Peak Experiences or a Kodak Moment!

This summer the faculty at URJ's OSRUI had the opportunity to read the book:  The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath.  This book teaches us that we can craft and create moments that will stay in our minds long after the day has passed.  We are especially good at camp at creating those peak experiences in different ways from using costumes, igniting large signs in fire and our all camp talent shows.  When you think back to camp or school you may remember these larger than life moments.  When I was growing up you called it a Kodak moment which is now defined as:

The term "Kodak moment" has earned a spot in The Online Slang Dictionary, which defines it as "a moment worthy of capturing with a photograph, especially an adorable moment.

What will become of Kodak moments with all of our digital cameras?  I am not sure but even at OSRUI before Shabbat Shira our all camp singing on Friday night ALL and I mean all of the chanichim, campers, throw their hands in the air and say "No Flash photography" which has not been a problem since flashbulbs went out of fashion about 20 years ago.  It started many years ago when flashbulbs went off during the singing and it was very distracting.  We have a new director and our chanichim still say No Flash photography and throw their hands over their heads and motion taking a picture with an old instamatic camera.  

How can we make sure we have a happy medium between out of the ordinary programming and programming that everyone will remember at least until they get home from camp or get into the car after Religious school.

Gene Simmons AKA Ross Orgiefsky 

Last year at Lakeside Congregation we brought back our "door" which was a time machine and introduced Israeli characters for Israel's 70th birthday to our Religious school every week.  We called it Dor (generation in Hebrew) L' Door.  We had a class of students who made this their project based learning and they picked who would come through the door.  The week before Purim, Gene Simmons of KISS came through the door as a bonafide Israeli citizen who was born in there.  I am sure my students will remember the door and I hope they will remember MOST of the people who made an appearance.

This year our door is moving to Beth Emet the Free Synagogue in Evanston and surprisingly it has the same magic features that it did at Lakeside.  In fact on Sunday September 16 Sarah (of Abraham and Sarah) came through the door.  She was able to pray with the students there and remarkably there was one girl in attendance named Sarah!  I hope that this will be a peak experience for the students at Beth Emet and that they will have as much fun as we have had over the years in welcoming guests to our sanctuary.

Sarah one of the Matriarchs arriving at Beth Emet

I know that educators and parents too have many peak moments that they are planning and crafting for the upcoming year. Some peak moments may also just happen when students and curriculum come together or a family manages to create a special memorable moment.  I love to be a part of any type of peak moment and will be planning some for this new year.