Roots And Fruits
What made this apple decay and grow mold,
This is a message for both young and old.
Reign Of Silence
There’s so much he could do
Resources are not few
He refuses to end all
His SILENCE.
Combat Boots
They called the colt Unbridled Song.
His father's name was Unbridled, his mother's Trolley Song. The colt loved to run, with an energy and spirit that stretched into an endless melody of wind and pounding hooves and the freedom of the open track. They hoped he would become a champion.
Tree Of Life
Girls don't usually learn Gemara. Everyone knows that.
Air Friend
Should I make conversation with her? How should I start? A million questions zoomed through Leah’s mind until she finally said, “Shalom, do you speak English?” Leah questioned.
Get Smart!
Playing a musical instrument can help build faith in yourself as you observe yourself do something splendidly.
Auschwitz-Birkenau: A Merger Of Silence And Speech
As I powerfully belted out the song, Ani Maamin B’emunah Sheleima – which means “I believe in God with full faith” – a thought suddenly crossed my mind.
I Won’t Stop For Death; It Will Stop For Me
The importance of death customs has been ingrained in me since birth. When I served as a shomeret for my grandmother, I was instructed not to eat, drink or perform a mitzvah in the same room. In the shock of death, it seemed rather inane to be told it would be considered mocking the dead. My grandmother was gone; she couldn’t do those things because she didn’t exist anymore, a fact that still makes me tear up.
My City
Garbage in your streets, my city
Wind-blown litter, lonely men
Why Is Music Education Important?
In the hands of a child with talent, passion and persistence, an instrument can change a life.
In Your Hands
The sounds and scents of the kitchen are cozy, familiar, but loud in the silence.
Subway In Action
I take my usual spot
the one by the door
and I let out a sigh cuz
I’ve seen this scene before.
Therapy? Straight Talk For Teens
Believe it or not, some schools actually have therapists or guidance counselors on staff.
Post THIS On Facebook: An NCSY Advisor opens up about how Social Media is...
My relationship with social media is and remains an ambivalent one. Unlike many of my peers, I did not initially embrace social media, from its beginning stages with AOL instant messenger and proceeding quickly on to MySpace and Facebook.
The Dating Game
They say there’s no bigger nightmare than starting to go out / You’re playing emotional mind games that involve another’s feelings, no doubt / Your hopes atop a roller coaster, but soon to be set in loops / Where you’ll have to make good conversation again, over your cream-of-broccoli soup.
Today I Met Bruce Meyers
Never sacrifice the people who matter for anything of lesser importance...
The Accident
I still don’t cross the street on the corner of West End Avenue. Just looking at that intersection causes a chill to run down my spine, and my thoughts suddenly wander back to November 22, 2011.
Queen Esther
I can feel the fear pulsing through my veins, blocking out everything around me. I walk down the long, unembellished hall, which is dimly lit with fiery torches at every bend. I can’t help but wonder if it was purposely built this way to terrorize me. As I slowly edge towards the doors, I keep telling myself it’s going to be fine…but what if it’s not? I can feel my stomach twisting as I turn the last corner and come to a complete stop.
Revolutionizing Bikkur Cholim Through Music
A program that started with a handful of volunteers has grown exponentially to include students from a wider array of backgrounds.
‘On the Rerouted Train’
The sudden jerk of the train woke Rena up with a start. She blinked a couple of times realizing she was still on the subway. Her head was pounding from the roar of the tracks. She adjusted her headphones letting the music echo heavily in her ears. Rena closed her eyes again trying to ignore the headache which just wouldn’t go away.
Twisted Media: The Skinny Truth
I’m going to tell you something that the media doesn’t want you to know. The image of the perfect woman they promote as healthy - That’s not actually that healthy. I mean, we all want to look good and feel good, but the body image that the media shows today is truly horrible.
Beauty
They try to manipulate you into thinking that by definition you're a shell and on the inside your dead, you don't exist. They put zero meaning into life. The shell is their focus - that's what they make of life!
Say What?
It was September 25, 2006. Tammy, an oblivious, petite, third grader lay in bed, counting her stationary collection, when she decided she needed a drink. As she descended the staircase, she was surprised to see her mother dressed in this bubby-like gown.
Tefillah On The Train
We aren't at a platform; we are underground, just sitting there.
Being Jewish
Leah Katz, a TeenZone camper at Oorah’s TheZone summer camp and an 11th grader at Midwood High School, read her winning essay about how TheZone changed her views on Judaism at the Jewish Heritage Awards Ceremony held at Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes’s office in April. The purpose of the Jewish Heritage Essay Contest is to acquaint public school students with Jewish history and customs and to help foster a deeper understanding of Jewish culture. The contest is open to students of all ethnic and religious backgrounds. Leah’s essay is reproduced in full below.
Around The World In Three Hundred Days: Reflections On A Year In Israel
As a person who grew up close to New York City, where everything is impressive and accessible, I never felt much of a need to go anywhere. In typical New York fashion, I considered local parks sufficient greenery, and never thought about traveling to places where the sky might be visible or that might have clean air. So it is not surprising that until last year the extent of my world travel consisted of several trips upstate, going to visit friends in New Jersey and Connecticut, and a couple of trips to Boston.
Turning Toward Teshuva
Is a missed opportunity to do a mitzvah considered a sin?
Dear SATs,
Dear SATs,
I’d rather not take you because once I do
my worth will be judged according to you-
The Truth About Fat And Health
Let's not forget that we come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
Preparing Your Teens For Their Yeshiva Year In Israel
It can be a daunting process sending teens off for their first year of study in Eretz Yisroel. For most teens, this will be their first complete year away from the comfort of home and the guidance of their parents. As if that isn’t enough, they’ll be about a full day’s travel away from home.