Beginnings and Gratitude

[Originally posted on the URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy Blog]

Shabbat Korach

Aaron is appointed as Cohen Gadol, high priest.  He is reconfirmed through the test of the staves in which Aaron’s staff miraculously sprouted almonds. (Numbers 17:16-24)

Yesterday, I drove to a new place.  In 11 days, this place will become a new Jewish overnight camp.  In between these two spaces in time, we have A LOT of work to do.  I am feeling incredibly blessed to be in this place, at this time, with these people and doing what I love.  We’re creating a camp.  We have an amazingly talented leadership team, and I am in awe of the insight and creativity that surround me.  I’m developing systems and protocol and schedules that will help provide the tools our staff needs to make this place come alive and support the transformative experiences that will undoubtedly be part of this summers’ narrative for both our campers and staff.  I am vastly aware of the sprouted almonds in my life.  I am beyond excited, and while I’ve been here for just over 24 hours, I haven’t been able to catch my breath…until now.  It’s almost Shabbat.  While we will continue to dream, build and create, it will be in lockstep with opportunities to reflect, recharge and renew our excitement for the holy work we will be doing over the next week.  Throughout this inaugural summer at URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy, we will have the ability to make magic happen.  And for this first Shabbat at camp, I’m thinking a lot about how I can help our staff team be the best we can be, and how we can give some of our “sprouted almonds” to each other as we begin this journey.

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