High school student activists at Milken Community Schools, in partnership with Jewish World Watch, educated their peers and the community about the issues facing refugees at the YOZMA Siyyum Celebration and Action Fair on March 23.
Yozma, which means “initiative” in Hebrew, is Milken’s social action leadership initiative. At the recent event, groups shared their work to date and educated about various causes, including children, Israel, hunger, elderly, global issues, U.S. veterans, animal rights and Jewish World Watch.
As part of their presentation, the students who focused on Jewish World Watch and its initiatives used two containers of rice to show the difference between the World Food Programme’s recommended daily caloric intake (2,100 calories) and the daily ration available to refugees in 2015 (500-800 calories). They also educated attendees about three pieces of pending U.S. legislation, including one focused on genocide prevention.
Ethan Harouni, a 16-year-old junior, and co-chair of the group, said his experience in the JWW group has taught him much about mass atrocities taking place around the world and what he can do about it. He hopes that those who attended the action fair in the Margolis Performing Arts Theatre walked away knowing that they have a key role to play.
“What I’ve learned is that as Jews and as people as a whole, we cannot stand idly by. We must make an effort and do what we can do help out the issues that are happening globally,” he said. “What I hope other people take away from this is: Every contribution they make helps as well, and every single person makes a difference.”
The event included a special send-off for seniors and other awards for outstanding contributions. Elliott Shadgoo, a former chair of the JWW group who has advocated against genocide throughout his Milken years, received the Neshama Award, for being the soul of YOZMA. Aaron Harouni, also a former chair of the JWW group, received a Kavanah Award for his leadership and depth of focus. Sarah Kahn, new to YOZMA and Milken, is a rising star in YOZMA and received the Peer Recognition Award for the JWW team.
Director of YOZMA, Carolyn Reznik-Camras, said she is inspired by the dedication of these young teens to global causes. “When we give them a proper space, some guidance and Jewish lenses, our teenagers dream big for a better world and I have no doubt they will make it happen.”
Amy Friedman Cecil, JWW Director of Community Engagement, added, “That YOZMA continues, year after year, to produce teen activists is wonderful; that these teens are able to wrap their hearts and minds around something so huge and foreign as the plight of the 65 million left homeless due to genocide and mass atrocities is truly gratifying.”
Want JWW to meet with your students? Call Amy at (818) 501-1836 or email amy@jww.org.