Home
Women of Reform Judaism: Shaping the Culture of Kutz and NFTY

Women of Reform Judaism: Shaping the Culture of Kutz and NFTY

on May 18, 2012

It was just a year ago when I had the opportunity to be part of the listening campaign of the Campaign for Youth Engagement with the WRJ District Presidents during their annual retreat to Kutz Camp. Last year these women shared their unique and powerful stories about a time when an interaction with a young person influenced their lives.

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

Torah From Around the World

on May 17, 2012

To me Hebrew was this special secret language saved for when you were praying to God, kind of like Yiddish which was a special secret language saved for when I was getting in trouble. Ironically now that I live in Jerusalem – when I hear Yiddish it still means that I am in trouble. But back to being 13 and chanting in Hebrew, I remember the pride in mastering Hebrew and… the disconnect.

Read full story • Comments { 0 }
Finding God Through Sports

Finding God Through Sports

on May 15, 2012

As you read Maura’s essay, think of your own children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and all the kids in your Religious Schools. Have they had this experience? How would they relate their Jewish lives to daily experiences? Would playing Lacrosse or basketball connect them with God? When our kids play Little League at home, do they learn that compassion and humility are as important as courage and determination?

Read full story • Comments { 0 }
Camp Coleman Connects With Gilad Shalit

Camp Coleman Connects With Gilad Shalit

on May 15, 2012

Last week I was in Israel attending the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Summer Staff Seminar. I was asked to present a D’var Torah, and I chose to relate the Parsha to everything that we have done at Coleman over the past five years to advocate for the release of Gilad Shalit who was returned to his family last fall after being held for 5 years in captivity by Hamas. Ironically, just 3 days later, I was surprised and amazed to find myself visiting with Gilad in an apartment in Tel Aviv.

Read full story • Comments { 0 }
Connections in Israel

Connections in Israel

on May 10, 2012

URJ Camp Harlam Director Aaron Selkow “really likes Israel”, to be sure. But as he explained to a group of 20-something Israelis that were about to embark on a momentous journey to the United States to join the North American Jewish camp culture, it was for a very specific reason. It was because of them.

Read full story • Comments { 0 }