By Aaron M.,
Seventh Grade, Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno Congregation
Seventh grade students of Krieger Schechter Day School participated in Pursuers of Justice, a program held in November to bring students together with everyday pursuers of justice from around the community.
Program coordinator Sally Grobani, a KSDS lower school teacher, defines justice by the way she leads her own life. Last year, Grobani donated her kidney to the husband of former KSDS teacher Brina Pintzuk, putting her own life at risk in order to save another.
Pursuers of Justice consisted mostly of people involved in volunteer work, according to Grobani. In order for people to be pursuers of justice, “they have to have the concept of what just is and what it means to be just and have justice in the world,” she explained. “I think a pursuer of justice has to be someone who also looks around and sees where they can help, and as a world we are falling short in that.”
Many of the pursuers of justice in attendance work to help people in Maryland and across the world. Eli Allen, husband of a KSDS Judaic studies teacher, works for Civil Works, a company that helps local minorities find jobs.
As Allen explained, African-Americans are much more likely to be arrested and not even considered for a job just because of the color of their skin or their background. Even if a white person commits the same crime as a black person, whites are less likely to face consequences, he said.
Another pursuer of justice, Neely Grobani, spoke about an organization that works in 19 developing countries and aims to to improve human rights. According to Grobani, some people cannot even speak up for themselves because their government does not care.
Finally, Porsche Johnson, a counselor at Dorothy I. Heights Elementary School, makes sure that all of the school’s students get what they need to stay healthy. Some walk into school hungry or without weather appropriate clothing. Johnson said she makes it her mission to ensure the safety and comfort of all kids at Dorothy I. Heights.
“I hope that the seventh graders come away from this program understanding that as students, they have the ability to take something that interests them and help other people with it,” Grobani said.
The program informed students about how they can make a positive impact on someone’s life.
Jmore Juniors Noah S. and Eli S. take a look at the differences between the Jewish communities of Baltimore and Chicago.
Madeline L., a seventh grade student at Krieger Schechter Day School, writes about the phenomenon that has been Starbucks over the past half-century.
An eighth grade student at Krieger Schechter Day School, Jmore Juniors writer Micah B answers an array of questions from his peers.
Jmore Junior Eitan Beck writes about the pros and cons of having electric cars in the future.