ps And Prayer

erences aside for
n end to isolation.

LESLEY PEARL STAFF WRITER

14

Josh Lichtman
lights the
Havdalah
candle.

ntil Saturday, Lisa Order
being Jewish.
had never attended a
"Feeling a part of
youth group service, con-
nation," "identification,"
clave or dance.
"closeness to God," and
That situation could
"holidays off from schoo ,
change.
topped the positive list.
With her brother and a
"Anti-Semitism," "exclu-
friend, the Oak Park High
sion," and "dissensio..
School senior joined more
among denominations,"
than 50 other Jewish high
were listed as negatives of
school students in a
being Jewish.
Havdalah service for youth
"We need to know what
of all denominations.
we like about Judaism and
The Havdalah service,
being Jewish if we want to
followed by discussion
get others involved,
groups and a mixer at the
Jessica said. "If you don't
Agency for Jewish
know what you like about
Education building, was
being Jewish, you're not
coordinated by the Jewish
going to convince anyone."
Community Council. It
In another group, stu-
was sponsored by
dents worked to define
Hashachar Young Judae a, allegiances, as American
United Synagogue Yout h, Jews or Jewish America
B'nei Akiva, Michiga n Although most students
State Temple Youth, B'n ai considered themselves
B'rith Youth Organizatio n Americans first
and National Conferen ce
"America is a country;
of Synagogue Youth.
Judaism is a religion," was
A bit hesitant at firs t, heard more than once —
Lisa sang along to "Hen ei they agreed Jewish chari-
Mah Tov" and participate d ties deserved more of their
in conversations abou t dollars.
stereotypes and Israel.
Efforts at bringing the
"At first I didn't kno w Jewish community togeth-
what to say, but the n er were explored by listing
everyone joined in," Lis a stereotypes of each denom
said. "Yeah, I think I' d ination. Reform stereo-
come back if they did thi s types included a lack of
again."
Hebrew, Jewish law an-
Yarmulke-wearing an d kashrut.
leather-clad teens stoo d
Orthodox Jews were
side by side in a semi-cir - stereotyped as foreign,
de singing "Hatikvah" an d wearing black clothing an.
smelling the Havdalah
having sex with a sheet
spice box.
between partners.
A scripted slide show
Conservative Jews wer-
and discussion groups fol - viewed as middle-of-the-
lowed the service.
road on all issues.
Discussions were heated
The students believe.
and stereotypes were
the gap between denomi-
explored.
nations could be bridged
Sarah Meyers from USY
by social action activitie
and Jessica Kirzner from
and learning opportuni-
NCSY led a discussion on
ties.
getting non-affiliated Jews
Ben and Jerry's Peace
involved.
Pops — ice cream on
They also asked each
stick — were quickly
student to name positive
devoured following the dis-
and negative aspects of
cussion groups. ❑