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HomeMaking an Impact and Having a Blast!

Making an Impact and Having a Blast!

August 15, 2016
| By JCUA Admin
Categories: About JCUA, Civic Engagement, Community Events, Community Issues, Human Rights, JCUA Events, JCUA Project and Campaign Endorsements, Jewish Community, Jewish Education, Or Tzedek / Teen Program

img_0811-e1470941074124By Hannah Arwe
JCUA Teen Programming Coordinator

Hello from Teen Programming! I just finished leading my first Or Tzedek Summer Social Justice Institute and it was an absolute blast! I felt like both a leader and a learner, developing young folks’ capacity for change while also continuing to learn for myself the crucial components of organizing, agitation, and justice.

I really enjoyed getting to work with people and organizations all over the city to create meaningful experiences for our teens. Not only was it a reminder of the incredible work being done in the city of Chicago, but also it was amazing to see how, across the board, organizers and educators came out to support JCUA youth and their desire to act. Interspersed with foundation-laying workshops on root-cause analysis, systems of privilege and oppression, and community organizing, we participated in several actions around Chicago, in order to learn about and support the work already being done. Two of the teens’ favorite activities were registering voters with Chicago Votes and distributing lunches to those in need with Forward Humanity. These actions gave Or Tzedek participants the opportunity to immerse themselves in Chicago’s culture, build their communication skills, and critically analyze the structures of power that govern society. We were also able to volunteer with Growing Home, Inc., Chicago’s only USDA certified organic urban farm in the city limits. While harvesting potatoes, we learned about the important work Growing Home is doing to provide healthy, affordable food and jobs to the South Side communities of Chicago.

One of the biggest issues we touched upon in this summer’s program was systemic racism. Through workshops on privilege and identity, conversations about gun violence, criminal justice reform, and immigration, an anti-racist walking tour of Hyde Park, and a visit to the Broadview Detention Center Vigil, the teens were eager to engage each other and our partners in conversation about historic racial divides, harmful political policies, and key points of contention in Jewish allyship. To end our time together, we were lucky enough to participate in a commemorative march, festival, and Shabbaton to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Chicago Freedom Movement’s legacy. It was a meaningful way to show the juxtaposition of seeing the world as it is, and imagining the world as it should be.

As I sit back and reflect on the summer, I cannot stop returning to the reason that I got involved in social justice work with young people in the first place: youth are enthusiastic, resilient, and inspirational. They capture the restless energy of social justice work, and are eager to do what needs doing. Every night, without my help, they engaged in intense and difficult conversations about race, class, gender, and politics. Every day they asked as many tough questions as they could think of. During discussions and workshops I found myself pulling back again and again because the teens could carry their learning just fine without me. It was a humbling experience. As I wrap up Or Tzedek by writing thank you notes to our partners, I am realizing the need to thank my teens most of all, for their willingness to be vulnerable, their comfort with discomfort, and their dedication to seeking justice.

Or Tzedek leads Havdalah to close out the commemorative MLK Shabbaton
Or Tzedek leads Havdalah to close out the commemorative MLK Shabbaton
Leora collecting the potatoes we picked at Growing Home, Chicago’s only USDA certified organic urban farm
Leora collecting the potatoes we picked at Growing Home, Chicago’s only USDA certified organic urban farm
Jahmal Cole of My Block My Hood My City talks to teens about engaging in all of the communities in Chicago
Jahmal Cole of My Block My Hood My City talks to teens about engaging in all of the communities in Chicago
Dina, Sarah, Roz, and staff member Lili Gecker set the table for our first Shabbat
Dina, Sarah, Roz, and staff member Lili Gecker set the table for our first Shabbat
Leora, Sarah, and Abby creating their root cause tree during our systemic oppression workshop with Jessica Havens
Leora, Sarah, and Abby creating their root cause tree during our systemic oppression workshop with Jessica Havens
Dina, Parker and Abby at Garfield Park Conservatory
Dina, Parker and Abby at Garfield Park Conservatory
Learning about the Trauma Center Campaign from Michal David & Danny Kaplan
Learning about the Trauma Center Campaign from Michal David & Danny Kaplan
Working on issues of power through Theatre of the Oppressed curriculum lead by Raven Stubbs
Working on issues of power through Theatre of the Oppressed curriculum lead by Raven Stubbs
Dina and Sarah do some voter reg role play
Dina and Sarah do some voter reg role play
Kayla registering some voters!
Kayla registering some voters!
Dina & Sydney getting into challah making
Dina & Sydney getting into challah making
Leora and Gabe make lunches with Forward Humanity
Leora and Gabe make lunches with Forward Humanity
Teens Programs Coordinator Hannah Arwe gets ready to make some lunches for those in need
Teens Programs Coordinator Hannah Arwe gets ready to make some lunches for those in need
Jahmal Cole of My Block My Hood My City talks to teens about engaging in all of the communities in Chicago
Jahmal Cole of My Block My Hood My City talks to teens about engaging in all of the communities in Chicago
Sarah and Sydney explore the Garfield Park Conservatory!
Sarah and Sydney explore the Garfield Park Conservatory!
Teens enjoy a Chicago Movie in the Park and picnic!
Teens enjoy a Chicago Movie in the Park and picnic!
Talking about immigration justice with Kalman Resnick
Talking about immigration justice with Kalman Resnick
Blowing up balloons for Or Tzedek’s 10th birthday party!
Blowing up balloons for Or Tzedek’s 10th birthday party!
Happy 10th Birthday Or Tzedek!
Happy 10th Birthday Or Tzedek!
Teens goof around and relax at the Br. David Darst Center, our home-stay during Or Tzedek
Teens goof around and relax at the Br. David Darst Center, our home-stay during Or Tzedek
Havdallah.
Havdallah.
Leora registering voters on the very first day of Or Tzedek!
Leora registering voters on the very first day of Or Tzedek!
Teens & Marshawn in our best yoga poses
Teens & Marshawn in our best yoga poses
We visited ACT Yoga in North Austin and worked on mindfulness with Marshawn Feltus
We visited ACT Yoga in North Austin and worked on mindfulness with Marshawn Feltus
On our anti-racist walking tour of Hyde Park with Crossroads Chicago
On our anti-racist walking tour of Hyde Park with Crossroads Chicago
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