RAC Trip, Friday

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Sunday
Monday

After a relaxing and uneventful drive down to the nation’s capital, we checked in to the Sheraton Pentagon City in time to relax a little before Shabbat.

Studying Social Action Texts at the RAC’s L’Taken Social Action Seminar. Kiley Q. in blue.

Then some 250 Jewish teenagers from a dozen states — representing California to New York, Florida to Rhode Island — gathered to welcome Shabbat with song. We moved quickly into a communal dinner, which ended with time to meet new friends from around the country.

Friday evening services followed, led by two guitar-playing rabbis.

Then the participants delved into the complex interaction of hunger and social programs in America. In the context of Maimonides’ famous ranking of different kinds of aid, the students debated the merits of Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, and more, all under the umbrella of “The Dark Night: Poverty and Homelessness in America.”

The evening included a chance to experience what it might be like to rely on social programs for food.

Dessert topped off the evening.

All in all, it was a fantastic start to a weekend of exploring tikkun olam, social justice, and the power of lobbying governmental leaders.

Friday Evening Services at the RAC’s L’Taken Social Action Seminar

Studying Social Action Texts at the RAC’s L’Taken Social Action Seminar. Standing, left to right, Rachel M., Brianna E., and Noah C.

7 Comments

by Joel H. on January 12, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Education Director, School, Social Action, Torah Study

Tagged L'Taken, Medicaid, Medicare, RAC, religious school, SNAP, social action, Social Security, Tikkun Olam, Unemployment Insurance, Vassar Temple

Posted by Joel H. on January 12, 2013

https://vassartemple.wordpress.com/2013/01/12/rac-trip-friday/

Kurt
/ January 12, 2013

Thanks for the great update Joel.

ibritter
/ January 13, 2013

Serious fun. Thanks Joel.

Bob Abrams
/ January 13, 2013

Excellent start! thanks for the update Joel … Bob

Wendy S. Marcus
/ January 13, 2013

Thanks for this informative post, Joel! All I’ve heard from Rachel is that she arrived safely and that she purchased an Obama sweatshirt!

Lisa-Sue Quackenbush
/ January 13, 2013

Thanks for the detailed update.. I texted kiley last night and asked her if she was having fun and how she was feeling. My txt back was ” yes and fine”. Never at a loss for words, I assumed my daughter was tired. And now I know why:). Thanks for keeping them safe and productive!

Laura Brundage
/ January 13, 2013

Thank you Joel! Danielle is having a great time- she let me know that she has made new friends and was moved by the Holocaust Museum.

Deb Carbo
/ January 13, 2013

Dr. Hoffman, Thanks for leading them through such a rewarding experience. They’ll come back with a new perspective, new friends and some skills to make a difference in the world. Clearly having a good time… debbie carbo