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....

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