Journalism by Jewish college students, for Jewish college students.
I am in a deeply committed relationship with mud. Like most relationships, it caught me unexpectedly. One day, I was working on a farm, learning about whole-systems and planting some kohlrabi, when bam! It happened. Mud came into my life and somehow I am now specializing in mud building at Chava v’ Adam Ecologit. But…
 The Global Citizen is a joint project of New Voices and the American Jewish World Service (AJWS). Throughout the year, a group of former AJWS volunteers will offer their take on global justice, Judaism and international development. Opinions expressed by Global Citizen bloggers do not necessarily represent AJWS. Yesterday I had one of those…
My heart hastened its pace as we our bus passed through the security check point and crossed into the West Bank. The guards stared at the tinted windows and held fast to their M-16s. We, my friend Deb and I, were on our way to Karnei Shomron, a Jewish settlement a half hour north of…
Last week, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to have a traditional Shabbat in the Old City of Jerusalem, with a group of my friends. Together, we were 5 North Americans, and we were all hoping the same thing: to get some of that “sparkle and spirit” that one always hears about from…
Each morning, I wake up to the playful sound of “RooCoo!” The crowing alerts the group of Americans and our madrich, or counselor, that breakfast is ready. I emerge from my cocoon of blankets and sleeping bag and peel off one of my several layers. I stumble from my geodesic dome and step out into…
Anyone who knows me is aware of the fact that I love hip-hop. Old-school, new-school, white, black, Filipino, Canadian—it’s all good to me. R&B chimes in with its sultry melodies and catchy hooks to complement the harder sound of rap, creating a musical dynamic with soft and street edges. Even though rap is a game…
The Global Citizen is a joint project of New Voices and the American Jewish World Service (AJWS). Throughout the year, a group of former AJWS volunteers will offer their take on global justice, Judaism and international development. Opinions expressed by Global Citizen bloggers do not necessarily represent AJWS. In 1977, there was a famous boycott…
As young people of this generation are often reminded, we should appreciate speaking to survivors of the Holocaust while they are still around. While it may be common for people to know about the Holocaust from their history classes over the years, there are those of us who are fortunate enough to have heard first-hand…
It was a beautiful sunny day with a crystal clear sky. Outside the airplane’s window we could see Gaza and the ocean beyond. The jump instructor asked my friend, Regina, where she was from; she had such a pretty accent, but he couldn’t place it. Germany, she told him. Alright, her instructor shouted, just like…
I have to admit, I wasn’t at all up to date with the unfortunate situation in Haiti until this morning. I knew that there had been a catastrophic earthquake with a tremendously high death toll, but I must admit that I didn’t really pay it much mind (I know, there’s no excuse, I’m a political…
As another Friday evening approaches, I think, as a typical college student, what’s going on tonight? What are my friends doing? My thoughts turn to Hillel, because that’s where a lot of students gather on Friday nights, for services and dinner. Hillel claims to be ‘the foundation for Jewish life on campus’ but I wonder…
The Global Citizen is a joint project of New Voices and the American Jewish World Service (AJWS). Throughout the year, a group of former AJWS volunteers will offer their take on global justice, Judaism and international development. Opinions expressed by Global Citizen bloggers do not necessarily represent AJWS. A Short Word of Torah: Va’era (January…
Pope Benedict XVI hasn’t always had the greatest reputation for being pro-Jewish. In fact, he was a known member of the Hitler Youth when he was a young German man, which practically screams “anti-Semitism†(though whether he joined voluntarily and/or participated in their rituals is open to debate). Let’s take a look at a latest…
While volunteering in Israel on a 5 month MASA program, working with Israelis ranging from ages 7-17, me and my fellow volunteers are always asked the same question: why do you love Israel so much that you are living here? They can’t get their heads around the fact that people not only want to, but…