Friday, January 8, 2010

Thursday Pictures
















New Friends

Meeting everyone over the past few days has been a really amazing experience. Sunday afternoon, when we arrived, we didn’t know anyone…by Sunday night, we were all friends.

Arielle Starkman

Week in Review

Through the past few days it has been a pleasure sharing such a wonderful experience and working in solidarity. It has been great to look around and see every body get along well with one another and tolerate one another. A memorable experience was when Wayne Firestone, the president of Hillel talked about how to give back, and if we do not do it now, when then. Altogether, this experience has aloud me to self-reflect over the course of the trip from all the group service that was performed and momentous feeling which came to heart. I believe, now, I can go home knowing what I can do for my community. In recent events, I went to In-and-Out Burger and tasted the best burger have ever consumed, and I was able to share that experience with great new friends I met over the trip. I has been such a great experience altogether and I thank everybody for making this peregrination unforgettable.
Evan Oppenheim

Thank you Wayne Firestone

Over the past few days we have had many speakers and although they were all meaningful in their own ways, Wayne Firestone inspired me. He didn’t inspire me because he is father of three daughters (just like my father) or because he is the president of Hillel. Although it is admirable that he is such a successful man, what is more admirable is the lesson he portrayed through his words. Furthermore, he inspired me to realize that it is a mitzvah to give back, but in order to give back successfully we must understand ourselves as not only Jewish people, but as individuals. In short, he underscored an important lesson being that personal reflection is essential to not only help others, but ourselves as well. In the long run, if we establish values that reflect not only Jewish tradition but our personal beliefs as well, the world will one day become a better place. Thanks, Mr. Firestone.

– Amanda Dryer

My Hillel Journey

It is Friday already and I cant believe where the week has gone. A week filled with emotions, new friendships, life altering experiences and of course, a test of our physical endurance. Throughout these past few days I have come to fully understand how blessed and how fortunate I truly am. Things that I have always taken for granted, opportunities I never thought twice about, are now more apparent than ever before. Being able to lend a helping hand for those who need me the most, have helped to change me in a way that I have never expected. To others lookingt in, I may be just another set of hands, but to me, to my Hillel group, I was a part of something, something big, something great; something that will change a child's life forever.

Liatt Sachi

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Transformation

Yesterday we finished up our work at the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Monica. When we first walked in there on Monday it was clear that the appearance of the place could be improved. We worked for three days painting the walls inside, drawing and painting murals, building cubbies and benches and painting the basketball court. It was so awesome to watch the transformation of the place unfold before our eyes throughout the time we were there. As we stood on the basketball court before our final departure form the Boys and Girls Club, I looked around and took in the beautiful atmosphere we created for these children. The murals we worked hard drawing and painting lit up the basketball court with their bright colors and inspirational words. The benches with the plants gave the area more life. These observations of our final product made it clear that all our hard work was beneficial to the Club and children that attend it everyday.

Jamie Melnick

Wednesday Recap

“Oooh, we’re halfway there!” Literally.
As we’re sitting on the bus this morning on our way to the YMCA with Bon Jovi blaring through the speakers, we are taking the time to reflect on the presentation Janice Kaminir-Reznick gave us last night. She is a representative of Jewish World Watch, an organization designed to educate, advocate, and provide relief for genocides occurring around the world. She taught us a lot about the conflict minerals and the horrible situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We were shocked to hear the extensive crimes, particularly the brutal gang raping of Congonese females as young as five years old. It was especially moving and touching to hear one woman’s personal story about how she was raped by five different men in front of her children and then had to escape from her burning home.
The presentation was last night after three days of strenuous service and volunteer work. It’s remarkable that after three days’ hard work, we saw the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Monica transformed. Yet later that night, we heard about problems and situations that desperately need our attention. It just goes to show you that no matter how much time and effort you put in at one place, there is still so much more to be done. Ms. Kaminir-Reznick provided us pamphlets and fliers with information about where to go next and what we can do. Anyone can contribute their time to help make the world a better place.

Jennie Brill and Lili Sajecki

Hillel Helps in LA

Yesterday was a great day here in the beautiful LA! We worked extremely hard making planter benches, painting the basketball court and repainting the skate park. In the afternoon we were able to interact with some of the kids from the Boys and Girls Club. There was a huge game of basketball going on outside, and even City Year volunteers were helping with the girls basketball team that was practicing in the gym.
After the Boys and Girls club we went straight to Hillel for an amazing speaker, that I think touched every single person that listened. I think everyone is going to go out and try and raise money and make a difference because of her. She deffinitly made an impact on our group.
The Kent State group was not ready to go to bed after all the festivites that were planned for today. We decided to take a trip to Hollywood and see the Stars, Kodak Theater, and the Chineese Theater. It was a site to see.
We are all having such a great time and can't wait for another great day!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Wednesday Service Pictures














Good Memories

Alyson and Alison are writing this blog write now, and before this trip we had never known each others existence. Now we're really good friends and we're one of the hundreds of friendships that have been made on this alternative winter break trip:). People came to help the community from all over the world and it's amazing to see all the cooperation and connectedness from people all over the country.
After painting the murals yesterday, we were so happy to know that these would be hung up around the whole building and they'd be there forever. Some of the words on the murals were traits that we, and the Jewish community find important. For example- friendship, togetherness, respect, and responsibility. We have made a lasting impression on the kids!! WE LOVE IT HERE HAVING THE TIME OF OUR LIFE

Day 3 in LA!

So far this trip has been even better than I had expected. The speakers have really made me think about everyday problems in society that people do not think they have control over. The work that we have done at the Boys & Girls club of Santa Monica has not only brought us together as a peer group, but has also helped us see that we can personally make a difference, and influence the world around us. Although at the end of the day we are exhausted, we know that it was all very worth it. Personally, I know that I feel great going to sleep knowing that I am part of a larger group, bettering the world. The best feeling is knowing that once we do these great things for people in need, they might just pay it forward.

In addition to the work we have been doing during the day, we have been able to explore the city of LA. Last night we went to the Santa Monica pier and enjoyed that scenery. We walked around, made new friends, heard great music and got to taste a new part of LA. Everyday this great city has something new to offer, and I cannot wait to see what it has in store for us today!

Hillel Helps in LA

I've been in Los Angeles now for 3 days of service and it's the most amazing experience! We are working at the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Monica and helping City Year, a non-profit organization, re-build the club. As a college student you don't often see the extreme poverty many people in the USA live in and being able to help young students and be a mentor is beyond fufilling. This trip is a great balance of community service and social interaction. Yesterday we built cubbies for the Boys and Girls Club so every student that goes to their after school program has a place for their stuff. At the end of the day we all boarded the bus, got ready and went out to Santa Monica for dinner on Pico Street, a well known Jewish community in LA and to shop and experience the Santa Monica Pier. The trip so far has been a great way to meet Jewish students my age and connect on a deeper level of service and friendship.
-Ally Kruzansky, University of Connecticut

Creativity At It's Finest

This trip to Los Angeles has definitely been an adventure for me. I had no idea what to expect so I came in with an open mind. I love to be creative so when I found out we were making murals for the skate park I was excited. Skating is a great way for the kids in the boys and girls club to express themselves so I felt that drawing and painting these murals was a way of expressing myself. Through the use of inspirational pictures and paints of all colors, I was able to create something that will last forever...plus something to make the area just a little more lively. I hope that through my creativity and artistic skills I will be able to show kids that there are many things that one could do to inspire others to just be themselves and have fun!

Cari Covell
University of Delaware
Class of 2013

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Give me a lever and a place to stand and I will move the world...

















































Just Jewish?

First and foremost, working with the Boys and Girls Club of America was great; however what really caused me to think was the guest speaker. Ms. Jackie Goldberg told us about education throughout California. To my surprise per student spending in California is only 8,000. That is close to four times less than per student spending on the East coast. All and all, these facts are important and further underscore how our education system is going down hill. Yet, what caught attention was not the statics, because I have taken many education courses. What caught my attention was the fact that Jewish people have valued education for so long. Even though it is proven through the teaching of Torah and the amount of Jewish students in post secondary education that Jewish people care deeply about education, why is that we not more active in fighting for an equal education for all. In summary, working in the Boys and Girls Club of America and hearing Jackie Goldberg speak taught me not only to appreciate the education I received, but also fight for the leaders of tomorrow to receive the same.

Great Beginning

You always here of LA in the movies, in the news, on TV - more or less, everywhere. So, naturally, I had some predispositions about the trip and what it was going to be like. I wasn't expecting this.
Before this trip, I had never been to California, and I think it is safe to say, that I would stay here for much much much much much longer than a week. The weather is beyond gorgeous, the locals, as well as all the students on this trip, are more than amazing, and the community work is completely and utterly rewarding.
Yesterday, we went out to the Boys and Girls club of Santa Monica and repainted the main room, cut, and stapled wood for new cubbies for the children, and began to sketch new murals for beautification. And when we actually met the kids, and got to interact with them, I realized that it was all completely worth the hard work.
Tomorrow, we will continue the efforts, and I look forward to every moment of it.


-Kenny Wallach, University of Delaware, Class of 2013

Day one

I thouroughly enjoyed painting the boys and girls club of santa monica as well as playing aliens. wizards and tall people with the children as well as my trip mates yesterday...GO OWLS!
p.s. If we can paint the whole place in a day, imagine what we can do in a week...

1st day

Today our project was to paint all the walls of the Boys and Girls Club. It was amazing to see how much a little paint can do. It looks great! We also got to play with the kids, they seem like a great group so far. Can't wait to see what else is in store. :)
Lexi Aronson FAU

Day 1 Boys and Girls Club

Volunteering is in my blood and it's something I love to do, and yesterday was no exception. As I am sitting here finishing my breakfast I anxiously waiting for Day two to start. I can't wait to go back to the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Monica and improve the vicinity these kids play in everyday. For a large majority of the day my group which is the College of Staten Island and Hunter students spent creating murals and painting. Even though a large majority of us were still exhausted from our flight we were all still energetic and willing to help no matter what we were asked to do. The highlight of the day is when the kids arrived at around 3:00. The smile on these kids displayed while playing games with us was priceless. Day two will soon begin....

Monday, January 4, 2010

It was a great day in LA!

Monday at the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Monica...


















































Day 2 Boys & Girls Club

Today was our first day of work. When we first arrived at the Young Boys and Girls Club, we were split into groups by campus and learned "PT" which is a warm up activity that we do before we start the day. After warm up our groups partook in various activities such as stripping the walls, sanding peices of wood to be posted on the gates outside, and painting the stripped walls. Our group was responsible for sanding wood, stripping wood, and painting. It was a long and fun day where we interacted with the youth of the Boys and Girls Club and we are looking foward towards tomorrow.

Doron Roth
Stefanie Schechter
CUNY College of Staten Island