Walk for Israel at Ravinia. post 12

Sunday, April 28th there is a huge event going on at Ravinia.

"Join hundreds of Chicagoland Jewish teens for J-Serve 2013, the Official Day of Jewish Youth Service. This year’s program is Literacy and Advocacy. Hands-on volunteering and a teen-led Israel Advocacy Program will take place in Ravinia Festival’s Dining Pavilion from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m." There is a walk for Israel every year in a lot of cities around Chicago. There used to be a big one downtown, but they changed it to be more local and less of a commotion downtown. I like it better in the suburbs because I feel safer with less people around me and also Ravinia is the coolest venue so I have no problems with having it there.

"At noon, we will join thousands of Chicagoans for Israel Solidarity Day, the Walk with Israel and special performances from Matisyahu and The Maccabeats!" The cool part about this is that it is not only advocating for Israel through walking and money, but embracing Israeli music and music in hebrew. We fully immerse ourselves into this day including our clothing (we all get free t-shirts) and the food we eat (falafel, hummus, etc) and much much more.

The Teen J-Serve Project is co-sponsored by JUF, BBYO, CFJE, JSC, JSU, NCSY, NFTY, Shorashim, USY and Young Judaea. I am super pumped about all of this because I am a chapter president in USY for my synagogue and I am excited to be around people who feel the same way about being a Jewish teenager as well as an Israel advocate. The only thing I am nervous about is the safety at the walk of Israel. It is the one day of the year when I feel kind of uncomfortable being in a huge group of Jewish people, even if we are doing something for a great cause. I feel like to the rest of the community it is just a big target, but hopefully I am being paranoid and nothing will ever happen during the Walk for Israel.

I hope this is a successful day, it is one a lot of people look forward to every year and is very family and community oriented. I'm really thankful for living in a place where Israel and Israeli culture is recognized, even if just for one day!