Who knew that piling six staff members into a minivan could be so impactful? Our JCA staff members were thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in a professional development program offered by the JCC Association and M2 – Values in Action. The initiative equips Jewish educators and administrators to navigate the complex challenges of our time while we also inspire action – all through Jewish values.
Two days and more than 650 miles later, with stops at Cracker Barrel both going and returning, six colleagues from five departments at the JCA became a cohesive team. The JCC Association gathering was designed for professionals who are not trained Jewish educators yet play a role in planning and implementing Jewish programs and experiences to strengthen our understanding of Jewish values.
The training we experienced focused on the Values in Action curriculum, which teaches core Jewish values as a way to engage with timely issues that deeply impact our lives. This allowed us to experience a larger sense of community and fellowship among all the JCC staff from Florida who participated. We left with an appreciation of our colleagues and the unique challenges we face.
The idea of “highlighted, not hidden,” resonated with our group. In both existing programs and programs in development at our JCA, we can name the associated values – and we loved the idea of the values-based approach informing our work at the Jewish Community Alliance.
We were so inspired by our time in Fort Lauderdale that we returned and began crafting a values-based project here. As we reflect on the values that stand out on our campus, now more than ever, the value of “growth” comes to mind. Our JCA is growing as a community, growing as an organization, and we are all growing as individuals.
To symbolize this growth and in celebration of Tu B’Shevat, the new year of the trees, we are inviting members, guests, and staff to join us in creating a collaborative art installation at the JCA, complete with flowers, birds, trees, butterflies and more items that symbolize the value of growth.
We will meet in the lobby to explore the value of growth – צְמִיחָה – tzmicha – as it is related to the expansion of the JCA, growth in our community, and our own lives. There will be self-guided opportunities and times when our team will be on hand to discuss the project, crafts, and value. As crafts are created, our JCA staff will add them to our art installation in the Vandroff Art Gallery hallway. Let’s get growing!
Please join us for a curated experience on the following days, Feb 10 – Mar 14:
Monday and Wednesday | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm
Tuesday and Thursday | 5:45 – 6:45 pm
Friday | 9:15 – 10:15 am
Our JCA M2 Values in Action team:
Erin Groll-Barrash, Youth Services
Faye Hedrick, J Institute
Kayleigh Pease, Program Registrar
Kristine Threet, Early Childhood
Jo-Ellen Unger, Administration
Kenshin Wu, Early Childhood
