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This session will highlight best practices and will include interactive exercises that will explore ways that you can involve teens in the activism and service learning work that you do.
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Engaging Teens in Activism & Tikkun Olam
Presented By: Shiri Bernstein
Marketing & Outreach CoordinatorAreyvut
What is Activism?
• Intentional action to bring about social or political change.
• This action is in support of, or opposition to, one side of a controversial argument.
• Standing up for what you believe in!
• Activism should ALWAYS coincide with “service learning.” Before anyone begins to fight for their beliefs, they should understand what they are fighting for.
• Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is in danger. I am God. – Leviticus 19:16
What is Tikkun Olam? (Hebrew: תיקון עולם)
• “Repairing the world” or “perfecting the world.”
• In the Mishnah it states: mip'nei tikkun olam ("for the sake of tikkun olam") which indicates that a practice of tikkun olam should be followed not because it is required by Biblical law, but because it helps avoid negative social consequences.
What does Wiki Say?Among many, tikkun olam has taken on
political, as well as religious, significance. It is often used as a synonym for social action or social justice, with the implication that we
should work toward the development of a fair and equal society with the same zeal
with which their ancestors may have followed Jewish religious law.
Facts About Gen Y (today's teens)
• They make up 26% of the population
• They are know as the “online” generation (always connected)
• Technology is in their circle of friends (their iPod is one of their extended limbs)
• Their attention span is limited, they get bored easily
• They smell a forced connection a mile away and don’t trust anyone
10 Tips for Taking Social ActionTaken from The Kid’s Guide to Social Justice By Barbara A. Lewis
1. Choose a problem
2. Do your research
3. Brainstorm possible solutions & choose one
4. Build coalitions of support
5. Work with your opposition
6. Advertise
7. Raise money
8. Carry out your solution
9. Evaluate and reflect
10. Don’t give up!
Now, how exactly are you supposed to engage & motivate
your teens in activism & tikkun olam?
Motivation through the Mediagetting inside the mind of teenagers
• Cartoons
• Videos/Games
• Technology(Podcasts, BlogsSocial Networks, Cell Phones…)
• Music
– We Didn’t Start the Fire
By Billy Joel
We Didn’t Start the FireWhat is this song referring to?
• Place teens in groups of four.• Tell them that they are going to update the song.• Have students individually brainstorm events and issues
from 2000 – present.• Have group members share.• Create a group stanza.• Pass out transparency and have groups write a new
stanza.• Each group will share / sing new stanza.• Following the sharing have groups discuss rationale for
events / issues included.• Have groups research and investigate original song’s
events and issues.
1990-2001Lyrics Written By Shiri Bernstein
Fiber Optics, Bill Clinton, Storm Andrew, OJ SimpsonGulf War, Cold War, World Wide InternetMid East, Trade Towers, Waco Texas, Collin PowellOklahoma, LA Quake, Lorena BobbittPlaystation, Rodney King, The 60’s are back againColumbine, Mark McGuire, Monica, John Glen
“We didn’t start the terror, it was always present though we tried to fight it, we didn’t start the terror, it is always near, despite our fear”
Broadband, Boy bands, Palm Pilot, DVDAustin Powers, Unabomber, Reality TVHalley’s Comet, Y2K, Living in the info age9-11, Anthrax, Barry Bonds, the X-box
“We didn’t start the terror, it was always present though we tried to fight it, we didn’t start the terror, it is always near, despite our fear”
With Passion…
With Needs…
Maslow’s Hierarchy
By Solving Problems
Israel
Animals
Hunger
Disabilities
The Environment
Passions + Needs + Problems =
A lifelong commitment to…
Chesed (kindness) Tzedakah (charity) Tikkun Olam (well, you know what this means…)
Because the teens have made the decisions on their own, they will be more likely to take a greater interest
in the acts of kindness they are performing.
So, now that we know what our teens are interested in, where do
we go from here?
Exposure
Role Models
Ask older students, teachers and celebrities who have done cool,
innovative projects to speak with your teens and discuss their
experiences.
Community Service Fairs
Arrange a personalized fair for students. This exposition is a
wonderful opportunity for students to begin the process of choosing
a meaningful mitzvah project.
Model A: Volunteer Fair
Representatives from various community
organizations introduce students and their
families to a variety of hands on mitzvah
projects. Staff should offer
guidance on how to plan
and execute mitzvah
projects that best meet
each students needs.
Model B: Hands-On Fair
Students are introduced to a variety of
mitzvah projects through participating in
Hands-on activities that will help them decide
what project best fits their needs and interests.
Both models can also be
combined into one fair.
Experiential Learning
Let teens see first hand how fortunate they
really are. Taking teens to a soup kitchen,
lets them see who will benefit from their
good deeds. This is often enough
reward to motivate students to
continue doing tikkun olam.
• Encourage teens to stand up for their beliefs.
• Encourage teens to do projects that interest them.
• Encourage teens to be creative and start a project on their own if they can’t find one that fits their needs.
• Encourage teens by participating in projects with them.
• Encourage teens to do projects with their friends. (VERY IMPORTANT!!)
• Encourage teens with rewards and incentives (i.e. community service hours).
Encourage
RAD:DSarita Rosenstock, of Princeton, NJ co-founded an independent, student-run organization called Raising Awareness Destination: Darfur dedicated to raising awareness about the ongoing genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan, and helping to stop it. Since RAD:D’s launch in 2005, it has spoken to youth groups, synagogues and schools, organized a number of fundraising and educational events regarding the crisis and is currently working on future events.
The genocide in Darfur has been going on for years and not enough has been done to help the three million people awaiting relief. To learn more about the situation, get involved and help, contact RAD:D to find out how you can help make a difference and start a program in your community.
Contact: Sarita RosenstockPhone: 609-497-1149 E-mail: [email protected]
Operation NoahOperation Noah is an organization created by Dennis Fries, a teenager from Chandler, Arizona, when he was only 13 years-old. While undergoing medical tests, Dennis discovered how a soft, cuddly stuffed animal could comfort young hospital patients. With this in mind, Operation Noah set out to collect and deliver stuffed animals to cheer up children in local hospitals.
In just over two years, Operation Noah has collected and donated over 20,000 stuffed animals, visited 50 hospitals and has expanded beyond Arizona to 10 states. Operation Noah's goal is to set up chapters in every state so that children in hospitals everywhere can be comforted.
Get Involved: If you would like to participate or request that your community or organization be part of this project, please visit http://operationnoah.info for information on starting your own collection drive.
Helen’s Bike-a-thonHelen Berman of Westchester County, NY, held a bike-a-thon to raise money to buy food for victims of terror in Israel. The bike-a-thon was held at the Westchester County Center in White Plains. Despite the rain, over 50 people came out to show their support and partake in the activities. Some riders did the 3 mile route, while others did the full 14 mile “super advanced” trail. But no matter how far they rode, all participants received t-shirts and refreshments. After a full day of fun, Helen raised over $15,000.
Evaluate
• Mitzvah Project Planning Journal• Mitzvah Essay Contest• Log Community Service Hours• Discussions & Reflections• Be Creative!
Photography/Videos Writing (poetry, drama, music, etc) Skits/Performances Visual Arts (murals, crafts, etc) Technology (blogs, etc)
Results
Giving your teen proper guidance, leads to
successfully participation in activism &
tikkun olam.
More than that, they will want to do
chesed, tzedakah & tikkun olam.
