OUR TIME AT L’TAKEN

1. OUR TIME AT L’TAKEN Participants: Josh Barbara, Aaron Cohen, Jake Fishman, and Shayna Lebowitz Chaperones: Mandy Renert and Samantha Schwartz

2. Friday • Flight from Bradley to Reagan and check in to the hotel • Shabbat dinner • Introduction to the Religious Action Center, L’Taken, and the weekend • Speaker: hunger and homelessness • Hunger and homelessness simulation program • Congregation time and debrief

3. Saturday • Breakfast • Shabbat Services • Inspirational D’Var Torah from Rabbi Jonah Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center • Kesef, Koach, and Politika: Lobbying simulation • Gun legislation debate: teens divided into two teams: JAG (Jews Against Guns) and JRA (Jewish Rifle Association) • Trip to the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum • Dinner and free time in Georgetown • Havdalah at the Jefferson Memorial • First elective program • Some programs: reproductive rights, disability rights, gun violence prevention • Congregation time and debrief

4. Sunday • Breakfast • Storytelling for action program • Connecticut debrief • Second elective program • Advocacy prep: how to be an effective advocate • Trip to National American History Museum • Dinner and free time at Pentagon Row • Issue briefings • Advocacy prep: speech writing • Speech presentations to Legislative Assistants

5. Monday • Breakfast • Capitol Hill • Meeting and presentation to Senator Murphy’s office • Meeting and presentation to Senator Blumenthal’s office • Tour of Capitol Hill with George, a staffer from Representative Larson’s office • Capitol Hill tunnels, House Viewing Gallery, lunch • Meeting and presentation to Representative Larson’s office • Wrap up • Flight from Reagan back to Bradley

6. Josh My favorite part about the trip was: Seeing historical sites that have shaped our country through the years and also meeting other Jewish teens my age and seeing that we have similar interests. The biggest part was having my voice be heard by Senator Murphy’s office and George. If I could do the trip again, I would: probably spend more time at the Holocaust museum because I thought that I was prepared but it ended up being a lot to take in at once and it was really powerful place to be in. Something that surprised me during the trip was: That there were Jews in places like Iowa because you would never think that Jews would live there. Why Kol Haverim should send teens on L’Taken again next year: It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life and I’ll never forget it.

7. Aaron My favorite part about the trip was: The most profound part of the trip for me was having the opportunity to voice my personal opinion and feeling like my actions had power. It was super cool being a part of that community even just for a weekend, being surrounded by hundreds of other members of the reform movement who shared my views and were eager to be there. If I could do the trip again, I would: Take the opportunity to delve into other topics. I focused on gun violence legislation but next year I’d love to advocate for Climate change legislation or LGBTQ+ rights. Something that surprised me during the trip was: How easy it was to make friends. I’ve stayed in contact with a handful of friends from Long Island that hopefully I’ll get to see again soon. Why Kol Haverim should send teens on L’Taken again next year: To introduce students our age to another side of Judaism. I was very surprised to learn about the URJ’s long-rooted history in civil rights movements and was excited to be a part of such a politically active religion and community. It was such unique experience.

8. Jake My favorite part about the trip was: Being able to meet hundreds of new people, exploring historic sites around DC, the holocaust memorial, lobbying to our representatives If I could do the trip again, I would: Spend as much time as possible with all the new friends that I made Something that surprised me during the trip was: Everyone was super nice, and I didn’t feel uncomfortable just going up to strangers and saying hi. Why Kol Haverim should send teens on L’Taken again next year: It was an amazing experience that allowed me to connect with my judaism more than I ever have, and meet tons of new, amazing people.

9. Shayna My favorite part about the trip was: I truly can’t choose one! Some favorites include exploring the House Gallery, the Holocaust Museum, Havdallah at the Jefferson Memorial, and (of course) lobbying at Capitol Hill! If I could do the trip again, I would: I literally would not have done anything different except for keeping a closer eye on my wallet. I had the most perfect trip and I wouldn’t have changed a single thing about it! Something that surprised me during the trip was: When I was lobbying, I felt like I was being listened to. I lobbied for a fairly new bill, and when I introduced it to representative Larson’s staffer, it turned out he hadn’t heard of it yet! It would have been easy for him to write me off, but he legitimately considered it and told me the representative would likely support the act. I felt like I really made a difference. Why Kol Haverim should send teens on L’Taken again next year: I learned so much about myself, reform Judaism, government, and the world around me. This program is amazing and not only would I love to go again, but this is an opportunity that should be seized by as many teens as possible!

10. Mandy My favorite part about the trip was:learning that these issues are so much bigger than us individually and seeing all of these teenagers care so much and rise to the occasion or wanting to fight for theirs and society’s rights. If I could do the trip again, I would:ensure that the students knew more about the Holocaust. I’ve chaperoned to the Holocaust Museum every year with my students but I’ve always been the one to teach them the background. It’s hard to know that our Jewish teens haven’t gotten that knowledge before visiting this museum or in general. Something that surprised me during the trip was:how confident our students were in their speeches to the representatives. They are more capable to think deeply about these topics and deliver them passionately than they are given credit for as teens. Why Kol Haverim should send teens on L’Taken again next year:because this experience was so educational. The teens learned so much about themselves and how they think about real life situations and problems that our country is facing.

11. Samantha My favorite part about the trip was: watching all of the teens find their passion and get so excited about the work they were doing! They were so enthusiastic and invested. If I could do the trip again, I would: be more prepared for the Holocaust Memorial Museum. I had been before, but never as a chaperone, so I didn’t realize how strongly the teens would respond to it. Something that surprised me during the trip was: how much we got to do and see on Capitol Hill! I know we got lucky, but going into the House Viewing Gallery was an amazing, once in a lifetime experience. Why Kol Haverim should send teens on L’Taken again next year: I saw our teens mature so much just in the few days we were there. I think it’s so important that all of our teens have the opportunity to learn and lobby in D.C.!