A group of Temple Judea high school students just returned from an epic, action-packed four-day L'Taken trip to Washington, D.C. They toured the US Holocaust Memorial, Air & Space Museum, and Natural History Museum, all while somehow managing to explore Georgetown and survive an extremely cold Havdalah on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial. Talk about a memory!

But this journey was about so much more than sightseeing—L'taken is Hebrew for "to repair" and this experience was about students rolling up their sleeves and advocating for important issues like antisemitism prevention, reproductive rights, and gun violence prevention. Accompanied by Rabbi Rosenstein, they joined 400 other Jewish teens for a truly transformative experience where—in partnership with the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC)— they honed their advocacy skills and even took a crash course in persuasive storytelling. Let’s just say, good luck saying no to them after this trip!

On Capitol Hill, our students delivered speeches and met with congressional staffers, sharing their unique experiences as active citizens and demonstrating the power of civic engagement—an important value in our Jewish tradition. We couldn’t be prouder of how our teens represented Temple Judea with passion and purpose, using their voices to advocate for a better, more just future. 

As we approach Shabbat Shira, the "Shabbat of Song," this weekend, we are reminded that we are always stronger when we lift our voices together—whether in advocacy or song. This special Shabbat commemorates the Israelites’ song of praise, the Shirat Hayam (Song of the Sea), sung after they crossed the Red Sea and were liberated from slavery in Egypt. It’s a time of gratitude and reflection, a moment where our voices unite to bring us collective strength and a sense of shared purpose. At Temple Judea, we are thrilled to welcome artist in residence Joe Buchanan, whose music, along with his own unique story and experience, will inspire and uplift us throughout the week. Be sure to check out the listings below to join in this special weeklong experience!