feature
by Sam Gringlas
living hist,-
teen's role at museum helps give people firsthand knowledge of the past.
t is 90 degrees outside and the air is thick
forward to where we're headed in the future.
with humidity. I'm wearing long pants, a
Through conflict and friendship, triumph and
long-sleeved shirt, a waistcoat and a felt
defeat, it is important to not only remember
hat. Sounds crazy but I'm actually preparing
times of achievement and success, but also those
to travel almost 200 years back in time. Now it
parts of history that are ugly and painful.
really seems I've lost my mind, right?
Growing up Jewish, this has always been
Not really. This is the everyday routine for my
important. Every time we read Torah or listen
job as a youth interpreter at Conner Prairie, a liv-
to a d'var Torah, our past gives us guidance in
ing history museum in Indianapolis. Living history
present day. Most importantly, we remember
allows people to learn about the past firsthand by
our history and its mistakes so they don't repeat
experiencing history rather than viewing it from
themselves in the future. Even though the Holo-
the pages of a book or an exhibit behind glass.
caust was a time of death and destruction, we re-
At Conner Prairie, guests not only get to ex-
member it to prevent it for happening again. We
plore the restored buildings and villages, but also
also make connections with parents or grand-
step into a different time period. Visitors interact Sam Gringlas, 15, of Farmington Hills volunteered at Conner Prairie in parents, as they share cherished memories with
with costumed characters and are often asked to Indianapolis this summer.
their posterity.
lend a hand during the day's activities.
History cannot be forgotten. The task of re-
That's where I come in. As an interpreter, it is
I do it, especially because there is no pay. Although
membering our past and passing on our history
my job to interpret life in the past by portraying a it's a lot of fun, I think it's important.
is more significant than ever. Living history muse-
character from the year 1836. When I take on this
These days, less people are taking an interest in ums like Conner Prairie keep this history alive for
role, 1836 becomes present day. If you asked me history. The question is often asked, "Why do we
all to experience, keeping fading memories and sto-
about TV, I would only know them as letters in the have do learn about something that happened such ries from disappearing into the abyss of years gone
alphabet.
a long time ago? Does it really even affect us?"
by. H
It's often hard work — I have to do all the chores
It does. History is all about the stories, people
and activities that were done back then. It requires and events that shaped communities, our country Sam Gringlas, 15, is a sophomore at North Farmington
a lot of improvisation because there are no scripts to and the world we live in. By looking back at our High School.
learn, just basic biographies. Many people ask why history, we consider how far we've come and look
Here we are folks!
It's Rosh Hashanah Eve
and the Giant Matzah Ball is
just starting to drop!
Israel adventure
by Laura Katsnelson
changing lives
Nesiya Institute in Israel enriched
the life of this Jewish teen.
ne of my beliefs is that everything I do in life
is a changing experience. Whether it's big or
small, each part of my life shapes me along
the way. However, I know that this summer with the
Nesiya Institute has affected me more than the usual
experience, and in ways I'll never fully realize.
Looking back, I can see that the program has strength-
ened my relation to Judaism and connected me with the
land of Israel. But, most surprisingly, it has changed my
perspective on the world, on relationships with others, and
on life in general.
T2T cartoon by staff cartoonist Josh Loney
TT2
teen2teen September 10 • 2009
Flash back to the day before the six-week program be-
gan. I was about to embark on a trip to a distant land,
knowing no one. Although I was nervous about going
alone, one of the reasons I had picked Nesiya over other
visit JNt2t.com