One thing I learned is that 9th and 10th graders need to feel powerful and capable every bit as much as preschoolers do. They needed to own this work, and they do.  Although some of the girls did not know each other at the beginning of the class, they worked together to come to consensus about all of the elements of this project.

It remains to be seen whether the page will be helpful. But I am betting that for these girls, this has been a thought-provoking and resilience-building experience.

Lila Snow, M.A.

Students Preparing for Lobby Day on Capital Hill

UPDATED 11P.M. FEB 9

Today was another very full day, beginning with a simulation in which the students both explored the complicated topic of energy resources and learned in the process about a gamut of forces that influence the political process including: op eds, personal letter writing, social media, demonstrations, personal phone calls and of course, money.

After lunch we then left to visit the National Holocaust Memorial — an always powerful, difficult but incredibly moving visit. Our visit to this Memorial was followed by a visit to the newest memorial on the National Mall: a visit to the M.L. King, Jr. memorial. This is a very impressive monument which so beautifully presents Dr. King, both the power of his presence and the eloquence of his words in moving this nation towards racial equality. Of course, we, as Reform Jews have right to be especially proud as we played a significant role in this fight, not only joining in the protests, but also providing the space (in the Religious Action Center offices) for the writing of the ground breaking civil rights legislation.

AT THE M.L. KING JR. MEMORIAL

Then it was time for a little fun as we headed to Georgetown for dinner at Chadwick’s, a little shopping for souvenirs and the purchasing of some yummy snacks and Dean and Deluca’s.

Next one of the most memorable parts of the trip: Havdalah at the Jefferson Memorial. The chilly night air was warmed considerably by the spirit of “our kids” singing and celebrating at this most wonderful monument. Thomas Jefferson, of course, played an essential role in the establishment of a social structure allowing for the freedom of religion from which we benefit to this very day. That the American Jewish community stands outside the arc of Jewish history (filled with all sorts of horrific expressions of anti-semitism) is in no small part due to the writing and efforts of Jefferson who made sure that this would be a country where differences would be recognized, accepted and celebrated. In fact, Dr. King’s memorial, who built on these ideas stands across the lake – gazing at the Jefferson memorial.

Finally it was back to the hotel where the evening ended with the kids participating in learning about their personally selected social justice topics which include: Campaign Finance Reform, Climate Change and Energy, Disability Rights, Poverty, Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Gun Violence Prevention, LGBT Rights, International Human Rights, The Israeli/Palestinian Conflict, Nuclear Disarmament, The War on Terror, Reproductive Rights and The Separation of Church and State.

As I write this, the students are having a little bit of “chill” time, hanging in each other’s rooms before heading off to bed.

Tomorrow another busy day learning about Israel and Israeli Politics and another self selected topic. After lunch it is off to visit the National Mall before dinner in Pentagon City and back to write lobbying speeches for Monday’s visit to Capital Hill.

So wishing everyone a “Shavua Tov” … watch this space for another up date tomorrow night. Laila Tov.

UPDATED MIDNIGHT FEB 9

Good Shabbes everyone … a long day is finally coming to an end as everyone is settling down to sleep. It was a great evening as our group of 22 joined with another 320 students from Massachusettes, New York, Colorado, Arizona, New Jersey (to name but a few) for an energetic Shabbat dinner and erev Shabbat service.

Following the service the first program of the weekend commenced looking at the very difficult issue of homelessness in America. We heard from a woman who grew up homeless … attending two or three schools yearly, making her way through poverty to earn and M.A. … only to eventually find herself homeless again. The kids then took a look at various Federal support and assistance programs and evaluated them based on Maimonides ladder of Tzedakah. Finally they took part in a simulation where they each had to try and live on only a few hundred dollars a month in order to feed their family. All provided an eye opening look at poverty and homelessness in America.

The evening ended with the kids picking topics they wished to explore in more detail over the next two days.

Tomorrow: Shabbat services, a simulation that will teach about the issues surrounding energy exploration and the role that money and influence plays in the political process. Following lunch it is off to visit the National Holocaust memorial and the M.L. King Jr. Memorial … followed by dinner in Georgetown and Havdalah at the Jefferson memorial … before returning to the hotel for one the first of two programs of the kids choosing. Another packed day tomorrow.

Hope everyone has a great Shabbat. Keep an eye out here for continuing updates …

UPDATED FEB 8, 6P EST

  Friday 2/8/2013

Today started out at 3:30a.m. PST … as we woke everyone up for an early continental breakfast and Metro adventure to the White House.  We were greeted by a cold, drizzly morning as we had our first Metro experience buying tickets for the subway ride into town.

A short walk from the Metro stop we prepared to enter the White House, handing over all purses, cameras etc. to TAS Alum and National Geographic journalist Daniel Stone. We were also welcomed by White House intern and University of Michigan junior, Brandon Shaw. Entering the White House grounds we were greeted by the Presidential Dog … very happy to be out for a morning walk. As we toured the ground level of the WH, secret service agents in each room explained what we were looking at. All the while we were serenaded by a local school choir singing in the main lobby.

Then, after a quick souvenir stop it was off for a Capital tour courtesy of Senator Feinstein’s office.

From here it was off to the National Archives to view the Magna Carta, Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and thee Bill of Rights.

Tired from a full day we climbed back on the Metro and headed “home”. A full night still awaits ahead as the program starts with Kabbalat Shabbat, dinner, Shabbat Services and the first program on homelessness. We will be joined by almost 350 other students from across the country as we begin preparations for our lobby visits Monday morning. Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom.

Keep an eye out here for more updates.

Thursday, Feb 7, 2013

Hi all …. Just a brief hello from the Hyatt Crystal City (that sounds so elegant doesn’t it?). Actually this hotel is a definite upgrade from the usual LeTaken fare. We’ve all arrived safe and sound for the LeTaken Social Justice Seminar of The Religious Action Center. Hopefully the kids are all taking my advise and trying to adjust to this time as we have a very long day tomorrow. Wake up @ 6:30 to get breakfast at 7 … On the shuttle to the Metro to get to the WH by 9:15. Then scampering to the Capital for a 10:50 tour …. After that who knows. We will send pictures and updates along the way.

Watch this blog site for more on our weekend adventures pursuing the causes of Social Justice.

Have a good evening everyone.

Rabbi Lutz