黑料社

Ruchot

Welcome to Ruchot: Community Organizing and Advocacy Training for High School Students

Some days, the news can feel overwhelming and that the world is full of big problems. As a young person, perhaps you care deeply about issues you see around you but aren鈥檛 always sure how to act and make a difference. That is why we created Ruchot.

Ruchot means 鈥渨inds鈥� in Hebrew (like 鈥渨inds of change鈥�). This seminar is designed for high school students who want to change the world. We will teach you to start organizing your community to work towards systemic change.

This year we will explore issues from the Conservative/Masorti Movement鈥檚 Tzedek Center for policy and social action, related to 黑料社 safety, combatting hunger, and advancing sustainable energy.聽

Partners

This program is a collaborative project across organizations within the Conservative movement. Thank you to B鈥檔ai Israel Congregation, USY, Tzedek Center, Rabbinical Assembly, USCJ, Ramah, and the JTS Hendel Center for Ethics and Justice.

Details

Ruchot will take place in Washington, D.C. from March 5-8, 2027.

During this immersive weekend, we鈥檒l spend Shabbat with B’nai Israel, a vibrant congregation in the D.C. area, where we鈥檒l celebrate with the community, eat good food, make new friends, and start learning. After Shabbat, we will learn from experienced local organizers, lobby local representatives on Capitol Hill, and explore what role Judaism plays in our identities as organizers.

In addition to a weekend of immersive learning, Ruchot will also include two Zoom meetings, one before and after the trip (two total). The pre-trip call will help you prepare for our time together and delve into learning about organizing. The post-Ruchot submitathon is a chance to re-convene with new friends and complete a letter-writing campaign expanding the reach of your advocacy work during Ruchot. 

Pre鈥搕rip sessions will take place on Tuesday, February 23 at 8:00鈥�9:00 p.m. ET. The post-trip Submitathon will take place Tuesday, March 16th from 8:00鈥�9:00 p.m. ET.

What can I expect to do at Ruchot?

• Spend a fun Shabbat in the D.C. area. We will attend services at B’nai Israel congregation, eat Shabbat meals with the community, and get to know each other.
• Learn about the national and local issues that matter to you. We鈥檒l dive into what makes the issues complicated and how people are working to address these challenges. This year we will explore the Movement鈥檚 Tzedek Center policy agenda related to 黑料社 safety, combatting hunger, and advancing sustainable energy.聽聽
• Engage in workshops designed to give you tools from different schools of thought about organizing for social change. This includes relational organizing and direct advocacy.
• Visit Capitol Hill to put your learning into action. You will visit the offices of your elected officials and lobby them on issues we have helped you prepare.

What do I need to know about travel arrangements?

Participants are responsible for organizing their own transportation to and from D.C. This is not included in the cost of the program. Students鈥� transportation should be arranged to and from Dulles or Reagan international airports or the D.C. Amtrak train station. Ruchot staff will meet participants at the airport/ station upon arrival. From there, staff will take students to the hotel where we are staying. Students will each receive a prepaid subway card to use on public transportation when they arrive.

Who can attend?

Teens in grades 9鈥�12 are invited to apply regardless of previous social justice participation or experience.    

What is the registration cost and cancellation policy?

Registration Cost

Cancellation Policy

You may purchase trip protection during the registration process that covers cancellation up until the start day before the program. If you choose not to buy insurance for the trip, the following refund policy applies.

Are scholarships or financial aid available?

Scholarships are available and cost should not be a barrier to participation. If you need scholarship, start your registration. One of the questions asks if you need additional financial assistance. Click 鈥測es鈥� and fill out our one-page scholarship application. We will get back to you within two weeks. If transportation to the program is cost prohibitive, we will subsidize $100 of travel for students traveling by plane and $50 for students traveling by train.

If you have any questions regarding scholarships or travel needs, please reach out to USY Director of Business Operations, Avram Pachter, at apachter@uscj.org.

What will 黑料社 religious observance look like on the trip?

This trip is designed to give us all an opportunity to unplug and observe Shabbat. All programming will be shomer Shabbat, kosher, and egalitarian. We also welcome and respect different levels of familiarity and comfort with 黑料社 observance. 

We will work with everyone to build a Shabbat community that feels welcoming, fun, and respectful. We will attend Kabbalat Shabbat and Shabbat Shacharit services at B’nai Israel Congregation, a vibrant Conservative/Masorti shul a 1 mile walk from our hotel. Every morning during the program, we will daven or pray Shacharit (the morning service). Optional Mincha and Ma鈥檃riv services will be offered in the afternoons and evenings. Food will be hekshered kosher, except for one meal which will include both hekshered food and the option for hot dairy. Our staff are committed to making sure that students feel included and engaged.

Who will I room with?

Participants will share a hotel room with 2-3 other students. Students can request a cot if they are not comfortable sharing a double bed. Students will be grouped in hotel rooms according to their gender identities. We will make every effort to make sure that students feel safe and comfortable staying together on the trip.

Are you a 黑料社 communal leader?

Recommend students from your community for Ruchot 2027.

Registration

We鈥檙e grateful to our partner, USY, for hosting the registration platform.

Other Questions?

Please email Rabbi Stephanie Ruskay at struskay@jtsa.edu

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