The Inspiration

In August of 2009, I began my professional career with an organization called Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life. It was a surprising decision for someone who knew she wanted to teach in the Chicago Public School system since she was seven years old to make; but I made it with confidence. Growing up, I didn't feel particularly connected to my Judaism (aside from the occasional hankering for a piping hot bowl of matzo ball soup). In fact, it wasn't until college that I took advantage of the opportunity to explore my Judaism through on-campus organizations like Hillel and Chabad.

I heard about an Alternative Spring Break trip to post-Katrina New Orleans that my Hillel was participating in and, with a little help from my mentor and friend, I signed on. It was March of 2007, and we spent a week helping out in the lower ninth ward. We were one of the first groups to touch the homes in the lower ninth because they had been damaged more than many of those in other areas. Instead of spending a week laying drywall or painting, we spent our time knocking down walls and removing waste. It was very difficult work to do, but we were constantly reminded that the framework of the houses needed to come down before any rebuilding could happen. We were fortunate enough to meet the community members whose houses we were working on. Their stories of perseverance were quite inspiring. To this day, when I am asked to define the word tzedek (which is most commonly translated to mean justice or righteousness), I am immediately transported back to the memories of that trip to New Orleans--to what I saw, heard, felt, and experienced.

Over the course of the past two and a half years, I have had many conversations with some of the brightest college students about the importance of giving back to those in need and pursuing social justice. I have been fortunate enough to staff Alternative Break trips to New Orleans, Miami and the Dominican Republic, where I watched students grapple with some of the same issues that I did just a few years earlier. I have been inspired by students on campus who are thinking creatively about how to leave the world a better place.

I have spent countless hours staring at a button that hangs on the bulletin board next to my desk in my office that is covered in Mahatma Gandhi's quote, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." This is the year that I'm going to try.

I want to focus on three different ways of giving: acts of lovingkindness, hands-on service, and advocacy. I want to focus on four different issues that I'm passionate about: gay rights, hunger, homelessness and educational inequity.

I hope that my friends and family join me in my quest to address the call to action in Deuteronomy 16:20-- Tzedek, tzedek, tirdof--justice, justice shall you pursue.