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Dispatches from the network and updates from the Foundation.
The Wexner Foundation is piloting a way for our alumni, members and fellows to meet, learn, discuss and refresh their leadership toolbox. “36 Minutes LIVE: The Elul Series”, which consists of six stand-alone videoconferences during the month of Elul, already has RSVPs approaching 100 people per session. Last week, Member of Knesset Ruth Calderon challenged participants to go beyond “rote forgiveness” through an exploration of a Talmudic story about Rav
Sep 2014
The secular New Year in the middle of winter never made sense to me. In contrast, Fall, with its themes of return (of people to school, to work and seriousness from the frivolity of summer; of leaves and flowers back to the earth after their rich and glorious bloom) and dying/retreating (of plants, and birds, insects; people and other animals hunkering down, seeking shelter and going inside) is a much
Sep 2014
This year I’m teaching an informal elective class for 7th-12th graders called “Jews Who Changed the World”. The class is six weeks long, and I’d like to go over one personality each class. I’m interested in not only “teaching history” but also raising the question: How do we think the “Jewishness” of prominent Jewish individuals influenced their achievement? As such, I’m inclined not to focus on Jews who rocked the
The Wexner Foundation is proud to present Ruth Calderon as part of the “36 Minutes LIVE – The Elul Series” which was recorded August 28, 2014.
Aug 2014
As the proud father of four Jewish summer campers, the husband of a Jewish summer camper and a former Jewish camper myself, I can tell you that camps had a profound impact on my family’s connection to Judaism. While I’m passionate about making sure more kids in our community can attend Jewish summer camps, I also love cycling. That’s why I decided to bring the two together. In the spring
One of our local journalists compared metropolitan St. Louis to the fictional “Mayberry,” the setting of the Andy Griffith Show. While that’s a stretch – metropolitan St. Louis encompasses 11 counties, and St. Louis County is an amalgam of 90-plus municipalities, including Ferguson – so many of us have had contact with some of the major “players” in this far-reaching tragedy. I know many of the individuals who have been at the
Aug 2014
To unravel the complexity of our Wexner Graduate Fellowship Summer Institute’s theme, fellows had to explore the personal and communal implications of Jewish “obligation.” With so many fellows in disagreement about whether their Jewishness and Jewish leadership necessarily implied a theologically, culturally or historically driven sense of obligation, it was challenging to create frameworks for our conversations. Amazingly enough, though, as the institute drew to a close with preparations for
Aug 2014
I wanted to let the Wexner Network know about a fortuitous overlap of events. For those planning to attend the General Assembly this year in Washington, D.C., taking place November 9 – 11, you will be in town during National Education Week. I am involved in National Education Week through some pro bono work I do trying to close the achievement gap, and know many in the Wexner Network also
Aug 2014
If you’re reading this, you know the power of a Wexner Institute. This was my first exposure to the intense intellectual stimulation and deep commitment of the entire Wexner enterprise, as experienced at the Wexner Heritage New Member Institute in Aspen that just finished last Friday. Deciding where to focus this reflection has been difficult—should I emphasize the numerous ah-ha moments inspired by the excellent faculty? The easy camaraderie among
Aug 2014
(Pictured): Seattle 12 at their graduation ceremony this past July in Utah. There is a mystical tradition that the world has 36 hidden tzadikim. These are special and humble people and legend explains they are usually unknown to us. At our new member retreat in Aspen, Colorado (now two years ago) we were privileged to meet and be inspired by Dr. Rick Hodes. He has dedicated his life to