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September 5, 2003/Elul 8 5763, Vol. 55, No. 54
Teens travel the west, repair the world
BETH OLSON
Staff Writer
Thirty-five teens from the Valley spent two weeks of their summer traveling the West and performing acts of tikkun olam (repairing the world).
Hebrew High Care-a-van 2003, a project of the Bureau of Jewish Education, was the second Care-a-van trip since its creation last year by Phoenix High School of Jewish Studies (Hebrew High) Principal Myra Shindler.
The trip took Hebrew High students to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Yosemite, Calif., Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, and other stops to do community service projects. The group also participated in discussions about ethical and religious topics such as kashrut, modesty and ecology, were visited by guest speakers, and were entertained with social events, including football games, campfires, white water rafting, sightseeing and more.
This was 17-year-old David Kaminsky's second Care-a-van trip. He says this year's program was even more enjoyable than last year's due to increased participation.
"There were double the people, double the chaperones. We did more projects and went more places," he recalls.
Despite the larger group, Kaminsky says he was able to become just as close to the other participants.
"The trip gave me new found confidence and friendships that I'm sure will last a lifetime. ... The strong bonds we made as a community are the reason I'm certain many of the people on this trip will remain friends forever," he says.
His favorite project on this year's trip was a Fourth of July dance at the Jewish Home of San Francisco, a nursing home.
"We basically went in there and tried to engage with them. They really enjoyed seeing us dance together and we also tried to dance with as many of them as possible," he recalls.
Allison Spitz, 15, was also on her second Care-a-van trip. She says her favorite project on this year's trip was Beach Olympics with children from the RAIN program for homeless children.
"It was a lot of one-on-one time and it was a lot of fun getting to know how great these kids are even if they come from a not-so-great home life," she says. "They are just amazing kids."
This was 16-year-old Andrea Lato's first Care-a-van trip. She decided to participate after friends told her what a great experience last year's trip was. She says the program was everything she expected it would be.
"This trip will definitely influence me in my life because now I know what it's like to help someone in need," says Lato. "I will never stop giving back because on this trip I saw the unbelievable difference that we made in the lives of so many others."
Contact the writer at beth_olson@jewishaz.com.
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