Young Judaea Teens Bring Green Light to New Jersey

A community’s strength is perhaps best tested by tragedy. In the wake of a disaster, neighbors come together through an understanding born of shared experience and lean on each other for support and aid. In the face of hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, we prove ourselves stronger and more resilient than we ever thought possible. And from the wreckage come the most beautiful and heartwarming stories of people putting aside differences to pull each other up.

Relief can come in a number of ways and take on different forms. On Sunday, April 21st, 6 months since Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on the east coast, fifteen teens went into the town of Union Beach, NJ armed with a lot of compassion for their neighbors and a few energy efficient light bulbs. Their group, called Project Reduce Young Judaea, was founded by two girls who had traveled to New Orleans as part of Young Judaea’s Alternative Winter Break Program to help with Hurricane Katrina relief. Every year, Young Judaea teens spend several days volunteering with Green Light New Orleans. Shelby Lipson and Anna Horowitz received a “Sustain the Change” microgrant to bring their experience installing CFLs back to New Jersey. They were able to install 200 CFLs for 15 residents impacted by Hurricane Sandy, and 100 more were donated to the Hurricane Sandy Relief Center in Union beach.

As the climate warms, the frequency and severity of natural disasters will increase, a fact that in recent years has made itself known with frightening regularity. We can only hope that the efforts of these compassionate teens are echoed by countless others in the wake of similar disasters. Let them be an inspiration to all of us!

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