In the Field
One of the great facets of this job is flexibility and learning new working styles. Last year, I was primarily a do-er, out in the field and working with Program Directors, running around town and making sure everything was running smoothly.
Lately, I've been in a mentoring seat, advising our new staff on important decisions and news, giving guidance and support to our team. It's nice to play that role, but to be honest, I miss cracking down and actually working on projects. Moving back though, I see how the Forest Foundation, by its mission of creating young leaders, is opening up new amazing opportunities every day.
In the words of Jordan Fruchtman (FF alumnus), "Every problem is an opportunity!"
Shabbat Shalom,
Aaron
The lost tribes of Israel?
In my current research of Remote Jewish communities, I have come across so many interesting and diverse groups of people that I never knew existed. Through my work in this area of the forest foundation, two different communities have caught my eye in particular. I never thought that there were so many Jews in Africa, but never even dreamed that their would be a community of close to a thousand Jews in Uganda, and a group as small as around one hundred or so in Ghana. Although these two communities are very different in their religious practices, size, culture, and history, I have high hopes that we will be working hard with them in developing their community and identity with Judaism. How fascinating is it that a group of 70+ Jews in Ghana, isolated from much of the world with little physical connection to Judaism, didn't know that an actual modern day Israel existed? Yet, these Jews still learn, study, pray, and give themselves to Hashem with all of their hearts? Imagine if a few of the younger members of these communities could travel to Israel and report back to their families and friends with stories of the land of milk (apples) and honey...what a miracle this would be!
Forest High
A new and exciting program is about to start in the Bay Area. Forest High!!! At Forest High, the amazing oppertunities that are being offered to our current college aged Program directors, are being given to high school students! We currently have more applications than we can handle and more are still coming in. I can't wait to get this started and see where these amazing youths will lead the Forest Foundation.
--Brady
Matzah Ballstars
Since everyone else is posting cool pictures of themselves - I mind as well join in on the phone. Moishe House San Francisco kicked off the latest in their programming with the Matzah Ballstars Softball team - which lost it's first game 13-9 last monday but looked great doing it. Shown here is me hitting the ball with precision and perfection. I think this ended up being a fly out to left center.
Tonight the Matzah Ball Stars play two under the lights. This has been a great organizing technique as many people inevitable come out to regular events and there is a real sense of community being fostered among the teammates. Each game is finished up with an appreciation circle and generally people have been leaving the gatherings feeling happy and fulfilled.
To see many more pictures of the Ball Stars in action - check out the San Francisco group's picture gallery:
moishehouse.phanfare.com/album/84829
L'Koufax!
- isaac
The Adventures of a Nomad
My adventure started the day I stepped on the plane to go Australia. I decided after graduation I was going to test myself by taking a month trip to Australia and Fiji alone. I kept myself distracted before getting on the plane so that I wouldn’t let my mind wonder with fears, anxiety and false expectations. I loved every minute I was away. I took it as an opportunity to explore the many aspects of myself and to let loose and have “no worries” as they say in Australia or “ a sang-a na- langa” (Fijian).
I was confronted with daily challenges both physically and emotionally. In Australia, I zip lined through a rainforest, went white water rafting and was the only one on my boat who didn’t fall off (that doesn’t include the 5 times the guide tipped us). I learned how to throw a boomerang and a spear, so if I get really mad, you better think twice before pushing my buttons! One of the highlights was that I got to dance on stage with the Aboriginals in front of hundreds of people. I met “heeps” of people from all over the world. Being close friends with primarily Jewish kids similar to myself, I was thrilled that my three closest friends were Chinese Canadian, English Indians and a native Australian.
After 2 ½ weeks in Australia, I was excited to go to Fiji and just lounge around on the beaches soaking up the sun. To my surprise, Fiji was way more than I beaches. Instead, we went to the villages, the schools and played with all the young Fijian kids. Their lives were so simple: no Internet, no running water, some of villages didn’t have electricity. However, the kids and the people in Fiji were some of nicest people I have ever met. Everyone waves, smiles and talks to you as if they were your best friends. There is so much warmth in that country, and I’m not referring to the sun, which was nice as well.
When I returned, I came back with dozens of bug bites, a fabulous tan, and a lifetime of memories. I was excited to return home to take a vacation from my vacation. However, the day I stepped off the plane I was instructed by Dave to return to Santa Barbara for the full time training and retreat. I came “straight away” (Australia lingo) with my backpackers back pack and mini rolling suitcase. Again, I had no expectation of the 2 weeks I was planning on spending in SB with my co-workers/friends. The challenges, adventures and lack of sleep I experienced in Australia and Fiji seemed to carry on in my two weeks of bonding. I learned a lot about all the full timers including how Aaron’s nostrils flare when he laughs, Dave makes the best Indian tribe leader, Brady is the hottest chick I have ever seen and Levi makes a mean guacamole.
After my long romantic walks on the beach with Aaron and Brady, lots of board games and a few hours a day creating trainings for this year I decided it was time to take another vacation. I couldn’t think of a better place than CANADA. My boyfriend took me to Vancouver for his birthday. After playing with the beluga whales at the aquarium, seeing a drag show and riding around Stanley park on a tandem bike I figured I was ready to start my job.
So, here I am. I’m back in SB and getting down to business. This week I am no longer a nomad. I am getting settled into an actual home, with my own bed and no more suitcases! Well maybe a few more, at least until I am completely settled. I have been contacting my PDs, learning about my job and picking Aaron and Dave’s brain apart. I have already learned a lot about myself in this week a lone. Traveling may have been fun and challenging, but it was nothing compared to the adventure I have ahead of me! To conclude, I will leave you all with a nice big loud warm Fijian BULA!!! ( welcome/YAY!)
- Morgan
Oakland... There I am!
I love life!
After a two week training with my wonderful fellow full time staffers I am here in my Oakland office knee deep in my second week of work. Most of the students that I will be working with are still out of town and even the ones that are in town are still on Summer Vacation. This leaves me in a place that is similar to the way I feeling about being just two days away from the opening of Snakes on a Plane... Stoked!
I have amazing program directors coming back from their summer adventures and a few great new people to add to the group. Not only do I have the existing group, but I am starting a high school group up here called FOREST HIGH!!! So far it looks like the kids are primarily going to be from Camp Tawonga; a Jewish summer camp that I have worked at for many years. These kids just did a teen service learning trip to Costa Rica where they helped with schools; painting them, making gardens and compost boxes. They also went out and did a lot of reforestation! These are amazing, dedicated, smart teens, and I can't wait to see them reach their potential through the Forest Foundation!
So for now I have to sit here in my office. I'm eagerly waiting for all the teen applications to come in and for the school year to start. I am doing everything I can to be ready so that when the first school bell rings... I'm ready to rock and roll!
There are snakes on this mother
&@*$^#% plane!
Brady
Sweet as Honey
These past two weeks have been filled with some of the most interesting and exciting days of my life. Who would have thought that within the same week as turning in my last term paper of college and filling in the final bubble of my undergraduate career, that I would find myself writing emails to Taiwan, Uganda, Argentina, and Russia. Working on projects that I love in the most amazing atmosphere is the best graduation present ever! Each morning I wake up to hear the daily plans of my fellow Forest Foundation workers, some of the happiest, most hard-working people I have ever met. I couldn't ask for a more inspiring way to start the day.
Working as the Remote Jewish Communities Director, I am currently contacting communities from all over the globe to take part in our second annual Apples 'n Honey program. With the idea that every Jewish community should have the opportunity to come together in celebration of their Jewish identity and New Year no matter where they are, the Forest Foundation offers monetary grants to areas of the world where this would otherwise be impossible. In the effort to seek out and support the development of Jewish communities both large and small in every corner of the world where diminished resources and limited access to Jewish life are decreasing identity, I have explored the internet, met with friends who have just returned from studying abroad, and have contacted Hillels and organizations internationally. As of now, it looks as though communities in Argentina, the Former Soviet Union, Mexico, and Ghana will be taking part in the Forest Foundation's sponsored international celebrations of the Jewish new year, Apples 'n Honey.
Rosh Hashanah is just around the corner and with each day I hope to get a new community on board. I have discovered Jews in places that I never knew existed. Tunisia, Taiwan, Tahiti, Zurich, Malta, and Cuba are just some of the areas that I will be working with in developing their Jewish community. I am so thrilled to be apart of such an amazing foundation and opportunity. These celebrations will offer a setting for these communities to come together in celebration of their Jewish identity and will be a spark for inspiration that will change their community forever. This year is looking like it can only be sweet as honey!
-Levi
Spittling things Up
With most of our collegiate students away on break, we set up a group of high school students to work in our Internship program. As Morris might say, "We're starting 'em early."
Program Directors attend weekly Trainings, meetings, and starting yesterday, will meet 1:1 with Marissa, Levi, or myself. Our old model wasn't working as well as we wanted, so as to give some experience and divide up work, the 3 group leaders will now be responsible for smaller groups, allowing for far closer attention to our high schoolers. It was a simple management trick that I'm confident will work towards everyone's benefit.
-Aaron
