SJNM Summer 2011 - The Kickoff

Natalie Davidowitz is a student in the Joint Masters program of the HUC School of Jewish Nonprofit Management and the Rhea Hirsch School of Education.

Last Friday was the official kickoff of our summer session. For me and other returning students, the day was an opportunity to reconnect with second-year classmates, and welcome the incoming class. As we arrived, the expressions on the incoming student’s faces displayed a combination of timid excitement and definite enthusiasm. They reminded me of how I felt on my first day at SJNM one year ago.

The first activity of our orientation was at the National Council for Jewish Women’s thrift store. We were welcomed by the manager who introduced us to the work of this 100 year old Jewish nonprofit organization. We spent one hour volunteering at the store, organizing second-hand clothes and working the register. We then headed to a park where we got to know each other better through a series of ice breakers – my favorite was the one involving m&ms! Our final stop of the day was at the home of Lori Klein, the assistant director of SJNM. Lori inviting us to her home displayed the warmth and concern that is commonly found in the faculty here.

At Lori’s house we enjoyed a delicious Shabbat dinner of pizza, pasta, salad, and chocolate desserts. We ate early enough so that the students who needed to be home before Shabbat were able to do so. Over the past year I have learned that SJNM respects the various religious backgrounds of its students. The school does everything possible to make us all feel comfortable, from the flexible style of our Experience in Religious Expression to honoring all Jewish holidays on the calendar.

I thoroughly enjoyed the activities of the day, but the highlight for me was the honor of meeting with Jerry Bubis, the founding director of the HUC-JIR School of Jewish Communal Service (now SJNM) who founded the school in 1968 Jerry is an inspiring man, and I hung on every word as he imparted his wisdom based on over fifty years experience in the field. He shared much with us, but the advice that stands out in my mind is “Find your passion and follow it.” I’m working on that!