Top left to right: Nolan Valdivia, Yarden Crane, Aviva Feder. Bottom: Sheldon Schwartz and Thelma Bronet. (Courtesy Devra C. Aarons/Contra Costa Midrasha)
Top left to right: Nolan Valdivia, Yarden Crane, Aviva Feder. Bottom: Sheldon Schwartz and Thelma Bronet. (Courtesy Devra C. Aarons/Contra Costa Midrasha)

Welcome to “Bina: A Better Together Podcast,” created by the students and staff of Contra Costa Midrasha and sponsored by J.

This series brings Jewish teens and elders together to share stories, ask honest questions and learn from one another. Through personal stories and shared reflection, Bina empowers kids to learn from seniors and explore their wisdom through a younger perspective. These are warm, thoughtful conversations about memory, tradition, growth and what it means to shape the future together.  

In this episode, Nolan Valdivia, 16, Yarden Crane, 17, and Aviva Feder, 16, talked to Sheldon Schwartz, 89, and Thelma Bronet, 82, about Jewish identity, growing up with antisemitism and how to take risks.

“I would say you don’t have to have your life figured out at 17 or even at 70,” said Bronet. “It’s kind of like taking a hike. It’s a winding road and life can change and throw you curves. So one of my big things is: Don’t worry that you don’t have things figured out yet.”

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Contra Costa Midrasha is a place for Jewish teens to relax, hang out with friends, learn new things and make a difference in a Jewish environment. A supplementary program for Jewish teens in grades 8–12 in Contra Costa County, it meets weekly in Walnut Creek and holds three retreat weekends each year.