Basic Training Retreat
I returned yesterday from the City Year basic training retreat at Camp Wabanna. I had a magnificent time and am THRILLED about beginning my year of service. I finally found out what team I'm on: HOPE (HIV/AIDS Outreach and Prevention Education). Our goal (aside from the usual weekly tutoring, occasional service projects, and continual service to HIV-sensitive organizations in DC) is to educate every 10th grader in DCPS (DC Public Schools) about HIV/AIDS/STDs/Family Planning, etc. This was my first choice placement, and I *love* my team, team leader, and program manager. I am totally pumped about this year.
Moreover, I'm coming to realize how truly important my work is going to be. Not that I'm trying to say that I'll be world-changing, but I really believe that it's my human responsibility to serve, and it's enormously fulfilling to attend to that responsibility. This feeling of rightness was further emphasized internally at this morning's Shabbat service at the confirmation class retreat I staffed for Temple Sinai. During the service, I was bombarded with heavy self-discoveries that each word of Hebrew I spoke was drawing my Self closer to realizing that it has a deep-seated purpose of service. I feel (or at least I felt this morning) that my place in the world is not going to be planning bowling trips for middle schoolers (one of my jobs this summer) but rather to find ways to instill the yearning for fulfillment of our basic human responsibility of service into Jews and non-Jews. I feel passionately about this, and I pray to keep my passion for many decades to come.
As you can see, I've been very affected by the idealism that is exalted at City Year. For the first time in my life, I am constantly being told that idealism is a valid and necessary model for living. It's truly refreshing to find so many people who share my desire to repair the world, regardless of their backgrounds, and I'm honored to have met them and to be ready to serve alongside them.
This year is going to be wonderful. I can't wait. :)
SPDWotD:
fichu - a woman's scarf
QotD (sponsored, as will generally be the case in the future, by the City Year Daily Briefing):
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
~Mahatma Gandhi
Moreover, I'm coming to realize how truly important my work is going to be. Not that I'm trying to say that I'll be world-changing, but I really believe that it's my human responsibility to serve, and it's enormously fulfilling to attend to that responsibility. This feeling of rightness was further emphasized internally at this morning's Shabbat service at the confirmation class retreat I staffed for Temple Sinai. During the service, I was bombarded with heavy self-discoveries that each word of Hebrew I spoke was drawing my Self closer to realizing that it has a deep-seated purpose of service. I feel (or at least I felt this morning) that my place in the world is not going to be planning bowling trips for middle schoolers (one of my jobs this summer) but rather to find ways to instill the yearning for fulfillment of our basic human responsibility of service into Jews and non-Jews. I feel passionately about this, and I pray to keep my passion for many decades to come.
As you can see, I've been very affected by the idealism that is exalted at City Year. For the first time in my life, I am constantly being told that idealism is a valid and necessary model for living. It's truly refreshing to find so many people who share my desire to repair the world, regardless of their backgrounds, and I'm honored to have met them and to be ready to serve alongside them.
This year is going to be wonderful. I can't wait. :)
SPDWotD:
fichu - a woman's scarf
QotD (sponsored, as will generally be the case in the future, by the City Year Daily Briefing):
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
~Mahatma Gandhi