| Program Highlights |
March 12-13
Leaders Assembly presents an unparalleled opportunity to experience and leverage the buzz surrounding Jewish camp. Join us for what will be a profound experience of learning, sharing, and networking.
Keynote Address
Nancy Lublin, CEO of DoSomething.org, founder & former executive director of Dress for Success, and author of Zilch: The Power of Zero in Business will deliver a dynamic keynote address on bringing creativity and inspiration to our organizations every day.
Opening Plenary - From High Ropes to Higher Ed: Experiential Education on the National Agenda
Presenters:
Dr. Charles “Chip” Edelsberg, Executive Director, Jim Joseph Foundation (Moderator)
Richard M. Joel, President and Bravmann Family Professor, Yeshiva University
Rabbi David Ellenson, Ph.D., President, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
Arnold M. Eisen, Chancellor, The Jewish Theological Seminary
Today, the Jewish community sees camp as much more than swim lessons and bug juice. When the Foundation for Jewish Camp set out to raise the profile of Jewish camp 14 years ago, we knew the key to our success would be highlighting its critical role in building Jewish identity in North America. Along with the AVI CHAI and Harold Grinspoon Foundations, we worked to showcase how experiential education has effectively produced strongly identified, affiliated Jewish adults.
The Jim Joseph Foundation recently invested $45 million to significantly increase the number of trained Jewish educators at Yeshiva University, Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion, and Jewish Theological Seminary, with a large sum of the funds directed toward creating professionalized experiential education tracks. This reflects the serious work the field of Jewish camp has been doing for decades. On March 12th, 2012, the leaders of these institutions will join together at Leaders Assembly for a rare public discussion about why and how experiential education is being prioritized on the national agenda.
This conversation will acknowledge Jewish camp as a premier vehicle for experiential education, and the universal appeal of camp as an ideal venue for education, regardless of movement, sponsor, or agenda.
Dr. Charles “Chip” Edelsberg, executive director of the Jim Joseph Foundation, will moderate the panel, which will include a significant Question & Answer portion to allow our field to interact with and inspire the panelists.
Reach Beyond the Bunk Peer-to-Peer Program
Leaders Assembly’s cutting-edge programming focuses on collaborative, peer-led conversations that will inspire us to think about our work in new ways as we connect with camp advocates from across North America.
Savvy facilitators will guide us through intentional networking and brainstorming, opening the doors for vital discussions and fresh visions for the future of Jewish camp.
Reaching Beyond with JAFI: A Conversation with Natan Sharansky
Natan Sharansky, chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), will join us to showcase strategic changes at JAFI and highlight how they are working to “Reach Beyond the Bunk.” JAFI’s seismic shift from decades of promoting aliyah to a new vision of engendering Jewish peoplehood and identity exemplifies how even the most institutional entities in the Jewish community can create real change in response to contemporary needs.
JAFI is one of Jewish camps' most critical partners, training and supporting shlichim - Israeli staff - that bring Israel to life at our camps. Our field’s commitment to building Jewish identity in North America echoes JAFI’s commitment to strengthening Jewish identity throughout the world.
We look forward to greeting Mr. Sharansky on Tuesday afternoon, March 13th, for our closing lunch.
Tribute Dinner
We are excited to honor FJC’s former chairman, Skip Vichness and his years of dedication and service to Jewish camp. We will also celebrate the 110-year anniversaries of Surprise Lake Camp & Tamarack Camps and recognize key community camp supporters.
Free-Range Kids
After Lenore Skenazy allowed her 9-year-old to take a subway ride by himself, the media labeled her "America's Worst Mom." She countered by starting a blog, publishing a book and finally starting a movement called "Free-Range Kids," dedicated to reminding parents that today's children are smarter and safer than society gives them credit for. In this special, lighthearted presentation, Lenore traces just how this generation of parents became so much more involved--and terrified--than their own moms and dads. She’ll reveal how to fight the modern-day tendency to suck out all the cuts, scrapes, frustration--and in turn, joy and growth--out of childhood....and camp. And did we mention she's funny?
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