Over the years, Highland Park has embraced its tradition of inclusivity and acceptance by welcoming more identity and affinity groups to the school. Although the Jewish Student Union, or JSU, joined this collection of clubs a few years ago, it recently surged in popularity.
Student leaders Evelyn Springer and Rory Gibney-Krashen describe the JSU as “a club centered around Jewish empowerment and identity.” The HPHS JSU belongs to a larger network of clubs coordinated by the NCSY, or National Conference of Synagogue Youth. According to the NCSY’s website, the organization’s mission is to “connect, inspire and empower Jewish teens and encourage passionate Judaism through Torah and Tradition.” This connection means that outside advisors come to the high school to run the JSU along with students such as Evelyn and Rory.
With seven synagogues in an area of 1.83 square miles, Highland Park boasts a large population of Jewish residents. A high percentage of Jewish students in the town maintain ties to their culture and religion by attending Jewish private schools. Rabbi Shmuel Greene’s creation of the JSU chapter in the public school offered an additional connection between the local Jewish community and those who opt for a secular education.
Every week, Shaina and Tzvi Berke, directors of the Central New Jersey chapters of NCSY, come to HPHS to teach JSU members about a particular aspect of Judaism, including upcoming holidays and traditions. Evelyn and Rory reflected on recent activities such as making kosher graham crackers for Sukkot and making tzedakah (charity) boxes.
This year in particular, JSU events have drawn numerous Jewish and non-Jewish students alike. “The amount of people coming is different [than in previous years],” Rory explains. “We have a lot more out-of-school activities that we do like ice cream and chill, and sometimes we go to SkyZone and things like that.”
“The goals of JSU include making a safe space for Jewish teens in a time when, more than ever, public school Jewish teens are struggling to find their identity,” Evelyn and Rory provide. “JSU is open to anyone and everyone!”
If you are interested in learning more about the JSU, visit Ms. Wilson’s room on Mondays at lunch, or check out @highlandparkjsu on Instagram.