With the second weekend of my travel experience, I went to Boston, Massachusetts for the Coalition on Jewish Teen Leadership. This group was a collection of the leadership of the leading youth groups in Jewish America. NFTY, BBYO, and Young Judea were present, while USY and NCSY were unable to join us, but still hold a place in the think tank.
During the time we spent together, the six NFTYites who were present got the chance to talk to the 8 BBYO representatives and 1 Young Judean as to the customs and traditions associated with their group, the way that they do things, and what makes each group a unique experience.
Over the course of the weekend, there were several opportunities to push the way in which I, as a NFTY leader, thought about my organization as well as the others. I would not say by any means that this was a “fun” weekend; I did have plenty of fun, but what really happened was we tackled big issues that face our organizations and attempted to figure out how we can work together to improve the future of Judaism.
What I found most incredible was the discussion of the possible footprint that the five major youth groups cover. We have the potential to touch the lives of as many as 100,000 Jewish teenagers if we can reach our maximum outreach. That number is incredible. As someone who went to a high school with plenty of Jews, many of whom were unaffiliated with a youth group or even a Jewish style of living, I see this group coming together to improve the opportunities of Jews all across the country and globe to become active in their Judaism, and to be excited to participate.
This next week is my travel region to NFTY Northwest. Check back for an update!
With the second weekend of my travel experience, I went to Boston, Massachusetts for the Coalition on Jewish Teen Leadership. This group was a collection of the leadership of the leading youth groups in Jewish America. NFTY, BBYO, and Young Judea were present, while USY and NCSY were unable to join us, but still hold a place in the think tank.
During the time we spent together, the six NFTYites who were present got the chance to talk to the 8 BBYO representatives and 1 Young Judean as to the customs and traditions associated with their group, the way that they do things, and what makes each group a unique experience.
Over the course of the weekend, there were several opportunities to push the way in which I, as a NFTY leader, thought about my organization as well as the others. I would not say by any means that this was a “fun” weekend; I did have plenty of fun, but what really happened was we tackled big issues that face our organizations and attempted to figure out how we can work together to improve the future of Judaism.
What I found most incredible was the discussion of the possible footprint that the five major youth groups cover. We have the potential to touch the lives of as many as 100,000 Jewish teenagers if we can reach our maximum outreach. That number is incredible. As someone who went to a high school with plenty of Jews, many of whom were unaffiliated with a youth group or even a Jewish style of living, I see this group coming together to improve the opportunities of Jews all across the country and globe to become active in their Judaism, and to be excited to participate.
This next week is my travel region to NFTY Northwest. Check back for an update!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Trip 1: HUC
Over the weekend, week one of my month of adventures, I was a participant at the Hebrew Union College, Jewish Institute of Religion retreat for college students. I was able to go and experience programming alongside almost 20 other participants who were all very interested in pursuing lives of Jewish adulthood.
Throughout the weekend, there were several opportunities to get a glimpse of what Rabbinic school looks like, what is expected, and the excitement that is associated with being a leader within the Jewish clergy system. I was filled with pride knowing that most of the Rabbis that had had an influence on my Jewish education had all passed through this program.
One of the most meaningful elements of the trip was when we visited the Plum Street Synagogue, where the Rabbinic students walk up one flight of stairs to the bima, and walk down the other side as official Rabbis. The experience of seeing this beautiful, holy location really affected me, because I hope to one day make that trip.
When the trip was all said and done, I was very thankful that HUC had given me the option to participate. The experience was exceptional, because it was an opportunity for me to get together with like-minded individuals from colleges all across the country, who were interested in exploring elements of their faith, just as I was.
Additionally, the opportunity to experience the college and learn a little bit more about what it means to be a Rabbinic student made the whole thing a little more real, and a little more accessible. This also showed me just how important it is for me to continue my education, and gave me an academic goal to strive for.
Now that I am back at Indiana Unviersity, I am all the more excited to get deep into my Jewish Studies education. I have the chance to get myself off on the right foot, and I look forward to the chance to get an undergraduate education that will allow me to pursue my life goals in a beneficial and holy way.
Throughout the weekend, there were several opportunities to get a glimpse of what Rabbinic school looks like, what is expected, and the excitement that is associated with being a leader within the Jewish clergy system. I was filled with pride knowing that most of the Rabbis that had had an influence on my Jewish education had all passed through this program.
One of the most meaningful elements of the trip was when we visited the Plum Street Synagogue, where the Rabbinic students walk up one flight of stairs to the bima, and walk down the other side as official Rabbis. The experience of seeing this beautiful, holy location really affected me, because I hope to one day make that trip.
When the trip was all said and done, I was very thankful that HUC had given me the option to participate. The experience was exceptional, because it was an opportunity for me to get together with like-minded individuals from colleges all across the country, who were interested in exploring elements of their faith, just as I was.
Additionally, the opportunity to experience the college and learn a little bit more about what it means to be a Rabbinic student made the whole thing a little more real, and a little more accessible. This also showed me just how important it is for me to continue my education, and gave me an academic goal to strive for.
Now that I am back at Indiana Unviersity, I am all the more excited to get deep into my Jewish Studies education. I have the chance to get myself off on the right foot, and I look forward to the chance to get an undergraduate education that will allow me to pursue my life goals in a beneficial and holy way.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Stronger, better, smarter
As a college student, I can often get carried away into a routine. I get lost in a rut and feel as though I have to go about my days the same way every week. Thank goodness for the month of November, because I am going to have a major shakeup.
During the month of November, I am getting the chance to travel across the country and see four different major cities in four different weekends. I’m traveling first to Cincinnati, then to Boston, Seattle and finally home to Chicago. Almost all of this is to be done for my work with NFTY, which just is another reason that I thank God that I have another year.
The chance to travel is one that not many college students get to have as often as I am about to do it. I, therefore, want to be able to share my experience of getting to see different parts of the country, so I will be blogging each week about my experience at the last place. This will start this coming week, after I travel to Cincinnati for a Hebrew Union College retreat.
I am currently getting the chance to study at a Big Ten University that offers so many classes that I can pretty much study any subject in the world that I could ever dream of wanting to learn. The biggest way in which I am learning, though, is very much not in the classroom. I am learning how the real world works, how to interact with others, how to live a life on my own. With all of this learning, I am getting an incredible opportunity to grow into the person I hope to be in my life, and, in some ways, make mistakes, learn from them, and change. Having the opportunity to do some extra-curricular travel is just one of the many ways in which I intend on studying well beyond the boundaries of the classroom. I am going to get the chance to learn from those who I travel with, those who are sharing different lifestyles and experiences from myself. I am excited to be able to do this, and to embark on something new, exciting, and fun.
I’m trying to get stronger. That is the bottom line. In everything I do, I am trying to get stronger in some form or another. Right now, I am focusing on three major areas: physical, mental, and psychological.
To get stronger physically, I have been working harder in the gym than ever before. Let me amend that statement: I’ve been working in the gym. I have been going almost every day, and really have a focus on eating better, working harder, and developing a better sense of general health.
To get stronger mentally, I am pushing myself in all different academic fields. I am dedicating more time to my classwork, reading more behind the scenes, and overall simply trying to push my thinking to a whole new level. I want to soak up as much information as possible during this time, because I have the resources to do well, so why not get as much from it as possible.
To get stronger psychologically, I am working on my interaction with others. I know that I can’t make everyone happy all the time. Instead of trying, I am working on being the best person I can be. If others like who that is, than I am succeeding. If they don’t like what I am, than I can’t worry about it. As Iong as the man I am is the one I want to be, I don’t care who else stands beside me.
I am in pursuit of a goal. The goal is to wake up every morning, look in the mirror, and like what I see. If I am hung over, I can’t like what I see, so I don’t drink. If I look in the mirror, and feel fat, I’m doing it wrong and need to get healthier. If I look in the mirror and am wondering who I see, than I need to take the time to better understand myself.
The work is not necessarily easy, but I am ready to be a good man, so I’m willing to do the work now to make it a reality.
During the month of November, I am getting the chance to travel across the country and see four different major cities in four different weekends. I’m traveling first to Cincinnati, then to Boston, Seattle and finally home to Chicago. Almost all of this is to be done for my work with NFTY, which just is another reason that I thank God that I have another year.
The chance to travel is one that not many college students get to have as often as I am about to do it. I, therefore, want to be able to share my experience of getting to see different parts of the country, so I will be blogging each week about my experience at the last place. This will start this coming week, after I travel to Cincinnati for a Hebrew Union College retreat.
I am currently getting the chance to study at a Big Ten University that offers so many classes that I can pretty much study any subject in the world that I could ever dream of wanting to learn. The biggest way in which I am learning, though, is very much not in the classroom. I am learning how the real world works, how to interact with others, how to live a life on my own. With all of this learning, I am getting an incredible opportunity to grow into the person I hope to be in my life, and, in some ways, make mistakes, learn from them, and change. Having the opportunity to do some extra-curricular travel is just one of the many ways in which I intend on studying well beyond the boundaries of the classroom. I am going to get the chance to learn from those who I travel with, those who are sharing different lifestyles and experiences from myself. I am excited to be able to do this, and to embark on something new, exciting, and fun.
I’m trying to get stronger. That is the bottom line. In everything I do, I am trying to get stronger in some form or another. Right now, I am focusing on three major areas: physical, mental, and psychological.
To get stronger physically, I have been working harder in the gym than ever before. Let me amend that statement: I’ve been working in the gym. I have been going almost every day, and really have a focus on eating better, working harder, and developing a better sense of general health.
To get stronger mentally, I am pushing myself in all different academic fields. I am dedicating more time to my classwork, reading more behind the scenes, and overall simply trying to push my thinking to a whole new level. I want to soak up as much information as possible during this time, because I have the resources to do well, so why not get as much from it as possible.
To get stronger psychologically, I am working on my interaction with others. I know that I can’t make everyone happy all the time. Instead of trying, I am working on being the best person I can be. If others like who that is, than I am succeeding. If they don’t like what I am, than I can’t worry about it. As Iong as the man I am is the one I want to be, I don’t care who else stands beside me.
I am in pursuit of a goal. The goal is to wake up every morning, look in the mirror, and like what I see. If I am hung over, I can’t like what I see, so I don’t drink. If I look in the mirror, and feel fat, I’m doing it wrong and need to get healthier. If I look in the mirror and am wondering who I see, than I need to take the time to better understand myself.
The work is not necessarily easy, but I am ready to be a good man, so I’m willing to do the work now to make it a reality.
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