Teenagers guided by our shared Jewish values can make the extraordinary happen. With support from JFEDLA’s Julie Beren Platt Teen Innovation Grant (TIG), Santa Monica High School students Sadie Gryczman and Rana Kurt created Brighter Together, a children’s book that shows how the values of friendship and compassion can bring people of different backgrounds closer together.
Distressed by the events of October 7, 2023, and the divisions that followed, Sadie and Rana felt a calling to take action. Together, they applied for TIG, pitching the idea of a Jewish star and a Muslim crescent who discover that differences can build stronger friendships. As the two characters learn about each other’s traditions — Shabbat and Eid — they find that their light shines brighter the more they honor and celebrate one another. Through their creativity, Sadie and Rana are helping the next generation transform fear into trust and division into community.
TIG provided Sadie and Rana with seed funding to bring their book to life, as well as mentorship from Harmony Richman, who offered encouragement and guidance every step of the way. Already, Brighter Together is sparking meaningful conversations in schools and community spaces, encouraging children and parents alike to embrace empathy. And this is just the beginning. Sadie and Rana are working to translate the book into Hebrew and Arabic and plan to share it in classrooms, mosques, synagogues, and interfaith events.
Through TIG, JFEDLA helps teens turn their innovation and courage into projects that strengthen our community. Sadie and Rana’s story confirms that when we trust the next generation to lead, they can light the way to a more compassionate world.
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Read more stories about how we’re putting the values of friendship and compassion in action, by signing up for our mailing list. Also, check out this story in the Santa Monica Daily Press about the success of Brighter Together.
