"We Are Marching in the Light of G-d"

It's been a while since I last checked in, and quite a bit has changed. I moved halfway across the country to start a new chapter of my life in Seattle.

I've spent the majority of the last three months getting acclimated to this new city that is quite different from the Midwest. And while I will always feel most at home in Chicago, I am currently feeling quite proud to be residing in the state of Washington.

Though I missed the boat on registering to vote in Washington state, I knew how many important issues were on the ballot. One particularly close to my heart. So, when I heard about the Faith Ballot Drop Walk being organized last Sunday, I knew I needed to be a part of it.

People from a dozen different religious backgrounds gathered at the Central Lutheran Church in support of R74 and the freedom to marry. We all huddled together and listened to the inspirational words of members of the clergy and policymakers. You could feel the love in the room... people from very different religions all united for one cause. We grabbed our signs, headed out onto the street and began our march to the King County Administrative Building downtown.

My friend Sarah and I found a spot in line, excited to be a part of something so much bigger than ourselves. We were surrounded by Jews wearing their kippot and magen david necklaces proudly, carrying banners that reminded us about the very commandment that was the impetus for this blog (tzedek, tzedek, tirdof). And surrounding the Jews, there were Lutherans and Catholics, and we all marched as one.

We definitely did not take the most direct route down to the administrative building, but we did take the best one. As we walked through the streets of the Capitol Hill neighborhood, we were greeted by friendly smiles, waves, cars honking their horns and cheers. And we began to chant and sing. We sang several songs, but this is the one that stuck with me the most:

We are marching in the light of G-d,
we are marching in the light of G-d.
We are marching in the light of G-d,
we are marching in the light of G-d.
We are marching,
Oo we are marching in the light of G-d.
We are marching,
Oo we are marching in the light of G-d.

You can imagine how powerful these words felt as we were transforming them into action. In that moment, I felt so proud to be an ally, and so proud to be a Jew. It felt incredible to take a stand and lend my voice to a cause that is so dear to me.

We marched until our voices were raw, our feet were trembling and folks with ballots in their hands had dropped them off.

It was all quite exciting, but the best news came days later, when R74 passed! It was what we all prayed for, and our prayers had been answered! It was a part of history that I am delighted to have been a small part of, and an experience that I'll never forget.

You can read more about our march and see photos by clicking here.

Dayenu?

This Passover has been a bit different than many others that I have experienced. It is the first year that I can recall not having at least one member of my immediate family next to me at the seder table. I feel very blessed that as a Hillel professional, I am able to not only help facilitate experiences for Jewish students on campus, but I am also encouraged to share in them.

I attended the first night seder on campus led by my friend and colleague, Rabbi Andy Kastner. I felt particularly moved by a piece that he asked me to read aloud:

______________________________________________

Being Poor

Being Poor is...
having your heat shut off in the winter because your parents can't pay the bill
Being Poor is...
having two blankets for seven people in the family
Being Poor is...
wishing you could eat in a restaurant
Being Poor is...
wearing shoes that someone else threw out
Being Poor is...
lying when someone asks you what your father does for a living
Being Poor is...
pretending that you don't care that you got no gift for your birthday
Being Poor is...
waiting all day in a clinic to see a doctor you don't know
Being Poor is...
a welfare worker asking your mother too many questions and making her cry
Being Poor is...
not being afraid of the dentist because you've never seen one
Being Poor is...
always feeling a little mad because you never have what you need

Based on Janet Rosenberg, Being Poor is...
___________________________________________

Before the holiday of Passover began, I met up with a student of campus to gather some chametz, or non-Kosher for Passover products, that he collected from his friends. He is helping me plan an annual Day of Service at a local transitional shelter for women and children and figured that the food could be put to good use. I happily accepted the box of dried goods and stuck them in my trunk without a second thought.

Later, as I was driving home from work, I approached a man on the side of the street. He was near a busy intersection, but the light was red. I remembered the box of food in my trunk and put my hazards on and got out to greet him. As I began to lift the entire box, the man kindly asked that I only give him products that didn't require cooking. Immediately, I grabbed a box of cookies and two boxes of crackers. As I was searching the box for more options, the man politely told me that we were blocking traffic and I had better go before the cops came. Struck somewhat speechless, I smiled and began to get back in my car. He said "G-d Bless You" and I told him to Have a Nice Day." As I turned my hazards off and turned onto the next street, I thought about how strange it was that I was just expected to take off on my merry way as if our encounter never occurred.

Poverty, hunger and homelessness often times go hand-in-hand. No matter how much I learn about poverty and commit to help those around me overcome it, I will never be able to fully empathize with the statements I listed above. No matter how much I learn about food insecurity, hunger and homelessness, I will never be able to fully empathize with someone who is hungry and without a warm and safe place to spend the night.

I was left speechless by my interaction with the man on the side of the street because I felt foolish. My desire to give whatever resources I had available overpowered my ability to recognize the situation for what it was. Offering packets of Easy Mac to someone without a microwave, without a kitchen, without a home... how is that going to help them? How are people supposed to accept the kindness of a stranger when they are living in fear of being reprimanded by people with authority?

During these last few days of Passover, I plan to challenge myself to think strategically. We all have our own persecutions to overcome and deserts to wander. I can only hope that next year I am in a space where I am not only feeling personally empowered, but feeling that I have affected change in the world around me. No matter how big (or small) that world may be.

More Than Just a House

This week, I find myself in Birmingham, Alabama. I am staffing an alternative break trip for students from Wash U, GWU, and schools in the metro Detroit area in conjunction with the Jewish Disaster Response Corps (http://www.jdrcorps.org/).

We spent Monday volunteering in the community of Clay that was struck by a devastating tornado on January 23rd. It was startling to see the amount of debris that was blocking the streets and filling the yards of homeowners a full seven weeks after the tornado came through town. Our volunteers contributed a great deal to the recovery effort by spending the entire day clearing the debris and preparing it for organized pick-ups.

We transitioned to the Habitat for Humanity work site in Pratt City that we would be with for the rest of this week on Tuesday morning. Since our arrival, our volunteers have made some incredible progress on the house that we are helping to build. Among other things, we have installed insulation, weatherproofed windows, and applied vinyl siding. Our physical contributions to the house are impressive in their own right, but I didn't understand what they truly meant until earlier this afternoon.

I had the great honor and privilege of speaking with our homeowner, Ms. Taylor. She came by the site of her future home for what many would have considered a routine visit. But in this case, it was actually quite special. We didn't know whether or not we'd have the opportunity to meet Ms. Taylor as her health has suffered since Pratt City was hit by a tornado on April 28th of last year. This has made it difficult for her to spend much time on the work site.

The Habitat for Humanity site supervisor (Mr. Bill) introduced her to our group of volunteers. She took the opportunity to express her heartfelt gratitude for the work that we were doing. Just meeting her and seeing her smile would have been enough to inspire us to keep working for the rest of the week, but I had the chance to continue speaking with her one-on-one.

I feel so blessed and humbled by the experience of hearing her reflections on the past year and her visions for her future home. During our conversation, there were many examples of her strength, courage and perseverance. I will try my best to share a few with you now.

Ms. Taylor grew up just one block away from the site of her future home. After marrying her husband, she moved into a nearby apartment. Pratt City has been her home for her entire life. When the tornado hit last year, she found herself homeless. As she described to me, the devastating natural disaster stripped her of everything that she had. She lost so much more than a roof above her head. Her home had been a haven for her, a place to call her own. Since the tragedy, she hasn't been able to stay on her own. While she is incredibly appreciative of the friends and family that have taken her in while she waits for her permanent home, she acknowledged the fact that she is looking forward to reclaiming her identity as a homeowner. She can't wait to entertain her guests. She spoke of her grandchildren and children that would come to visit her. She smiled as she visioned herself sitting in a rocking chair on her wrap-around porch with a book in her hand.

When I asked what compelled her to rebuild in a community that has been devastated by tornado after tornado, she shared another anecdote with me. She said that G-d came to her in a dream and told her that she was to rebuild her life in Pratt City. She said it with such conviction, certainty and unwavering faith that I was left speechless. She knew that G-d brought the volunteers to help her create more than just a house. She was incredibly moved by the love being poured into created her home by complete strangers.

We were both at a loss for words, so we shared a hug. And then another. And another. The energy flowing between us was electrifying. Our different faith backgrounds, races, ethnicities, etc. became irrelevant. We understood each other on the most basic of human levels.

As she left the work site, I looked back at the house in front of us. I no longer saw the siding that still needed to be applied or the steps that needed to be built. I saw Ms. Taylor sitting in her rocking chair on her wrap-around porch with her favorite book in hand.

Food for the Soul

Over the past three years, I've had the privilege of watching my students do some pretty amazing things. I cherish the opportunities that I have to sit back and watch as they impact the world around them.

One of the groups that I advise is called Challah for Hunger. Every Thursday night, they gather to bake challah bread (in some delicious varieties, I might add). Every Friday, they sell the freshly baked loaves to raise money for the two charities that they support: the American Jewish World Service Sudan Relief and Advocacy Fund and the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry. They also use this unique opportunity to educate their peers about food insecurity and global hunger. To learn more about the work they do, check out their website: https://www.sites.google.com/a/challahforhunger.org/washu/

As we were baking last week, we noticed that we had some extra dough. We were presented with an opportunity to share the challah that brought students on campus so much joy with people in our community who really needed it. I drove over to a local transitional shelter the very next day with nine loaves that smelled like they were fresh out of the oven. I was greeted with smiles and thank yous before heading back to work for one of our largest Shabbat dinners of the year, Interfaith Shabbat.

Over 200 students from different faith backgrounds came together to break bread and learn about our shared traditions. We enjoyed a meal full of all of the Shabbat classics: roasted chicken, potato kugel, green beans, salad, challah and brownies. Once we had our fill, we realized that we were blessed with too much food. So just five hours after my last visit, I hopped in the car with two of my students and headed back to the shelter to share the rest of our meals. The students were pleasantly surprised with how simple it was for them to make a difference.

While it would have felt good just to know that the food was going somewhere that it would be eaten; we felt better about the fact that it was going to a community. So much about baking and cooking and eating is about shared experiences. We can all afford to share the food, the stories, and the joy that nourish our souls through acts of lovingkindness.

Modern-Day Advocacy

Every twenty-something has heard it. Millennials are lazy, privileged and self-absorbed. We are so entrenched in the online world that we are missing the realities of life offline.

If there is anything that I have learned from my work with college students, it's that instead of trying to make excuses for being a product of the developments and trends of our generation, they are simply embracing them. So much so, that they are redefining the way that the rest of the world communicates, connects and ultimately advocates. Gone are the days of drafting up a petition and tabling on campus with the hope of securing 50 signatures from your like-minded friends. Now, within five minutes of feeling fired up about a piece of legislation that is making its way through congress, you can: update your Facebook status, tweet, connect with your fellow bloggers, and begin to organize a rally. There is something to be said for the ability to share your perspective with the world with the push of button. But what comes next?

I know that people are updating every social media platform they can because I see it everyday. I feel blessed that my newsfeed is overflowing with links to articles and videos about causes that my friends are extremely passionate about. It means that I have surrounded myself with the best of what Gen Y has to offer, young people who are recognizing the power of their own voices. But how many people are able to take it a step further and becomes agents of change?

As someone who has identified as a proud ally of the LGBT community for many years, it was easy for me to watch the video of a young Girl Scout calling for a boycott of cookies and immediately seek out ways to buy five times the amount I otherwise would. It was a small gesture, but it left me feeling like I did my part to combat that particular case of intolerance. But like most of my friends on my newsfeed who had originally brought this particular video to my attention, I moved on to the next piece of breaking news within 24 hours. And in that moment, I missed a fantastic opportunity to do something even more powerful than buying ten boxes of Girl Scout cookies. I missed the opportunity to educate myself and educate my friends about the story behind the headline.

I have come to realize that education and advocacy MUST go hand in hand. By facilitating opportunities for one and not the other, we are missing the bigger picture. You need to understand the many layers and differing opinions that people have in regards to a cause you are passionate about before you are ready to lobby your local MOC. Simultaneously, it is extremely challenging to drum up support for a cause that you know very little about.

So, as any good millennial would, I intend to make this blog a space to share resources that will provide my readers with an opportunity to educate themselves on the four issues that mean the most to me. I hope that, in turn, you will share your thoughts, inspiration, and resources with me. With a better understanding of the issues that I hope to address, I plan to make the right kinds of ways. With strength in numbers, there's no telling what we can do.

Let's start here:

• Read about families who are dealing with food insecurity at http://mazon.org/get-involved/hunger-resources/facts/ and learn what MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger is doing about it through the organizations they support throughout the country at http://mazon.org/about/about-our-grantmaking/2011-grant-recipients/. Special shout out to JF&CS of St. Louis and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago/ EZRA Multi-Service Center who bring programs like the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry and JUF Uptown Cafe to life.


• Read about how homelessness affects women and children at http://www.gateway180.org/the-facts and stay on the same site to be inspired by what organizations like Gateway 180 are doing to reverse homelessness for families in 30 days or less. And for those of you in the Chicagoland area, check out http://www.asafehaven.org/index.html.


• Visit the Human Rights Campaign's user-friendly website at http://hrc.org/ to educate yourself on the issues and then immediately take action by joining the Call It Out! Campaign and stopping discrimination in its tracks.


• Tell Teach for America about how much time you have to give and they will tell you exactly how you can impact the future of our country by investing in a child's future at http://www.teachforamerica.org/get-involved/action-center.

Finding Deeper Meaning Through Questions

Like millions of Americans, I set several resolutions when the new year began. And like most of those people, I fell behind on one of my resolutions just a few weeks later. So here it is... my blog entry that should have gone live on Monday, January 16th.

I recently sat down with a colleague to talk about social justice opportunities on campus and in the community. It was just two short days before I visited the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry in St. Louis. She just so happened to share a story with me that really made me think. She was recalling the first time that she brought a group of students to the food pantry years before. As is typical, the group was put to work bagging up canned goods and other essentials for the thousands of clients that rely on the food pantry for sustenance. After a long day of work, one student looked at her and said, "I just really wish we could have seen the smiles on the faces of the people who we were feeding with all of this food."

The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry, like many others, prides itself on maintaining the dignity and confidentiality of its clients. It is easy to assume that this student couldn't understand why having clients pick up the bagged goods from volunteers would compromise their dignity. It is also easy to assume that this student never gave it much thought. I don't want to make those assumptions. I never met the student, so I can't pretend to know what she was or wasn't thinking. What I can do is pose a larger question.

Is it okay to expect something out of a hands-on service opportunity? When asked why they like giving back through days of service, I often hear people say things like, "I did it because it felt good." While it's not my go-to response, I don't disagree. I feel happy when I am helping others. I feed off of people's energies. I respond to smiles and "thank yous" just as much as the next person. But if the point of hands-on service is to give of yourself, are you discounting the work that you've done by recognizing what you've gotten out of the experience?

I joined over 20 young adults from the St. Louis Jewish community as we spent a Sunday morning in the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry's basement. Shortly after arriving, we were surprised to learn that another group had been there just a few days earlier, leaving us with very little to do. I felt conflicted. I was delighted that there was a overwhelming amount of people in the community who were eager to lend a helping hand. And I was pleased that hundreds of families would be fed from those bags that were already made. But I was also frustrated. Here was a group of young adults who chose to spend a couple hours helping out in the community above anything else they could have been doing. The staff member who was with us did his very best to give us each a job, but within an hour or so, there was really nothing left to be done. Just as I began to worry that many of my peers might leave the pantry feeling like it was a waste of their time and that the needs of the community were already being met, the staff member spoke up. He shared that while all the shelves were stocked with bags of goods at that moment, they would be emptied out within a matter of days. He made an ask for people who would be interested in coming back on an as-needed basis to sign up for email alerts. He emphasized that the pantry was meeting an on-going need and that there is always work to be done.

In today's society, even the most service-minded people have to make judgment calls. What seems like a worthwhile cause? How many causes can I give my time, energy and money to? How can I make sure that the impact that I'm making is an enduring one? These judgment calls aren't just tough to make, they're extremely personal. I hope to spend the rest of the year answering these questions for myself while simultaneously being inspired by my friends, family and peers that answer them in a completely different way.

Serving Alongside Family and Friends

Happy 2012, everyone! Coming out of what proved to be a rather extended holiday season, I spent much of the last month eating. I tried new food while traveling cross-country on a road trip and enjoyed long-time favorites when I found myself celebrating the new year with family and friends in the Chicagoland area. I feel blessed that I had so much choice when it came to my eating- what to eat, when to eat, how much to eat- and simultaneously recognize that many people in our community don't have the same luxury.

While I was home, my mom let me know about an opportunity to serve at the JUF Uptown Cafe. JUF is the Jewish United Fund/ Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. According to the JUF website, "The JUF Uptown Cafe is Chicago's first kosher anti-hunger program for the needy. In addition to providing hot meals in a restaurant-style setting, the JUF Uptown Cafe program brings dignity and hope to people in need. The JUF Uptown Cafe feeds Jews and non-Jews alike and is open three days a week for dinner and on Sundays for brunch." And while all of that is accurate, I would argue that the JUF Uptown Cafe is so much more (both to its guests and its volunteers).

From the moment that I entered the cafe, I was completely charmed. The way that the room was set up was warm and inviting. Imagine your favorite diner with place settings around the table- enough for you and your family or friends. There were decorations on the walls, but the emphasis was very clearly on the guests who would fill the seats when the doors opened.

I joined a group of several other volunteers of all ages- some who had volunteered before and some who were newbies (like me!) Among the group of volunteers was my mom (Lanie), my friend (Benjamin), my mom's best friend (Merle) and Merle's husband, son and family friend (Bob, Joey and Ashton). We got a quick pep talk and tutorial about how the cafe ran, put on our aprons and dove right into our work as waitstaff.

Unlike many other food service operations, the JUF Uptown Cafe is run like a restaurant. Guests come in and take a seat at their favorite table and are encouraged to order from a full menu of beverage and food options. While some of you know that I've worked in food service before, I would be lying to say that keeping up with rotating guests wasn't a bit of a challenge! But, fortunately, my co-server (Maddie) and I had incredibly gracious guests who were quite patient with us.

When things slowed down for a moment, I took a step back. I noticed that something really beautiful happens around the brunch table. There were complete strangers sharing a meal as if they had known each other for years. With bellies full of warm food on a cold afternoon in Chicago, people began to smile and share stories. In fact, we had so many bellies to feed that for one of the first times in JUF Uptown Cafe history, they ran out of food before there was an opportunity to call for seconds! I also took a moment to watch my mom and friends in action. Benjamin was chatting about movies with one guest as Merle was juggling a tray full of goodies with a giant smile on her face. But, probably most inspiring of all, was my mom. Though I happen to know that she was in a lot of pain (she suffers from foot, ankle and back problems), she worked right through it. She realized that for those two hours she was a part of something much greater than herself, so she lent a hand wherever she could. Way to go, Mom!

I would strongly encourage anyone who lives in Chicago to contact the folks at the JUF Uptown Cafe about volunteering.