The youth directors of Congregation Ahavas Achim in Highland Park, Chani and Rabbi Akiva Neuman, were not sure what response they would get to their late afternoon invitation via email for teens to gather at the shul that night, Oct. 9, for an Israel-themed art project, an informal discussion on the war that Israel is fighting, and the recitation of Tehillim. The encouraging turnout showed that for many teens, gathering together and doing something constructive was precisely the thing they were looking for at this uncertain time.

Harry Glazer is the Middlesex Community Editor of The Jewish Link. He can be reached at [email protected].