“…a man must determine what he is aiming for and how to best achieve this- in all his labors, throughout his lifetime.”
- Mesilat Yesharim/The Path of the Just
In life, success cannot be achieved until a person has clearly established what his or her goal is, and possess sufficient determination to see it through to its completion. I feel that I recognize the importance of such a statement, and try to abide by it in all areas of my life.
Organization: NCSY
What role has Israel played in my life?
Israel has played a major role in helping to develop my personal identity as a Jew. Although growing up I had been told countless stories from the bible, and of the heroic efforts in the wars that defined Israel as the country it is today, I still felt as if I was studying a culture that was far removed from pertinent relevancy in my life; almost a world away.
The first spark that began my genuine connection came during a year I spent there, in Yeshiva. Once surrounded by the environment itself, I began to appreciate just how intertwined Israel was with my Jewish Identity. With every step I took (literally, in my many trips, and figuratively, in my own growth) I felt as if I was being led by the millions of Jewish people from the stories of my youth. These unique experiences strengthened and solidified the ties I felt to my Jewish heritage.
I began to see the different locations in Israel as crucial sites that were imperative to our nation’s development; a perspective that could have only been gleaned from being inside Israel itself. These sites were more than your mere Disneyland tourist-traps; they were islands of history that helped shape our present day definition of what it means to be Jewish. My life aspirations were determined, if not inspired, by my journeys in Israel, for as my travels increased, so did my understanding of who I was as a Jewish leader.
My role model...
The educator who I feel made a momentous impact on my life was Rabbi Glenn Black, of NCSY Canada. Through his lessons, Judaism became a main part of my life. He taught that no matter what level of observance a person is at, he should be forever striving for even more personal growth. It was through his guidance that I decided I wanted to pursue a career in Jewish Education, and to give to others the same chance to experience the satisfaction of fulfilling potential.
If I could paint the education landscape...
To create an educational Jewish Landscape, I would encourage implementing more informal programming. I have found in my experience that many teens respond differently to informal education over the typical classroom setting, where Judaism is viewed simply as any other ordinary subject. This helps a person to internalize Judaism, and makes it a relevant part of their daily lives. Such programs could focus on leadership lessons derived from past Jewish leaders, and applied to or times. These lessons would cumulate in a trip to Israel, which could then be accompanied by follow-up sessions, the goal of which would be to focus on keeping the momentum of the Israel experience constantly significant.
What I am most excited for when working on the Project InCite fellowship is to closely work with motivated individuals who share the same passion for Jewish education as I do.
No comments:
Post a Comment