R.I. teens learn about advocacy during seminars in D.C.

During the weekend of Jan. 19-22, five of Temple Beth-El’s teens traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the L’taken Social Justice Seminars.

The program, run through the Union for Reform Judaism’s Religious Action Center, is designed to introduce high school students to the legislative process, to turn narrative into action and to voice opinions to change-makers in our nation’s capital.

The teens learned about issues facing our world, including disability rights, gun-violence prevention and environmental justice. They wrote speeches and presented them to chiefs of staff, advisers, counsel and legislative staff in the offices of R.I. Rep. Gabe Amo and R.I. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse.

The high school students spoke truth to power, with the aim of trying to convince our elected officials to co-sponsor a bill that would help ease the burden of climate change, including better support for municipalities dealing with some of the most severe impacts.

Participants returned to Rhode Island with incredible memories and a refreshed zeal to continue their advocacy locally and nationally. Get ready to see their impact now and as future leaders!

CARL SHULMAN is the assistant director of Youth & Family Engagement at Temple Beth-El, in Providence.