Running into Summer: 2017

Many people ask me what I do over the summer.  Do I have vacation all summer?  No, how would Lakeside get all the books, curriculum, calendars and even pencils get put into place if not but over the summer.  We don't have Religious school or Hebrew school but we do have students who are tutored over the summer as they prepare for B'nai Mitzvah.  Of course we have weekly outdoor and special themed Friday Night Shabbat T'filot and Shabbat morning Bible study. 

This year I started off the summer season by attending the American Jewish Committee's Global Forum.  This year it was held in Washington D.C. and this is what the AJC does:

The AJC Global Forum is AJC’s annual policy and advocacy conference. The program includes a mixture of large plenary sessions featuring headline speakers and smaller breakout sessions designed to explore the key political, strategic, and social concerns affecting the future of world Jewry. At this unique gathering you will not only experience what it means to be part of a global people, but also engage in meaningful advocacy to advance the well-being of the Jewish community.

We heard many different speakers from Senator Chuck Schumer, U.S. National Security Advisor Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, the Mayor of Atlanta, Kasim Reed and many other speakers.  There were videos from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to winners of different awards of courage and unity.  I studied about Black-Jewish relations, Israel: BDS (Boycott, Divestments and Sanctions) and how to handle that on the college campus.  The conference was interesting and appealed to different types of learning with videos, speakers and smaller lectures.  Next year their conference will be in Jerusalem for a celebration of Israel's 70 Birthday.  

Today I went to OSRUI for the day during staff training week.  I worked with our madrichim, counselors to help them lead our Limudim, educational programs and Hebrew.  I am passionate about working with campers over the summer and am inspired by our madrichim's dedication to camp and our campers. 

Before I leave for camp I look forward to working on our upcoming year of programs and school at Lakeside.  Any new ideas give me a call.  I know we will have some surprises for you when school opens on Sunday September 10!  Enjoy your summer and come and visit us!