As part of tikkun olam (social justice) projects this summer movement members wrote letters to politicians and CEO's of corporations (see examples). Chanichim and Madrichim demanded efforts to achieve peace from their elected representatives and pleaded for an end to sweatshops from clothing manufacturers.
Above is a picture of the Bonim from Machaneh Na'aleh. They spent time in Milford, PA (the closest town to camp) raising awareness about sweatshops. They chalked the sidewalk with facts about NIKE labour practices, handed out informative leaflets, and had a bit of ice cream to cool off.
Dear Mr. Phil Knight, I am a 10 year old from NY and I am concerned about your use of sweatshops. I think it's really mean that you use children to make your shoes and they get very little wages which is really mean. And people have rights just like you and you should not [fire] people if they go on strikes.
Sincerely,
Ilan Benattar
Senator Clinton, My name is Aaron Marden. I am a 14 year old boy who lives in Long Island, N.Y. I am writing to you concerning the conflict that is currently happening in Israel. I feel I need to write to you because I wish for the U.S. Senate to pressure President Bush, to push both countries to have peace talks. I wish for you to help other Senators to realize the horror of what is happening to both the Israeli and Palestinian people. I beg of you to find a way to get the U.S. government involved because now both the Israeli and Palestinian people need peace.
Aaron Marden
Dear President Bush, There is a war going on in Israel/Palestine. People are dying, and I think something should be done about it. As a Jew, I understand that the Jewish people need a homeland. However, I also understand that the Palestinians need one also. I hope that you can talk to the different parties and help them compromise. I strongly hope that someday in the near future Jewish and Arabs can all live in Israel and all share the land together. I would greatly appreciate it if you would write back.
