Setting Your Own Course
Earlier this week was the annual AJOP (Association for Jewish Outreach Programs) Conference where I was proud to note that seven NCSY and OU professionals delivered sessions on a wide range of topics, reaching hundreds of Jewish professionals on the front lines of kiruv (outreach). I was pleased to have the rewarding opportunity to present at the conference and I noticed that my sessions on staff management and how to build up an organization particularly resonated with the audience.
As the kiruv movement thankfully continues to grow and expand it is crucial that the leaders of organizations appropriately manage their teams and create professional settings and standards, and most importantly effectively train their staff. Kiruv professionals are not there to impose a Jewish lifestyle rather we are there to introduce individuals to the beauty and vitality of Jewish life. I believe this vigilant focus on personal choice and responsibility is one of the outstanding hallmarks of NCSY.
A few years ago I had an NCSYer who felt very conflicted about her religious growth. While she wished to take on more mitzvot she had a contentious relationship with her parents who were opposed to her becoming more religious. Every erev shabbos for three years I received a call from this distraught girl asking what she should do and every week I gave her the same response. I explained that this girl knew all the sides of the issue, that she had a fundamental responsibility to honor and respect her parents, and that she would have to come to her own conclusions- these are simply not decisions I could make for her.
Today I know this girl is a much stronger individual because she made her own choices and set her own path and neither NCSY nor I made up her mind for her.
Rabbi Burg,
Just wanted to drop you a note to sy hello. It’s been some time since we last met and I’m so impressed with where you are now. Be well, old friend.
Posted by Shayne Zucker on 01/27 at 06:49 PM
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