In these types of programs, the words “community” and “safe-zone” get thrown around a lot; however, in our humble home of 554 at the Brent House Hotel, self-consciousness was not in our vocabulary. Because of this, we looked at every task openly and reserved our complaining for mealtime. That doesn’t necessarily mean we were excited by every task, but we were willing to try.
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Southern Jewish Life 101
In the Torah portion of the week we were in Birmingham, we read about Balak and how when an obstacle is in your way, it might be there for a reason. Prejudice in the South has, in my opinion, made that community stronger. The people there have had to deal with hate and hardship, and have continued to survive. Birmingham has changed since the time of Martin Luther King Jr., and while prejudice may still exist, we have the strength to overcome it.
Where We Came From, and Where We’re Going
This week, Mitzvah Corps of the South participants met in small groups to share out some of their feelings about their MCS experience thus far. Below is a sneak peek at some of our group’s responses.
The Power of People
On the 8th, when I return home, I’ll certainly look at my house with new vision. I’ll see every hinge screwed in and know that someone somewhere had to mount that door. In the morning when I take out a bowl for cereal, I’ll be reminded that it took manpower to assemble and mount each cabinet.
A Taste of the South
All in all the day was nothing short of a success, each of us able to get that taste of New Orleans that we have all yearned for. Days like that one just make you wonder what else the South has in store for us.
New Orleans, San Francisco, and New Jersey, oh my!
Although this summer is my last summer that I am able to participate in Mitzvah Corps, I promise anyone reading this right now: my work is not done.
Finding Our Purpose in Helping Others
I have thought a lot about the give-and-take of performing tikkun olam and our responsibility as Jews to help repair. While helping others in need, we oftentimes feel closer to finding our own purpose in our community and, even greater, in the world.
Stepping Back and Letting Mitzvah Corps Shine
I move from hearing about the staff’s excitement and enthusiasm to actually feeling their energy. And these three days lead into what is the most challenging, and yet most fulfilling, part of my job: stepping back and letting it all happen.
The Secret About NFTY’s Mitzvah Corps
Living Judaism within a Jewish environment is easy. It’s understanding how to live Judaism in the rest of the world that’s hard. And that’s exactly what we’re teaching our Mitzvah Corps participants how to do.
Post-Summer Reflections… MCS
by Andrew Paull Mitzvah Corps of the South, Student Life Coordinator With the High Holy Days come and gone, and the New Year now fully underway, recalling your experiences of the past summer may be a challenge, unless your summer was an experience where you learned lifelong skills, made friends from all over the country and helped repair the world. For two weeks this summer, that was my experience on Mitzvah Corps of the South. For two weeks in June and July, serving as the Student Life Coordinator, I had the privilege to work with 26 teens and two fellow [...]
