Ethan Gertzman

This summer in Hadracha, a lot of our focus has been on our Tikkun Groups. The goal of our tikkun groups is simple; we each pick an issue in the US, Israel, or even the world, and we figure out how we can fix it or aid it as a country, a community, or as individuals. Once we picked the issue that interested us most, we spent a lot of time researching the topic and what we can do to help it. After research and preparation, we travel to Washington D.C. to advocate for our chosen issues. We all will meet with a multitude of either Senators, members of the House of Representatives, or executives from major organizations involving our topic.

My entire experience with Tikkun Groups has been amazing, inspiring, and changed my outlook on the world and my topic. My Tikkun Group’s focus is on aiding the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual) youth community. My part in our Tikkun Group was to focus on the Political Activism aspect of advocating for the LGBT community. It’s our job to advocate for equality for all, and to do all that we can to make sure that people are not discriminated against based on their sexual orientation. Through all of the research and work that we’ve done, I have grown to feel very passionate on this topic, and thanks to Tel Yehudah, I can make a difference in this world. This Monday, we leave for Washington and we are meeting with 3 congressmen and representatives from the Human Rights Campaign and the Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network (GLSEN). Through the work that we’ve done, I know so much more about my topic and am ecstatic that I have this amazing opportunity ahead of me. I’m confident that I can do my job to advocate for equality for all, and truly change the world.