Darfur Sleep-In

On Saturday night October 4th 2008, students, teachers and various speakers gathered at CJHS for the night to learn about the genocide occurring in Darfur. The evening began with a drumming circle led by Rabbi Menachem Cohen and other congregants from a drumming synagogue. Students heard from Rabbi Joshua Feigelson about the Jewish view on intervention according to the Mishnah and discussed the different levels of activism Jews are responsible for in daily life. Students went on "plan your own journey" as a refugee in Sudan, while others learned about African culture with Rabbi Barkan, watching his video of Ugandan people in their daily lives and hearing about his experience there.

A Sudanese refugee, Muhammed Abdul Rakman, spoke about the conflict and his personal experience in Sudan. Throughout the night, students made phone calls to the White House, wrote letters to representatives, made stuffed animals for refugees in Israel, and watched the movie Sand and Sorrow. The Sleep-In ended with sunrise prayer and reflections on the evening. Students described the program as "invigorating and informative," all leaving with more power to make a difference.
http://www.chicagojewishnews.com/story.htm?sid=5&i...