July 4th in DC!

What a wonderful week!

Fireworks last night at the mall topped off an inspiring July 4th. The pinnacle of the day was ‘Street Torah’ a program where students encounter homeless individuals and talk to them about their lives. We started by studying Jewish texts in the Bet Midrash about Jewish attitudes to poverty and tzedakah and discussed the importance of giving words of comfort to
those in need in addition to providing physical sustenance. This is an archetypal PANIM program – we learn to truly meet the other face to face (panim el panim) – and listen to their stories, seeing their humanity and dignity.

Students said: “I learned that homeless people are just like us, that they are intelligent and that I can learn from them.”

“Now I know that I will notice the homeless people in the street and won’t be able to ignore them.”

“Talking to these homeless people made me feel more human myself.”

We have had an exciting week- a spirited Shabbat full of song and community time, a beautiful havdalah at the monuments on Saturday night, a wild Sunday field trip inner tubing on the Shenandoah, and the continuation of our meaningful service projects and classes. We had the
honor of hearing from Ruth Messinger, President of American Jewish World Service, on Monday night, who charged us all with the mission to get involved with politics and take action to correct the injustices in the world. Today, we embark for Capitol Hill to meet with experts on the issues we have been studying in class and directly act to fulfill this charge.

Chazak ve’Ematz – may we go forth with strength and courage as we approach our second Shabbat together as a community.

-Debbie
Director of Summer JAM