The German Teens Who Sang and Danced Their Nazi Resistance

By Abby Sher for Jewniverse

In a time of rising authoritarianism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, and fear, a group of young people insisting on their freedoms expressed themselves through dance.

Donning checkered shirts, shorts and stockings, and signature edelweiss floral badges, this group of teenagers in Nazi Germany called themselves the Edelweiss Pirates.

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Song Of Life

Lauren Ishay for Fresh Ink for Teens

Childhood came, only to so quickly disappear
Time rolled unremittingly on, with each passing year
But my time of youth, always remembered oh so well
And in the remembering there is a story to tell

My days of being young were mostly happy and carefree
Blissfully ignorant of life, were my friends and me
From chasing butterflies and picking flowers at 3 years old
To a trip to the doctor discovering my first cold

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A March To A Fresh Perspective

Eva Schottenstein for Fresh Ink for Teen

I heard music. I heard people sing prayers overflowing with emotions while marching through some of the most unholy streets imaginable. I heard children sing songs to mourn the deaths of their soldiers — their brothers, fathers and uncles — who all died fighting for their rights to their homeland. I heard crying, and not just sad crying. I heard crying that sounded like it was coming from people who had nothing left inside of them. I heard silence, and that was the first time that I understood what it meant for silence to be loud. I saw, I heard and I witnessed the historic recollection of inhumane acts of hate, discrimination, genocide and dehumanization; the shame of the German nation.

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My Kind Of Jew

by: Gabi Friedman for Fresh Ink for Teens

When I was very little, I would go to a prayer meeting, or minyan, with my dad every morning. I remember munching on rye bread and bagels at the small breakfast afterwards while my dad talked with the others in attendance. My mom says that the sweets they fed me for breakfast at the shul ruined any hopes she had of convincing me to eat a regular, healthy breakfast. I remember, too, when I first began to realize that not everybody was Jewish. My mom absolutely forbade telling the other girls in my kindergarten class that I knew Santa wasn’t real. I can’t remember if I listened or not.

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Identity In, ‘Spirituality’ Out For Jewish Teens

by Hannah Dreyfus for JeducationWorld

What do the Jewish members of Generation Z — the one right behind the millennials — want?

Not conventional “spiritual” practices, including synagogue attendance, it turns out. What they do want, according to a major report released last week by the New York-based Jewish Education Project, is to be better human beings.

The study, based on the views of 139 teens between the ages of 12 ½ and 17 and from four cities — Atlanta, Boston, Denver and Los Angeles — found that while Jewish teenagers take deep pride in their tribal Jewish identity, they are largely checking out of traditional kinds of Jewish engagement.

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Jewish teenagers want to engage. Just ask them.

From The Blog, jewishva.org

Welcoming teens into Jewish life is both one of the most important and seemingly challenging endeavors of the Jewish community. The rapid decline in teen engagement in Jewish life post-b’nai mitzvah is well-documented and depressing. It’s also an entirely reversible trend, but only if the Jewish community approaches teen engagement in a new way — one that recognizes the whole teen and values her or him as an equal partner in creating experiences that add meaning to her or his life.

In general, Jewish teens (like non-Jewish peers) today are deeply thoughtful, inquisitive and ambitious. Also like their peers, they can be narcissistic and attached to technology. Most of today’s teens are vastly different than a generation ago, and in many ways different than a decade ago. These changes are due in large part to the changing world in which we live, the central role of technology and the nearly endless opportunities for personal customization a click away.

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Incantation - A Novel for Teens by Alice Hoffman

Review by Linda R. Silver for Jewish Book Council

The burning of Jewish books in the town square is the first portent that life for sixteen-year-old Estrella is going to change. Set in Spain during the Middle Ages, the story is about secrets and self-knowledge. Estrella’s family are Conversos, who practice Judaism in secret at home and in a church where all of the congregation plus the priest are like themselves. As the persecution of Jews draws ever closer to Estrella’s own family, she is told about their secret, given a ring to buy herself safe passage to Amsterdam if need be, and taught the rudiments of kabbalah by her learned grandfather. This unlikely act is undoubtedly a gesture toward the current popularity of  kabbalah and it does little to mar the credibility of the plot, consisting only of a few “kabbalistic” customs like wearing a red thread and learning the names of the ten gates of Paradise.

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For more on Jewish books for children, check out our    page.

J-TAG Fellows

J-TAG Fellows is a month long summer program (2 weeks in Israel and 2 weeks in the US) offering unique outdoor adventures, travel, community service and leadership development for Jewish teens entering 10th to 12th grades from Israel and the US.

"I have experienced all sides of Israel, from the beautiful, natural attractions, to the political unrest that comes
with the possession of such sacred land.  I ahve a greater appreciation for Jewish culture and history, and
I am more proud to be a Jew than ever before...It was truly a life changing experience."
          J-TAG Fellows, 2015

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Staging History

by: Charlie Goldsmith for Fresh Ink for Teens

A high school production of ‘Letters to Sala’ made the Holocaust feel relevant to all audience members.

Presenting the Holocaust on stage in a way that high school students can relate to is challenging. Many Jewish teens have strong emotional ties to this history while non-Jewish teens may view this time period as the distant past. Last month, I attended a local high school’s production of “Letters to Sala,” a play written by Arlene Hutton. The show demonstrated how high school theatrical productions can provoke emotion and introspection among diverse audience members. The play was performed at Mount Notre Dame High School in Reading, Ohio, and the cast was comprised of students from a Catholic girls’ school and other Cincinnati-area high schools. The actors conveyed a difficult topic and moved the entire audience.  For schools or groups looking for an alternative to the classically powerful, “Diary of Anne Frank,” “Letters to Sala” is an outstanding option.

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My Special Sister

by Noa Rubin for Fresh Ink for Teens   

I’m in awe of the intelligent and reflective young woman my little sister, who is autistic, has become.

“First you, Ron. Harry! Wait for Hermione!” my sister Naomi barked in a British accent while we waited in line for a waterslide. The other kids tried to go in front of us and she said, “No, sorry, but my wizard friends need to go first.” I apologized to the strangers and waited my turn. Later at the pool, a girl from the waterslide pointed to Naomi and whispered to her mother, “That’s the one who was talking to herself!”

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Telling the Teen Story: A guide to share with teens at Pesach

ReformJudaism.org
The Passover Seder is the ultimate educational experience. It is an interactive method of story-telling, a learning (and re-learning) of our people's ancient memory, and navigating through text and time and tradition to make that story our own.

Teenagers are an integral part of the Passover experience, bridging the children and the adults who can bring a unique perspective to any Seder. While they may be too old to be participating for the first time with fresh eyes, they are still questioning, struggling, and wrestling with the themes that we experience during Passover as they contemplate their own journey towards adulthood. Just as the Jews were redeemed from slavery and led into freedom, so too do we have an obligation to guide our teens towards their ultimate understanding of the journey towards adulthood. Teens have an obligation to make the Passover story their own, so they too can tell it for generations to come. We urge you to begin to see your teens as leaders capable of great understanding and even greater potential to embrace their Judaism and find new and innovative ways to make it relevant for us and for everyone at your Passover Seder.

Download this resource to engage in a dialogue with your teen, or as a starting point for them to lead a seder table discussion.

For more Passover news, check out our    page.

Passover is just about here, check out our Passover Holiday Spotlight Kit

How Not to Plan a Bar Mitzvah in 13 Easy Steps

By Stephanie D. Lewis for Kveller

By the time our fifth child was nearing the age for his bar mitzvah–Judaism’s traditional rite of passage–we decided to search for a more meaningful and less materialistic experience than our other four children had. You know, the synagogue ceremony (which many showed up late for or skipped altogether) followed by the huge dining/dancing affair (which put my large Jewish wedding to shame) in a social hall.

If this alternate idea sounds intriguing and you’re also looking to accomplish a similar goal, just follow these 13 simple steps.

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Passover is coming soon, check out our Passover Holiday Spotlight Kit

Israeli Intelligence

by: Bailey Frohlich for Fresh Ink for Teens

Facts for you to counteract myths about Israel.

I recently walked with my grandmother and sister down a main street in Bal Harbour, Fla. on the way to eat dinner at a local restaurant. Out of nowhere, a woman on a bicycle rode by us and screamed, “How could you support apartheid against Palestinians? It’s like the Holocaust over there!” To be honest, I didn’t process her words at first. Our modest attire of mid-length skirts and T-shirts did not automatically indicate we were Jewish or believers in Zionism, so why would she randomly shout the word “Holocaust” at us?

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Laughter With Lots Of Marshmallows

Fresh Ink for Teens: Shira Wald is a senior at Maimonides School in Brookline, Mass.
Throughout my three years volunteering at the Gateways' Sunday Program, I have learned from my students as much as my students have learned from me. Gateways is an organization that helps students with special needs learn about Judaism and become active participants in their Jewish communities. Each year I have had the opportunity to work with a new student and gained new insights and experiences from each one.

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Family Of Woman Injured In ATV Accident Raising Funds For Hospital

Jen Granek for WJZ

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (WJZ) — It’s been nearly six months since an Owings Mills woman suffered a traumatic brain injury celebrating her 40th birthday in Costa Rica. It’s a story WJZ has been following.

Now Ron Matz reports on her progress, and how her friends and family have turned this tragedy into a way to help her and others.

Last October, Jennifer Granek suffered a severe head injury in an ATV accident in Costa Rica.

“She is making baby steps, but those steps are in the right direction,” said her husband Brian Granek. “She’s making very small improvements daily.”

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What Happens When Adolescent Girls Really Talk?

Naomi Katz for Kveller

“Hey sexy…want to come home with me?”

It was 7 a.m. I was on the way to work. I felt sick as I entered the subway station, like a stranger had just undressed me with his eyes. His words were actually harmless, but the way he looked at me made me feel dirty.

I was 23 and teaching at a middle school in New York City. The girls in the school—who were probably closer to my age than many of the other teachers—often crowded around my desk, probably because I seemed—and looked—more like an older sister than a teacher. They talked to me very openly about things that were going on in their lives, including being catcalled on the street. It was one thing for me, an adult woman, to have to deal with such behavior. My reaction was clear—I didn’t like it. For my students, girls emerging into their sexuality, it was much more complex. There was definitely a part of them that didn’t like being catcalled, but there was another part that felt complimented, appreciative of the sexual attention from older men, even if it felt creepy.

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When Hate Hits Home: This High School Student Says She Was Targeted For Being Jewish

By Erin Taylor Neuman for Rise News

Hana Epstein, a high school student living in Katonah, NY recently received something in her mailbox that wasn’t mail- but instead a painful reminder that hate is still alive in the world.

In the early morning hours of January 25, Hana’s father went out to get the mail out of the family’s mailbox. He realized their mezuzahs had fallen off near the front door.

Hana’s dad continued to the mailbox where he discovered a white object that he thought was some kind of food lid.

After further inspection, he suddenly realized what it really was; a white square covered in swastikas. The name “Hannah” is also written across the square, with the last h underlined twice with a blue pen. The connection suddenly became evident.

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4 Things I Wish I Knew Before My Bat Mitzvah

Caryn Berardi for Kveller

Every year on the anniversary of my bat mitzvah, I do some quick math in my head to figure out how many years it has been since that momentous day. This year when December 7 rolled around, after my math screamed 25 years, it struck me just how far away from that time of life I really am. A quarter-of-a-century, to be exact. I’m still in denial that I am able to have a 25-year-anniversary of anything other than my birth.

But on December 7, 1990, I stood on the bimah before family and friends (many of whom I am proud to say are still my friends today) and accepted my obligation to adhere to the commandments of Judaism. And then I had a party and opened a bunch of checks for $18. It was a great weekend, though I have no doubt its significance was not fully felt until years later.

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Great Jewish Books Summer Program for Teens

The Great Jewish Books Summer Program brings together rising high school juniors and seniors to read, discuss, argue about, and fall in love with powerful and enduring works of modern Jewish literature. Participants study with professors, meet contemporary authors, and connect with other teens from across the country.

Apply now! Every admitted participant receives a scholarship for the full cost of tuition, room, board, books, and special events.

People React To Being Called Beautful

Though not specifically Jewish, this is a wonderful exploration of beauty in our society. Follow the link to watch this amazing video.

People React To Being Called Beautful
"I conducted a social experiment at my high school. I asked students and teachers to allow me to take their picture for a project. Some of them I knew. Most of them I did not. As I recorded them, I told them the purpose of my project." And Shea, we find this remarkably beautiful :)❤Video courtesy of Shea Glover
Posted by Love What Matters on Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Heart in the East

by Ivy Bernstein, AMHSI alumna

Before coming to Israel, I would have identified myself as a Jewish American rather than an American Jew. I used to feel more connected to my nationality because I didn’t really understand how much my ancestors fought to remain Jewish and allow for me to be Jewish today. The Jews were constantly fighting Hellenism, both its culture and its reign. In Kislev during the year 165, the Jews reclaimed The Temple after fighting for it for many years. They won despite the odds and the candles of the menorah symbolize this miraculous military victory. The candles represent the Jewish people and the oil represents the Jewish energy that somehow managed to persist.

Despite the odds, the Jews have remained a nation and have continued to have that Jewish energy. I think it’s truly incredible that despite persecution, the Jews have somehow managed to remain unified and continue. The light still shines and I am part of that light.

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Israel Semester Offers Chance of a Lifetime

By Carlie Ladinsky, Impact Fellow; As published in the Atlanta Jewish Times

Carlie Ladinsky, a junior at Walton High School in East Cobb, is leaving soon to spend the spring semester at the Alexander Muss High School in Israel on a fellowship granted through Jewish National Fund’s Southeast Region.

I can finally say that I am going to Israel. As an Impact fellow, I will attend the AMHSI spring semester with high school students from North America and across the globe in just a few days.

We will study our core curriculum and an intensive review of Israel and 4,000 years of Jewish history. During the next four months I will have an opportunity to experience Gadna, a weeklong basic training course for Israeli youth; embark on a four-day hiking adventure from the Mediterranean Sea to the Sea of Galilee; and travel to Poland to learn about the Holocaust’s destructive impact.

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A Common Thread

by Hannah Shippas for Fresh Ink for Teens

Sewing binds me to my great-grandmother and my family’s heritage.

Sewing is a big part of my life. Like my Jewish heritage, it’s who I am and what makes me, me. I’m a senior in high school and ever since I was in elementary school, I have been fascinated by crafts like sewing. Sewing has been passed down on my mother’s side, the same way as Judaism. Not only has the hobby been passed down, but so has a machine: my great-grandmother’s sewing machine. My great-grandma used the machine to make clothes when she came to America before the Holocaust. It doesn’t run on electricity, but instead has a foot pedal to manually move the needle up and down. Since the machine has meant so much to our family, we haven’t sold it. In a way, the machine connects me to my family’s past and to my Jewish heritage. I consider the machine to be a part of our identity, justifying my love for sewing.

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Does Security Trump Civil Liberties?

by: Bailey Frohlich for Fresh Ink for Teens

Teens respond to Donald Trump’s call to deny Muslims entry into the United States.

We are blessed to live in the United States in the 21st century. Our Founding Fathers fought a Revolutionary War to secure our life, liberty and pursuit of happiness — inalienable rights afforded to us by our Bill of Rights.

One of these rights is freedom of religion, a freedom which has shaped America from its inception when the pilgrims fled religious persecution and arrived 400 years ago.

When Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump made seemingly anti-Muslim comments in early December he naturally caused immense controversy. In a statement posted December 7, 2015 on his campaign website, Trump called for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States… until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses.”

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Song Of Life

by Lauren Ishay for Fresh Ink for Teens

Memories from childhood formed the teenager I am today.

Childhood came, only to so quickly disappear
Time rolled unremittingly on, with each passing year
But my time of youth, always remembered oh so well
And in the remembering there is a story to tell

My days of being young were mostly happy and carefree
Blissfully ignorant of life, were my friends and me
From chasing butterflies and picking flowers at 3 years old
To a trip to the doctor discovering my first cold

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Jewish Handiwork

by: Noa Rubin for Fresh Ink for Teens

The hands of many people shaped the person I am today.

Using a silver cup I pour water on my hands, once on my right, then on my left, three times. I watch the water rush down my hands and into the sink. Al netilat yadayim (on the washing of hands) — I reflect on my gratitude for the commandment to wash my hands as preparation for holy actions. I am ready.

My Jewish identity consists of many disjointed facets. Seeking commonality in my memories, I found one recurring image: hands. The people who appear in my memories used their hands to sanctify mine. The memory of my dad’s hands on the car’s steering wheel, fighting traffic to get me to school, brought dedication to me as a learner. The memory of my grandparents hosting Shabbat dinners for my cousins and me almost every week. Their hands set the table and cooked beautiful meals — a meaningful, intergenerational practice — and therefore, tradition matters to me.

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