The youth weekend retreat in Baltimore that combined social, spiritual, and community action activities for members of Temple Emanuel's Youth Group last November won the Irving J. Fain Award from the Religious Action Center of the Union for Reform Judaism. Rabbi Geri Newburge, assistant rabbi of Temple Emanuel, accepted the Fain Award at the RAC's Consultation on Conscience program last month in Washington.

Shown in the photo (from left): Rabbi David Saperstein, director and counsel for the Religious Action Center; Rabbi Newburge; Jane Wishner, chairperson, Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism; and Rabbi Marla Feldman, director of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism.

The award is named in honor of the late Irving J. Fain, who was Chair of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism for more than a decade.

In its citation, the Reform Action Center said "Temple Emanuel’s youth program is modeled after the college Alternative Spring Break. Held in November when schools were closed for an annual teachers’ convention, Temple Emanuel exposed students to the effects of poverty through a volunteer program in Baltimore, MD. Participants volunteered in three agencies including a soup kitchen, a food bank and a transitional homeless shelter. After returning, they dedicated themselves to educating others in the congregation about the shared responsibility to work for social and economic justice."

Hear more about the youth program in a special podcast interview with Rabbi Newburge.

Click Here to go to the application for the Alternative Break.