APRIL 12, 2018 – 27 NISAN 5778 JEWISHVOL 42, NO 19 JOURNALJEWISHJOURNAL.ORG Jewish youth groups help teens embrace their heritage By Michael Wittner how I practiced. We all had being JOURNAL CORRESPONDENT Jewish in common, and we were one big family. Everyone feels so ast Sukkot, around 40 comfortable and welcome.” teenagers from all over the The North Shore is full of LNorth Shore came to Rabbi youth groups like Jew Crew. Shmaya Friedman’s house in Even though they’re run by dif- Swampscott to celebrate. Under ferent synagogues and organiza- the sukkah, they made tacos, put tions and serve different com- on some Israeli music, and lit a munities, their overall missions bonfire. are similar: To foster a sense A few of the attendees were 12 of community among Jewish and 13, and didn’t know many of youth, and help them become the people around them. Most upstanding citizens who give people were older – 17 or 18. But back to their community and by the end of the night, in true are proud to be Jewish. Sukkot spirit, everyone was sit- Some of the youth groups on ting around the fire, talking like the North Shore are run by syna- old friends. gogues. The Jew Crew has been Lauren Kagan, a junior at a part of Chabad for 20 years. Gann Academy in Waltham, Its mission, according to Rabbi remembers that night as one Friedman, is to “make Judaism of her fondest memories of Jew real and appealing to today’s Crew, a local teen youth group teens, ensuring a commitment run by Chabad of the North to their Jewish future.” Shore. Jew Crew holds weekly For Kagan, the welcoming Chabad’s Jew Crew poses in front of menorah to celebrate Hanukkah. Shabbat dinners, and month- spirit of Jew Crew has always ly events that usually center been its biggest draw. “It was she said. Seeing that remind- bat mitzvah. Although Kagan joined Jew Crew. around a Jewish holiday and fun to see the new generation ed her of her own experience a attended the Epstein Hillel “They welcomed me with involve spirited discussion of its of Jew Crew come bond with few years ago, when she started School, she didn’t feel a true open arms,” said Kagan. “It didn’t themes and meaning. Jew Crew older kids and feel welcome,” coming to events right after her connection to Judaism until she matter how religious I was or continued on page 14 APPRECIATION The pressure-cooker Mimi Lappin, philanthropist called Gaza and community leader By Lawrence Rifkin By Steven A. Rosenberg he high electric fence JOURNAL STAFF around the Gaza Strip is Tprobably Israel’s most or Mimi Lappin, life revolved closely watched border. around family, Judaism, philan- It’s watched, of course, by Fthropy, fashion, and art. Lappin, the Israel Defense Forces, with who along with her husband Robert, constant military patrols, forti- donated tens of millions to North Shore fied observation posts, and day/ Jewish organizations over the last several night cam- decades, always seemed to be thinking Letter eras in what of ways to give back. otherwise Lappin, who served as chairwoman from would be of the Women’s Division of the Jewish Jerusalem blind spots. Federation of the North Shore, died on There are March 28. She was 92, and had been mar- also efforts to monitor and block ried to Robert Lappin for almost 72 years. the tunnels being dug under the “She had a love for Jewish people,” fence to send terrorists into Israel said Robert Lappin, whom she met one to kill and bring back hostages. A Palestinian woman protests at the Gaza border. summer night in 1943 at the former But the fence is also watched by much of the rest of world, as it’s a border that Preston Beach Inn in Swampscott. The poses problems like none of Israel’s other frontiers, even that with Lebanon. These Mimi Lappin couple married three years later after problems can easily become diplomatic and public relations nightmares owing to the Robert returned from serving in the Navy come from Russia, and her mother was fact that the Gaza Strip is part of the high-profile Israeli-Palestinian dispute, but also during World War II. from Boston. After a short stint in Lynn, because it’s ruled by the hardline Islamic group Hamas and many of its residents live “It was love at first sight,” Robert the family moved to Swampscott, where in poverty and squalor. Lappin recalled. “She was such a beauti- Mimi attended Swampscott schools. The IDF imposed a sea blockade and began to control its skies after terror groups, ful, lovely person.” After graduating from Swampscott High following the 2005 Israeli withdrawal, began using it to launch rockets and other pro- Mimi Lappin was born in Chelsea, School, she earned a degree from Mount jectiles rather than turn it into a productive enclave. This is why people say that Israel and was the daughter of Louis and Ida College in Newton. is still an “occupier” there – although to be fair, this school of thought would make Beatrice (Gordon) Zaiger. Her father had continued on page 3 continued on page 9 The Jewish Journal is a nonprofit newspaper supported by generous readers, committed advertisers and charitable organizations. Email [email protected]. 2 THE JEWISH JOURNAL – JEWISHJOURNAL.ORG – APRIL 12, 2018 Teens, adults coming together for Mitzvah Day April 22 in Salem By Laurie Fullerton working together, using our adults into the Mitzvah Day JOURNAL CORRESPONDENT hands and guided by our hearts, helps foster leadership and helping those in need, creating adults and youth can learn SALEM – Combined Jewish dozens of projects to enhance from each other working side Philan thropies is joining the two incredible agencies.” by side.” Jewish Teen Initiative of Greater For CJP, the desire to join up The organization urges Boston to bring a communi- with JTI stems in part from the adults from throughout the ty-wide Mitzvah Day to Salem organization’s hope to support Boston community and the on April 22 to support those in youth and reach more adults North Shore to volunteer on need. and families in the Jewish com- April 22. “We couldn’t be more Adults and teens from munity who want to volunteer excited to expand our reach throughout the North Shore are on April 22. Building leader- by working alongside CJP to urged to join together in help- ship and bringing generations bring this dynamic teen-led ing to landscape, paint, and together is one of CJP’s key volunteer opportunity to all freshen up two facilities in a goals. ages throughout the commu- day-long event. Lifebridge is a “This is the first time CJP nity,” said Adam Smith, execu- shelter targeting the needs of has done something this com- tive director of the Jewish Teen homeless and disadvantaged munity-based on the North Initiative. adults. Plummer Youth Promise Shore and we are thrilled to (formerly the Plummer School have the opportunity to partner For more information and to for Boys) is committed to help- with JTI on this initiative,” said register, visit jewishteeninitia- ing troubled youth. Elizabeth Tauro, business com- tive.org and go to the service The Jewish Teen Initiative munity liaison/North Shore learning link under programs, has offered a Mitzvah Day called manager of CJP. “Bringing then J-Serve. J-Serve for Jewish youth from the North Shore for the past six years. But for the first time, CJP is joining in to offer adults that opportunity to practice the Jewish tradition of tikkun olam (repair the world). “I hope Mitzvah Day will Last year, volunteers Jared Kasten and Nate Samuels helped build provide others with the abil- picnic tables. ity to make a difference in our community through tikkun with a BBQ and presentation bag of baked goods for each of olam,” said Maya Goldman of of the 2018 Derek Sheckman the boys at the Plummer home, Marblehead, a JTI teen leader. Award for leadership and com- who will be returning from “I am so excited and honored mitment to the community. school break on that day. that I will get to help lead these Then work groups will paint, “I can think of no bet- projects on a larger scale, and assemble picnic tables and ter way to spend a wonder- hope that a large amount of vis- shelves, clean and cook at both ful and meaningful afternoon,” ibility will attract more people at the Plummer Youth Promise said Anne Selby, co-chair of to ‘repair the world’ with us.” and Lifebridge. The two orga- CJP’s North Shore Planning The event begins at 56 nizations were asked to sub- Committee. “Grandparents, Last year, Abby Robinson and Dan Rosen worked to beautify the Margin St., Salem, at 11:30 a.m. mit wish lists that included a parents, children, and friends, Lynn Shelter Association. NORTH SHORE MITZVAH DAY Join Combined Jewish Philanthropies, the Jewish Teen Initiative of Greater Boston, and J-Serve for North Shore Mitzvah Day Sunday, April 22 | 11:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Lifebridge | 56 Margin Street, Salem Roll up your sleeves, rally your friends, and join your neighbors to make a difference on the North Shore. There will be plenty of ways to give back and have fun! Come enjoy: A kick-off kosher BBQ • Intergenerational projects • Activities for young children Teen-led service projects include: Baking and cooking • Painting interiors and murals • Building picnic tables and benches Decorating and making gift baskets • Gardening and beautifying the grounds This is a free event, but pre-registration is requested by April 13.