Temple youths study values, social justice

Temple Shalom confirmation students at the L'Taken Social Justice Seminar in Washington, D.C. ABERDEEN — Eleven confirmation students from Temple Shalom will be joining over 300 temple youth from across the country to attend the L'Taken Social Justice Seminar in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 5.

L'Taken, an intensive four days of study that focuses on Jewish values and social justice, is a program organized by the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC), the lobbying arm of the Union for Reform Judaism.

Every year more than 100 congregations from across the country bring their high school students to participate in this event that enables students to hear from experts both inside and outside the Jewish community.

L'Taken emphasizes the responsibility of a Reform Jew and American citizen to make a difference in the world.

"It shows how everyone can participate in government and help influence elected officials' choices," explains Josh Enoch, of Middletown, an 11th-grader who attended L'Taken last year.

Rabbi Laurence Malinger, who will chaperone the trip along with Education Director Elisa Juros, said that the concept of citizens affecting change in the world is new to most confirmands. "This trip helps kids grow as Jews and as congregants in general," he said.

On the trip, students will participate in Torah (Jewish learning), Avodah (prayer) and Gemilut Chasadim (action). Avodah begins with creative services on Friday night at the hotel. Shabbat observance ends with Havdalah at one of the memorials in the capital. On Sunday, the youths tour Washington. The Gemilut Chasadim portion of the trip involves going to Capitol Hill and lobbying representatives' offices on the issues studied during the trip.

At every L'Taken seminar, RAC representatives discuss at least 10 different issue areas in a variety of interactive formats. These issues, ranging from global HIV/AIDS to women's rights, from Israel to environmental and economic justice, are selected based on the current legislative agenda.

The students learn about the URJ's positions on the issues. Some of these positions may be different than the opinion of the students and that is discussed also.

"I'm very interested in seeing how government works and how we can be a part of that government," said 10th-grader Asher Wasserman, of Aberdeen, who will be attending this year.

Once the discussion is complete, the participants choose four issues to lobby on, one of which is always in support for Israel.

The students split up into groups to prepare speeches on one of the four issues. The presentations must be based on the Reform position but each student writes a speech using the background of Jewish tradition, Jewish values, Jewish texts and Jewish teaching. These speeches are then presented to the legislative staffs of the New Jersey Congressional delegation.

"I am most looking forward to the day that we get to lobby," said Michael Terebush, of Old Bridge, who will also be attending this year. "I've been to Washington, D.C., before but have never been on the 'inside' at Capitol Hill. I think it will be an experience I will never forget."

Celebrating its 45th anniversary, Temple Shalom, a member of the Union for Reform Judaism, is a Reform congregation located at 5 Ayrmont Lane in Aberdeen and serving communities in Monmouth and Middlesex counties, including Aberdeen, Colts Neck, Holmdel, Matawan, Marlboro, Middletown, Old Bridge and Sayreville.