Hillel Institute 2013 [Throwback Thursday]
With the current Summer Hillel Institute taking place at the moment, I figured this would be a good opportunity to share some of how I was enriched from taking part in this professional development gathering.* The clear highlights for me were attending Rabbi Daniel Smokler’s sessions. He did one withContinue Reading
Follow-Up from Our Taglit-Birthright Israel Trip Two Months Later
It’s now been two months since the Taglit-Birthright Israel I co-led returned, which is making me reflect on what’s gone on since then. We’ve gotten an entire third of our trip together twice now and I’ve also met up with several of our participants on multiple occasions. We areContinue Reading
Serving as a Judaic Educator at BBYO’s ILTC [Throwback Thursday]
In the summers of 2011 and 2012, I served for a few weeks at B’nai B’rith Youth Organization’s International Leadership Training Conference (BBYO ILTC) as one of two Judaic Educators. While I had worked as a madrich for a few summers during college at BBYO summer programs at B’nai B’rithContinue Reading
“Conversation & Cocktails” Takes Place in Orange County
Last night, I led a discussion with over a dozen young adults (20s-30s) in Costa Mesa to hear their ideas about what they are interested in doing for Jewish learning opportunities. Suggestions from participants included topics, locations, and events to do. It was a nice opportunity for them to haveContinue Reading
Re-Branding SoCal Jewish Young Adult Enrichment
A year-and-a-half ago when I was creating a new brand for reaching out to young Jews in their 20s-30s in the greater Orange County and Long Beach area, I realized that my focus was getting something out quickly. I needed an additional brand to Southern California Jewish Student Services (SoCalJSS),Continue Reading
How Am I Spending My Summer?, part 1: June 2014
A question I frequently receive is “What are you up to for the summer?” As it turns out, it is not time off. Yes, school is out, so there is no programming, per se, with university (or high school) students. However, there are occasional Shabbat dinners with Beach Hillel, meetingsContinue Reading
Profiled in this Month’s Issue of “Long Beach Jewish Life”
It’s been a while since I’ve been profiled in a Jewish news medium, which is why I’m glad to share that I was profiled in this month’s issue of Long Beach Jewish Life (pages 6-9). The writer, Jon Strum, kicks off his article “To date, our Meet the Rabbi series hasContinue Reading
Convening on Post-Birthright Israel trip Engagement
Last week, I attended a Birthright Israel NEXT Western Regional NEXTwork Convening in Southern California, designed for Jewish communal professionals who work with young adults. The convening, which took place at The Ranch of the Leichtag Foundation in Encinitas on 16-17 June, focussed on engaging post-Taglit-Birthright Israel participants and encouragingContinue Reading
Back from “Birthright”: Follow-Up from our Taglit-Birthright Israel Trip Begins
A week and a half ago, I returned from Israel, having – for my first time – led a Taglit Birthright Israel trip. It was quite a trip and there is much to say about it! Look for future posts about the trip on this blog 🙂 One thing thatContinue Reading
Leading a Taglit-Birthright Israel Trip
I will be serving as one of two leaders on an upcoming Taglit-Birthright Israel trip and I’m very excited, as it will be my first time ever going as a trip leader (I went 13+ years ago on a trip as a participant). The trip provider with whom we willContinue Reading