The Rambling Page

Planting Seeds
By Sabrina Danelich, JFX Young Families Coordinator

I spent two and a half years working with NCSY in Minneapolis, a Jewish organization dedicated to connecting teens—many from public schools—to their heritage. The Jewish community there is spread out, so we worked hard to reach as many teens as possible. One of our biggest tools was JSU (Jewish Student Union), clubs that met in public schools. We’d come in with a lesson about the upcoming holiday, play a game, and of course bring food—which, let’s be honest, was often what drew them in.

Together with my coworker, we ran clubs in 20 different schools. Some clubs were packed with 40 Jewish teens; others had just two or three. I remember one particular school, about half an hour’s drive away, where my bi-weekly club consistently drew only two or three teens. I’d schlep out there, sometimes questioning whether it was worth the effort. More than once, I asked myself, “Am I really making a difference here?”

But those few teens came to my house for Shabbat dinner. They joined in on activities outside of school. They were listening, even if it wasn’t always obvious at the time.

I left NCSY Minneapolis over a year ago, but right before this past Rosh Hashanah, I received a text from one of those teens—the JSU president of that small club. He wrote:

“Happy Shana Tova! It’s really great to hear from you, I love seeing your beautiful family on social media and hope you guys are well in the New Year. I’ve continued to connect with my Judaism in college and a big part of that started with you and Sabrina, so I just wanted to say I’m incredibly grateful!”

This young man had almost no Jewish involvement before JSU. His first Friday night Shabbat meal was at my table. And now, he’s carrying his Judaism with him into college life.

As we enter the Jewish New Year, I’m reminded that sometimes the seeds we plant take time to grow. The impact of our efforts isn’t always immediate or obvious—but it’s there, waiting for the right moment to blossom.

Shabbat shalom, 
Sabrina