Imagine a world where Jews celebrated together, despite their affiliation, perspectives, or background. Where sharing in the love of Torah and Jewish pride was like a radiant mosaic, intricately woven with diverse pieces coming together to form a beautiful and harmonious whole. All welcome, all accepted, all part of one people.
For most of us, this ideal will only live on as a dream because of the unfortunate divide that occurs in the Jewish world. Breaking barriers and overcoming our differences within our own people has been an issue for as long as we’ve been Am Yisrael.
However, a last year, the Jewish teen community made this dream come true with the first event of its kind: a multi-affiliation Simchat Torah celebration.
Hebrew High offers Jewish education to teens from across the valley – students of all Jewish backgrounds, affiliated or not. But our small group is only a sliver of the greater community. So Tess Terry, Regional Director of BBYO, Sarah Bochenek who serves as Or Tzion Youth Director and for Temple Beth Shalom of the EV with ties to USY, Andrea Cohen of B’nai Tzedek and I put our heads together and decided that Simchat Torah was the perfect opportunity to bring everyone together to celebrate as ONE Jewish (teen) community – CommuniTeen!
We were awarded a small grant from the Center for Jewish Philanthropy and brought teens togther to help plan the event. With a DJ, some fun Torah-inspired activities, decorations and of course food – it was the first celebration of its kind. Being the first social event after the pandemic, many had never been to a dance before (missing 2 years of B’nai mitzvah celebrations). We brought out the Torah and showed them what to do! The feature of the night was the Torah Slam Jam, giving teens a chance to get on the mic and speak about what the best values are to live by and why. It was a great night, and the feedback was immediate: Jewish teens need each other, regardless of their affiliations, backgrounds or lifestyle. We are one community.
So next Sunday, 10/8 is the second annual Simchat Torah CommuniTeen celebration – and now it’s bigger and more inclusive than ever before. Our main sponsors of the event areOr Tzion Youth, JTeen, B’nai Tzedek, along with Hebrew High, BBYO, USY (Temple Beth Shalom EV and Beth El Phoenix), and RTC (Kol Ami, Temple Chai, CBI, and Solel). All Jewish teens are welcome to attend!!
You are SO invited to my Simchat Torah CommuniTeen Bash will be an 80’s theme, with plenty of fun activities, with a DJ, food and SWAG (RSVP required). Please bring something for the Just 3 things Donation Drive!
We are thrilled to see this next generation overcome their differences to push forth a truly inclusive Jewish community that welcomes everyone. Am Yisrael Chai!
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