Growing as a Jew and as a person at Summer JAM

Originally published at: http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/articles/2007/09/10/features/profile/cjew0907.txt

I spent an amazing four weeks in Washington, D.C., on Summer JAM, a program offered by Panim, the Institute for Jewish Leadership and Values.

JAM stands for Judaism, Activism, and Mitzvah work, which were only a fraction of what I got out of the program.

Living on The George Washington University campus, I experienced life at a college Hillel, met other Jewish teens from around the country, and learned about politics and issues facing our society.

More importantly, I learned more about life and about myself. For the past eight years I have belonged to Beth Israel-The West Temple (Reform). When I lived in Chicago, I belonged to a Conservative temple. Both educated me on my Jewish identity and heritage through Hebrew and Judaic studies classes; both offered me a loving environment where I could feel comfortable with my Jewish identity.

I graduated from Westlake High School in June and was one of only three Jewish students out of 1,500 and the only Jew in my class. At Summer JAM there were Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Jews among both the students and staff. It was fascinating to learn about Judaism from different perspectives.

My roommate was Orthodox and attended a private Jewish day school in New York. Many of the other kids also went to Jewish day schools. I envied the opportunities they received at such schools.

Yet, I realized afterward that I was just as Jewish as they. I participate in numerous service projects both in high school and with my temple youth group and these mitzvot are commanded to us by God.

I attended an Orthodox service, although I felt as if I had “Reform Jew” tattooed on my forehead as I almost knocked over the mechitzah (divider between men and woman).

My roommate attended a Reform service with me, and afterward we discussed the variations and compared our different practices. By the end of the program, I had learned a lot more about Judaism, and my Hebrew had improved. I even led the Reform service one day, the first service I had led since my bat mitzvah.

One of my favorite programs was the interfaith panel. We had members of the Muslim and Evangelical Christian communities and a Lutheran priest speak about their respective religions. They also learned more about Judaism.

I was especially moved by the man from the Muslim community who told us that the Muslim religion values life and that Muslims are very peaceful.

Meeting this man renewed my faith that eventually there can be peace in the Middle East if people are willing to work together and stop focusing on their differences.

In other activities, I helped clean up the Anacostia River and volunteered at Bright Beginnings, a free day-care center for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old whose families live in transitional housing or shelters. Two other classes entailed volunteering with inner-city remedial kids at the Washington Middle School for Girls and volunteering at a refugee center.

At Bright Beginnings, I worked with toddlers who were happy to have someone to play with. I realized how important it was to the kids to have a place like Bright Beginnings.

We learned more about the issue of homelessness when we did “Street Torah,” going to a park where the homeless congregate. Besides giving them food, toiletries, and clothing, we talked to them, listened to their stories, and acknowledged them. Many were college graduates holding down more than one job. They were homeless because they simply couldn’t afford a place to live. What amazed me was that despite their struggles, they were still smiling. They said they just wanted people to acknowledge them and not make them feel invisible.

We visited our senators’ offices to discuss issues that included global warming, homelessness, lack of affordable housing or affordable health care, and Darfur. Our Ohio group was fortunate enough to have breakfast with Sen. Sherrod Brown. I was amazed that his interns were only a year older than I, and many of his advisers were in their 20s. It made me realize that I can get involved and make my voice heard.

Summer JAM showed me the many problems facing our society and how important it is to get involved and stand up for what you believe in. It made me appreciate my Judaism so much more, and it gave me connections and new friends. Above all, it has made me a better person.

-Rachel Pankiw
JAMer '07