Sponsored by the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta's (MJCCA) Volunteer/Community Services department, 18 Atlanta-area high school students traveled to Cuba in April to serve as Atlanta teen Passover ambassadors and experience what it is like to live as a Jewish teenager in Cuba. The Atlanta teens brought humanitarian aid such as medicines and school supplies, as well as gifts they created for their Cuban hosts, including a scrapbook about themselves, their families, and their lives in Atlanta, and a colorful new Haggadah in Spanish, Hebrew, and English. During their visit, the teens participated in various programs, including a Passover Seder and a teen-friendly Haggadah service.

Participants included Max Buckner, Emily Burrows, Mike Byrum, Aaron Chaiken, Jason Gumer, Liora Herman, Leah Jacobson, Adam Kaufman, Mark Krotov, Alison Lewis, Andrea Lindemann, Madeline Marano, Mitchell Port, Jerry Tracy, Frank Wasser, Robin Wertheim, Andrew Wien and Zachary Wolf.

Adults also have an opportunity to travel to Cuba with the MJCCA. The International Community Builders (ICB) project addresses critical needs in international Jewish communities including building, education and distribution of necessities. On the first ICB trip to the Cuban Jewish community, MJCCA volunteers brought over $350,000 in humanitarian aid; the second ICB trip delivered more than $1 million in aid. The next ICB trip to Cuba will take place June 15 - 23, 2003. Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

The MJCCA provides a multitude of opportunities to participate in projects benefiting the Jewish and secular communities locally, nationally and internationally. Help the MJCCA use its strength to support those in need and touch the lives of many. To get involved or make a donation, contact Shaindle Schmuckler, (770) 395-2540, Shaindle.Schmuckler@atlantajcc.org.

The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta is one of Federation's local beneficiary agencies. The MJCCA received an allocation of $1,432,842 in FY03.