Meet the 2016-2017 Eisendrath Legislative Assistants
The beginning of the program year is always an exciting time at the RAC, as we begin a new cycle of tikkun olam work.
Related Blog Posts on Balfour/Brickner Fellows, Burstein Fellows, Eisendrath Legislative Assistants, L'Taken Seminars, and Machon Kaplan
Combatting Child Poverty in Puerto Rico Through Debt Reduction
Puerto Rico is an island with roughly 3.4 million inhabitants. If the territory were a state, it would be the 29th largest in the Union. As it stands, Puerto Rico has over $70 billion in debt.
L'Taken Stays With Us Long After the Season Ends
With another L’Taken season ended, and preparations already beginning for next year, the current class of legislative assistants spent some time reflecting on their experiences working with the teens and chaperones who come to Washington, D.C.
L'Taken Ruach Week!
Thanks to everyone who participated in our inagural L'Taken Ruach Week! This post has been updated below to show the winners of our four prizes. And to thank everyone who participated at L'Taken we will have a special gift for you at L'Taken.
At the RAC, we
Introducing the 2015-2016 Eisendrath Legislative Assistants!
It’s that time of year! The newest class of Eisendrath Legislative Assistants arrived at the RAC two weeks ago, and jumped right into the Washington, D.C.
From L’Taken to Machon Kaplan and Beyond: My Advocacy for LGBT Equality
By Abby Kirshbaum
When I was in 10th grade, I attended the Religious Action Center’s L’Taken Seminar with my confirmation class. On the last day of the trip we got to lobby to one of our senators on an issue that appealed most to us. Little did I know, the legislation in which I lobbied, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), would become such a huge part of my life.
Taking Steps to Support Mental Health
By Elise Glaser
With the correct resources and aid, those suffering from mental illness can find a way to a cure, or a way to effectively manage their illness. I watched my brother climb out of a deep addiction after years of rehab, sober living, Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous and therapy. Only with my parents’ health insurance was this possible and was his stability secured. I have many friends who have found their way out of depression, anxiety, eating disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder with the right medication and treatment. However, these treatments were always accessible by their families’ income and insurance. Throughout these rehabilitation processes, there was little help or guidance from the government, putting the majority of the stress on the concerned family members.
L'Taken Student Lobbies to End to Violence Against Women
Over the course of six L’Taken seminars this winter, I had the opportunity to work with inspiring groups of teen advocates dedicated to ending violence against women. At the final seminar of this season, Sasha Halpern, from Temple Brith Achim in King of
Coming Together as a Movement Through Social Justice
By Reuben Bank
When people ask me why I’m passionate about social justice I always struggle to find the correct answer. There are several generic responses that I could go to such as, “because there are so many unjust things in the world,” or another classic, “because I have a passion for helping people,” but these never seem to work for me. They don’t encompass the real reasons that I am passionate about tikkun olam, about repairing the world. I’m not passionate about social justice by itself, I’m not interested in doing random community service hours every weekend. As a Reform Jewish teenager, I am passionate about being a part of a movement.
Equal Pay Is Essential for Everyone
There is no shortage of rhetoric from American politicians about the value of work.