Moving Tradition’s Kumi Justice Retreats is a retreat-based experience for 9-12th graders from across the country to learn about social justice while building leadership skills and creating a multiracial Jewishly-diverse community of belonging. We are pleased to share our 2026-27 Kumi Justice Retreats participants.
Teen Leaders
Adam G. is a senior at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Maryland. He is passionate about engineering and playing piano. He participates in engineering and robotics club, the band for the school musical, and he also plays piano at senior living centers.
Ami E.S. is a junior at the New York City Museum School. She is vice president of her schools Black Student Union and manages volleyball, basketball, and flag football. She is passionate about reading, and in her free time either hangs out with her friends or rereads Percy Jackson.
Atara M. is a senior at Gann Academy. She attends Minyan Tehilah in Cambridge, MA, and works as an In-Gallery Educator at the Museum of Science in Boston, where she spends her Sundays talking with visitors about birds, bones, brains, and much more. At school, Atara serves as an admissions fellow, helping with admissions and school events, and is a member of this year’s prom planning committee. She loves spending shabbat with friends and family. In her free time, you can usually find her hiking, walking in nature, or curled up at home with a good book.
Rachel M. is a current junior at Cheltenham High School and a member of Mishkan Shalom in Philadelphia. She is currently a leader of her school’s volunteering and advocacy program, and an active member of debate club, the Jewish Student Union, the Black Scholars Program, and many other notable organizations. She has a current academic focus on sociology and ethics, and in her free time enjoys crafting and hanging out with friends.
Participants
Ami B. lives in Bethesda, MD. He is attending Montgomery College full time as a junior and will graduate in 2028 with an associate degree in elementary education before earning his high school diploma. Ami is the NFTY Mar social action vice president. Ami also likes to act and sing in plays through On Cue theater.
Addie H. is a junior at Girls Academic Leadership Academy. She is a member of the varsity swim team at her school and helped found a nonprofit club. She is interested in baking, art, and working with children at the Nefesh congregation where she serves as a Madricha in the Hebrew school.
Becca R. lives on Long Island, NY, and is a junior at Summit High School, Queens. Becca is part of Summit’s track team, leads a GSA club, and likes art, animation, manga/anime, and comic books.
Ciera H. is a junior at Abington Friends High School and is actively involved in the student culture. She is part of Jewish affinity group where she helps organize student lead Jewish celebrations for the school and plan exclusive trips for the members. She participates in theatre and enjoys playing on the girls lacrosse team. Ciera is most interested in history and science, and in her free time she loves to watch movies, enjoy nature, listen to music, and spend time with family.
Jessel M. is a sophomore at Chamblee High School. She runs cross country and track. She’s involved with NFTY Southern and is Junior Social Action Vice President in the youth group at Temple Sinai.
Liora A. is a rising 9th grader at Hanover High School in New Hampshire who is most excited for her English and social studies courses. She loves playing volleyball, being with friends, and learning about law and criminology.
Max C-N. is a junior at Jackson Reed High School in Washington, D.C., where he is the president of the Asian Student Union and plays soccer for the school team. He is a member of Temple Sinai in Washington, D.C., where he volunteers as a madrachim. In his spare time, he plays club soccer for an MLS NEXT team, spends time outdoors, and enjoys hanging out with his friends.
Max H. an 11th grader from Takoma Park, MD. She attends Temple Shalom, is on her youth group board, and is the Communications VP for NFTY MAR. She is highly active in Montgomery Blair High School’s theatre department with a focus in lighting. Max enjoys reading romcoms, baking, and learning ASL.
Micah K. is a junior at Montgomery Blair High School and is a member of Tiferith Israel in Washington, DC. He has worked with the Capital Area Food Bank and Shepherds Table Soup Kitchen to combat food insecurity and has advocated to improve homelessness in the DMV.
Miriam P. lives in Wallingford, PA, and is a 10th grade student at Fusion Academy in Ardmore. She loves to write (she’s currently writing a book!), create fashion sketches, and travel. She is a youth ambassador for the World Affairs Council and is always looking for new ways to amplify the voices of Jews of Color, particularly in the area of social justice. She loves to listen to music and enjoys learning new things about the people and world around her. During the summer, she works as a camp counselor for her synagogue’s preschool camp, and during the school year, she is an aide at Hebrew school. This year, Miriam participated in the TAP Program, where she learned how to support students with a range of special needs in a way that they can succeed.
Noa Z. is a sophomore at Wilsonville High School. She is a member of Havurah Shalom in Portland, OR, where she teaches Hebrew to 4th-6th graders and attends Hebrew High. An avid traveler and musician, she plays the flute, saxophone, and guitar in school and regional ensembles. She also sings, and recently toured Europe with the Oregon Ambassadors of Music. In her free time, Noa loves making music, exploring new places, and spending time with animals, especially dogs and otters.
Santiago C. is in 11th grade. He lives in Canada and is interested in art and math. This summer he enrolled in 2 architecture programs. He also just finished his first semester of Arabic.
Sophie N. is going into her junior year at Canyon Crest Academy in San Diego, CA. She enjoys various crafts including crochet, bracelet making, and embroidery, but her main hobby is singing. She is the Vice President of the Jewish Student Union at her school and is a Madricha at congregation Beth Israel, her temple, for the Sunday school classes. She is also heavily involved with the teen and youth choir at her temple.
Sophie S. is a proud upcoming senior at Osbourn Park High School in the bio medical program and a dedicated member in her local Jewish community in Northern Virginia. She teaches religious sunday school at Beth El Hebrew Congregation in Alexandria and also is the proud president of NFTY MAR! Sophie is passionate about helping others and planting deeper roots in the Jewish community.
Tova L. is a homeschooler living in Northeastern Wisconsin and a member of Moses Montefiore Synagogue where they teach religious school. They are the president of Green Apple BBYO and serve on the youth advisory boards for Fox Valley Pride and Neenah Public Library. In their free time they like to read, craft, and travel.
Yoav K. is a senior at Parkland High School and has been a devoted member of his school’s orchestra for eight years and counting. On top of his musical commitments, he enjoys photography and upcycling. Yoav is a member of Keneseth Israel in Allentown, PA, and while he is not a member of any related organizations, he is very active in his community whether he’s playing music, spreading awareness for local issues, or supporting small businesses or bands.