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Dispatches from the network and updates from the Foundation.
May 2016
Many years ago, my mother, a survivor of Auschwitz who lost her parents and all but one of her eleven siblings in the camps, did a videotaped testimony for Steven Spielberg’s Shoah Foundation. I recall her exclamations on the phone at the beginning of the process: “Larry, I got a letter from Steven Spielberg, I got a letter from Steven Spielberg!” As the taping approached, my mother was almost trembling
In this “Heard Round WexWorld” collection for Yom HaShoah, we note the possibilities that new technology offers for global connection, sanctification and authentic private reflection. WGF alum Charlie Schwartz (Class 18) recorded an ELI Talk about the theological questions and raw anguish that emerge when coming across your own name while reading a list of the murdered at 4 AM to an empty room on Yom HaShoah. Using video and
I am taking this opportunity to reflect on my experience during the second Wexner Senior Leadership (WSL) Program, earlier this year at the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS). As a select group of 39 senior civil servants from government ministries and agencies in Israel, we participated in a month-long tailor-made leadership program in one of the most prestigious academic surroundings in the world. During the program, nine public issues were addressed:
On the lovely spring day of April 6th, Wexner Israel Fellowship Class 27 traveled from Cambridge to New York City for a two-day institute. This was a unique opportunity for grasping new perspectives on our public service-inspired journey. Our first day was dedicated to an enlightening engagement between our class and NY-area Wexner Heritage Program alumni, and the second day included meetings with leaders from various sectors in NYC who
Apr 2016
Front Row (L-R): Rabbi David Lyon, David Scott, Miriam Friedman, Rabbi Matthew Berkowitz, Berne Black, and Lisa Stone Back Row (L-R): Shirley Lavine, Rabbi Joshua Herman, Warren Rich, Sonny Gerber, Deena Gordon and Dr. Ed Septimus On April 14-16, 2016, several members of the Houston 06 Wexner Heritage class welcomed back to Houston one of their favorite Wexner professors, Rabbi Matthew Berkowitz — also a Wexner Graduate Fellowship alum (Class
Apr 2016
There is a famous line in the 1989 movie Field of Dreams: “If you build it, he will come.” Fast forward 27 years. In two short months, Camp Ramah in Northern California will open its gates to more than 230 campers (and counting) who have signed up for our inaugural summer. Dayenu. We have built it together as a community, and campers and staff are really coming. After literally walking the
Apr 2016
Two guiding tenets of “Wexnerism” are teaching and learning. As members of the Wexner Heritage Program, we were privileged to study with the best Judaic studies teachers in North America. We didn’t learn just for the sake of learning; we learned so that we could teach others. Teaching and learning are two of the most venerated values of Judaism. The ultimate source text for this is, of course, the first
Apr 2016
Rabbi Abby Sosland explores shame in our society and the Jewish community in this honest and engaging ELI Talk about achievement, failure, leadership, narcissism and courage. Shared here with thanks to ELI Talks. Abby Sosland, an alum of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship (Class 6), is Morah Ruchanit (Spiritual Advisor) of Schechter Westchester, where she teaches Bible, Talmud, prayer and philosophy. Her writing has been published widely, including the chapter on
Apr 2016
The Wexner Heritage Atlanta 10 class gathered last week at the home of David and Debbie Kurzweil to catch up socially and to share thoughts on our recent Jewish community involvement. From leading the creation of Atlanta’s new MACoM Community Mikvah to ensuring the successful merger of two Atlanta day schools, the members and spouses of Atlanta’s 2010 Wexner class are keeping busy, serving their Jewish community and having
Apr 2016
Yitz and Blu Greenberg capturing what may be their first selfie at one of the many Wexner Heritage Summer Institutes they have attended over the last 30 years. I’m guessing that few people in this world just happen to write a book while in the process of writing another book. But as our teacher, Rabbi Irving “Yitz” Greenberg, says, this book basically wrote itself, emerging from a lifetime of teaching