It was April 13, 2014. The air was unusually stale that Sunday, low-hanging clouds darkening the sky, making the humid midday hour seem later than it was.
Mama was in the kitchen preparing for the upcoming Passover seder. I heard a gasp and, fearing she had knocked over the matzo ball soup, ran to check. Soup safe, I noticed her ashen face and asked, “What happened?” No response.
The next voice I heard was from a local news anchor: There had been a shooting at our Jewish Community Center. The perpetrator: a white supremacist; the victims: the son and father of a family friend — plus another victim at Village Shalom. In answer to such a hateful act, in 2015, SevenDays was born — designed solely to spread kindness and interfaith understanding.
Not willing to let bigotry silence me with fear, I was drawn to SevenDays. Early on, I worked on teen programming, such as an interfaith workshop designed to teach about other faith traditions, which drew approximately 100 youth. Later, the Kindness Youth Leadership Team (KYLT) was formally established. Naturally, I applied.
High school students from throughout the Kansas City metro comprise the team.Though we come from different backgrounds, geographies, experiences, and faith traditions, we are collectively interested in making our world a better place. Together, we seek to generate ripples of kindness throughout the community.
And, we have a lot of fun doing so! Plus, as Judaism compels us to engage in Tikkun Olam — to repair the world — I feel a deep sense of responsibility to contribute in this way. It’s no wonder that, in addition to myself, several other KYLT ambassadors, namely Caroline Haines, Kate Levinson, Emma Sandler and Zoe Sher, identify as Jewish.
Through monthly meetings, planning committees, service projects and other activities, ambassadors have access to adult mentorship and have the opportunity to help shape SevenDays experiences during the year. I am especially proud to have helped organize our annual Kindness Walks, bringing together thousands of participants each year, for which I worked with my adult mentors, Bill Bergersen and Dave Stine, and was responsible for course mapping and logistics.
Plus, this year, in partnership with my adult mentor, Len Losen, I had the fun responsibility of selecting our official Kindness Walk t-shirt and face mask! All registrants will receive one of each. It feels great knowing that I am playing a role in bringing together our community.
My involvement in SevenDays and, specifically, my role as a KYLT ambassador, has educated me about the perspectives and experiences of others, and helped me establish friendships with people different from myself.
It’s been a privilege to have access to and be able to share SevenDays tools, resources and experiences with friends, family, classmates and others. I’ve come to understand the importance of promoting social justice and believe that change is possible when people come together.
Ian Hammer, 17, is a senior at Blue Valley West High School. He is the son of Alana Muller and Marc Hammer and is a member of Congregation Beth Shalom.
