The tron was dimly lit as we gathered around the glow of candles and songleaders. We had just ended our adrenaline fueled day of color wars and the satisfied smiles of campers began to find their space on the ruach-worn wooden floor. A form of acoustic evening services began and progressed with a beautifully relaxed mood. We arrived at the Shema. The group began in whispered tones and repeated the prayer, growing in volume after every round.
Tag Archives | Generational Leadership
Regional Board All Camp Program: What Living NFTY Means for Kutz Teens
It is certainly fair to say that the days leading up to the Regional Board Leadership Track’s program on Living NFTY were filled with stress, nerves, and excitement, but none of that seemed to matter as our entire community came together after Havdallah to learn, examine, and discuss the five “Living NFTY” initiatives, as well as our values as Reform Jewish teens. From the beginning, the idea of having 28 opinionated minds working on one program was daunting, but in the end, the plethora of abilities, knowledge, and talents worked together to create one amazing evening.
Participant Perspectives: Jodie Friedman on Returning to Kutz for a Second Summer
As a returning camper, I’ve seen two completely different groups of teenagers interact here at the Kutz Camp. After my first summer I thought about how much fun I had, but didn’t plan on coming back. I told myself, “What else could you possibly learn? You already walked away with a two-inch binder full of information to bring back to your region and TYG. Going to camp again would be useless”. But halfway through the year, I began to see how Kutz shaped me.
A New Case of Warwick Withdrawal
After serving this summer at Kutz as Visiting Faculty and, simultaneously, as a Staff Husband, I got home Sunday, arriving at an empty house. There were no guitars available for an impromptu song session (it’s okay, I don’t play anyway); no recycled program materials citing Jewish text, leadership dynamics or random quotes; and none of the ruach that has characterized the last month spent, though intermittently, in Warwick.
Regional Board Major Spotlight: Living NFTY
It’s almost 11pm here at the URJ Kutz Camp, and I’ve just gotten back from cleaning up after the evening program. Tonight’s was put on by the Regional Board major, a group made up of rising seniors from across NFTY who were elected in their home NFTY regions to lead their teenage peers during this coming school year. The program revolved around a project that NFTY has been working on for two years now, called “Living NFTY.”
Shabbat Weekly Message
This is always my favorite Shabbat of camp. Not simply because of the depth of the community, the beauty in this place, or that it’s the last one we’ll celebrate together, although those are also very meaningful to me. This weekend we live and learn from Parashah Pinchas, the Torah portion I read thirty years ago this weekend at my Bat Mitzvah, and the cornerstone of our own philosophical model here at Kutz, called Generational Leadership.
Songleading Major Spotlight: Building Community, Leadership Skills, and Confidence
Over the past three weeks, thirty-six teen songleaders from around the country have come together to learn and practice the craft of songleading. From the very first days of our major, we teach our students to see music as a means, and not just an end. While the music we sing at camp and in our synagogues can be fun for its own sake, it is even more powerful when we use it as a means to engage our community, build a stronger world, and foster a strong sense of Jewish identity one person at a time.
Why I’m Here: Purpose, Flow, and the Next Fortune 500 CEO
In my Minor today, we spoke about the concept of flow. You’ve experienced flow. I guarantee it. It’s that feeling you get when you are so enthralled in something that you lose track of time. Nothing else matters but the task at hand because you’re so focused and interested in what you are doing. Overall happiness is unequivocally tied to the amount of flow you experience in your day to day life. People who are in flow more often are more productive, more focused, more driven, and most importantly, happier.
Temple Youth Group Leadership Major Spotlight: Setting Goals, Being a Role Model, and Learning from Those Around Us
The TYG (Temple Youth Group) Leadership Major has been striving to become better leaders in order to build a stronger community this summer at the URJ Kutz Camp. Because this has been our long term summer goal, we have specifically focused our learning and actions on building community, not breaking it down.
Avodah Fun Day: Site Team During Trip Day
By Mara Price, Head of Avodah Personnel July 7, 2011 was a great day for all. Participants, Resident Advisors and major teachers headed into New York City to enjoy a day of touring and Broadway shows while site staff remained on camp. For site staff, this day was Avodah Fun Day. Every year during trip day, the site team at Kutz utilizes the empty spaces on camp in order to get some much needed extra cleaning done as well as finish an extra-special project. This year, the 20 Avodanikim swept, mopped, mulched, and built the beginnings of our first low [...]
The Impact of Kutz: Why I Chose to Come Back Home to Camp
Last night, after a fantastic Mexican meal thanks to the culinary revolution, I lingered at the table with a second year participant. As we were talking about the differences between our first and second years at camp, I started to wonder why I came back as a resident advisor in the first place. Why did I come back to camp while most of my peers are spending their time working in research laboratories or at internships?
Look to the Rock from Which You Were Hewn: Shabbat Chukat and First Shabbat at Kutz
Simu Elai Rodfei Tzedek- listen to me you who pursue justice- U’mevakshei Adonai- you who seek the Eternal. He’ebitu el tzur hutzavtem v’el makevet bor nukartem- look to the rock from which you were hewn to the quarry out of which you were dug.
Why Kutz is My New Home: NFTY RCVP, Austin Zoot, Reflects on What Kutz Means to Him
I have never been a camper at Kutz. I always thought it was a beautiful place, but never thought any more of it. However, after two weeks at the Kutz Camp, I have quickly realized just how much this place has become a home for me.
NFTY Life Membership Awards
The NFTY General Board is honored to recognize Robin Hirsch, Anna Blumenfeld, and Scott Hertz with NFTY Life Membership.
NFTY Presidents’ Awards 5771
I am honored to present five awards today, to people who have inspired me through their belief in, dedication to, and love for the NFTY community and all that it represents.
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