J-Serve, a day where Jewish teens from around the world come together to serve their communities, is getting a lot bigger in Louisville. The annual event will take place on March 13 from 2-6 p.m. But this year, the event is expanding beyond the Jewish community and reaching out to younger members of the tribe as well.
During the traditional J-Serve program, Jewish teens will gather with members of PACT in Action at the Muhammad Ali Center to learn about healthy relationships. PACT brings together typically African-American youths from the Parkhill, Algonquin and California neighborhoods in Louisville.
The day of learning is themed around Love is Respect. “After focusing J-Serve around homelessness and anti-poverty for the last few years, the Louisville J-Serve teen coordinating committee decided to focus on an issue that affects them and their peers” said Mike Steklof, Assistant Director of Youth Services. He added that “the coordinating committee was excited to find a youth led organization in Louisville that focuses on Love and Respect and they have enjoyed getting to know the group during the past year”.
The event will feature lectures and activities lead by counselors and teens. J-Serve is supported in part by KentuckyOne Health. To register for this free event, visit www.jewishlouisville.org/jserve2016.
Also new this year, J-Serve is reaching out to younger Jewish youths by creating a Little Free Library to benefit our community on March 6. PJ Library and Shalom Baby participants are asked to start painting at 10 a.m. PJ Our Way and Kadima children can help build and paint the library at 1 p.m. Pizza will be served after Sunday School.
Little Free Libraries are a place for the community to share books with everyone who likes to read. These library boxes are typically left outside in public spaces. Everyone is invited to look at any of the books in the library and take one home. But in return, you are asked to leave a book for others to take as well. There are now more than 36,000 Little Free Libraries around the world, including more than 20 in Louisville.
This portion of the J-Serve event is free for everyone, but be sure to wear clothes that can get messy! This event is supported by NCJW.
