Jewish Council on Urban Affairs: Email - News from Or Tzedek / Register for Summer Program

Or Tzedek is a Program of the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs
E-News – March 2010

Financial aid available.
30-40 community service hrs.

I am writing to tell you about a life-transforming social justice program for Jewish high school teens called Or Tzedek, a program of the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs. Teens from across North America come together in Chicago for eight inspiring and fun days in the summer, and work on issues ranging from combating poverty to environmental justice.

Or Tzedek provides a proven entry point for Jewish teens to a deeper commitment for social justice, to Jewish values and to the Jewish community.

If you are looking for a meaningful summer experience for your teenager, or know of a Jewish teen interested in social justice, check-out the Or Tzedek Web site (www.ortzedek.org).

Tom Samuels
Director of Teen Programs, JCUA
312-663-0960 ext. 112 / TomS@jcua.org

Or Tzedek Teens in the News

Or Tzedek Teen Wins the Chicago Jewish Teen Leadership Award

Kol Hakavod to Benjamin on winning a Chicago Jewish Teen Leadership Award from the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. Benjamin will be an "ambassador" to the community throughout his senior year. Ben is the second Or Tzedek Teen Leader to win this award: Sam won it in 2008!

One Nation, One Chicago

Benjamin also joined Imagine Englewood If teen leader Anjelica on stage at the Interfaith Youth Core’s “One Chicago, One Nation” program launch in January at the Chicago Cultural Center. They talked about working together with other teens on raising awareness about lead contamination in Chicago’s Englewood community.

Or Tzedek teen leader Rachel delivered a keynote address at the JCUA’s Annual Dinner at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Rachel wrote and performed her poem/rap/song, and had the audience on their feet asking for more.

Or Tzedek Alum Takes on Hunger

Or Tzedek alum Arielle is leading the Greater Midwest Region of BBYO's StandUP! campaign to fight hunger. Teens will work with the Ark throughout the school year advocating for food justice in Chicago area neighborhoods. Kol HaKavod, Arielle!

Or Tzedek teen leaders Rachel and Leah conducted a workshop at LIMMUD Chicago on Jewish teens and social justice. The conference drew more than 350 people from all over the Chicagoland area. Congratulations to Rachel and Leah!

Upcoming Or Tzedek Events

When: Sunday March 14 at 3:00 pm
Where: Or Tzedek Teen Leader Leah’s house (Contact Tom at toms@jcua.org for the address and directions)

Join Or Tzedek teens to sign postcards calling for Comprehensive Immigration Reform on behalf of the Jewish community. We will meet, sign the postcards, and strategize on how to get 300 postcards signed and mailed in to members of Congress. Pizza will be served, of course!

When: Sunday, March 22 at 2:30 pm
Where: Cambodian Association of Illinois, 2831 W. Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625

Join teens from the Cambodian Association of Illinois for a movie and pizza afternoon to learn about how their community is affected by our nation’s immigration policies. This is a great chance to meet and connect with other teens that also care about social justice.

Upcoming JCUA Events

What: A one-woman show about Muslim women in a post-9/11 world
When: Sunday, March 7 at 7 pm
Where: Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, 303 Dodge, Evanston, IL

The Jewish-Muslim Community Building Initiative presents "Unveiled" by Rohina Malik. Nina Metz of the Chicago Tribune writes: “A terrific show... intellectually engrossing work of theater.” A discussion with the performer and the audience will follow.

When: Thursday March 11 at 6 pm
Where: Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation, 6601 South Kedzie Ave., Chicago, IL 60629

Jewish Council on Urban Affairs and Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation invite you to a unique, inspiring and fun-filled Passover Seder. There will be tons of live music, dancing and awesome food. There will also be poems and prayers focusing on equality, freedom and human dignity.

Join Jews from across the nation on a teleconference to hear the latest about what is happening in Washington D.C. and across the nation to ensure the passage of Comprehensive Immigration Reform. We will hear from leading members of Congress about the need for and the path to a new immigration system. We will also hear from local and national Jewish leaders about how they are mobilizing their members to win reform.

Immigration Reform Rally in Washington, DC

When: Saturday March 20 – Monday March 22
Where: Washington, DC

As many as 250,000 people of faith from across the United States are expected to gather for an Interfaith Rally on the West Lawn of the Capitol, calling for Immigration Reform. Learn more at the JCUA Web site.