After working for the past three summers as a counselor at Camp Simcha Special, Chai Lifeline’s amazing summer program for children living with chronic illness and disabilities, I was inspired to find more ways to become involved in the world of Jewish nonprofit organizations, also known as “klal work.” I was unsure of where to begin in going about this goal when I was told about Chai Lifeline’s Lubeck Fellowship in Jewish Nonprofit and Communal Leadership, run by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer, head counselor at Camp Simcha and rabbi of Beth Israel Synagogue in Omaha, Nebraska.
The program is made up of young men and women who have been involved in volunteering for Chai Lifeline and are looking to gain insight into the world of nonprofit leadership. Having the opportunity to learn from someone with as much insight and experience in the nonprofit world as Rabbi Dembitzer, as well as the other distinguished presenters that he would bring as part of the program, was exactly the entrance into this world that I was looking for. I applied and over the course of the eight weeks of this fellowship feel that I have gained invaluable skills that will hopefully provide me and fellow participants with many opportunities in the world of klal work and beyond.
In addition to Rabbi Dembitzer, members of the program had the unique opportunity to hear from successful leaders in the world of Jewish nonprofit. People such as Rabbi A.D. Motzen, national director of government affairs for Agudath Israel of America; Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph, executive VP of the Orthodox Union; Shira Werblowsky, executive recruiter for nonprofits; Rabbi Steven Burg, CEO of Aish HaTorah; Yaakov Langer, founder of Living Lchaim; and Sarah Rotenstreich, director of the Batsheva Organization, all provided powerful insight into what it takes to succeed in their respective professions.
What was immediately clear is that even within the world of klal work, leadership takes many different forms and there are many different yet equally powerful ways to contribute. One must be able to evaluate the way that they can uniquely impact in the most effective way, and fill the need that best suits them.
A common theme in leadership that seemed to emerge from all of the presenters was the necessity to be able to look beyond yourself. This primarily manifests itself in two capacities. The first is that in order to be successful as a leader in any field, one has to be able to act based on what they think is best for those whom they are leading and for the cause which they are working toward, rather than what may be best and easiest for them on a personal level.
Additionally, when it comes to klal work there is often another factor: the realization that you are serving a higher purpose. One must realize that in their work, even if it may seem dry and boring at times, they are providing an essential service for the community, and are fulfilling the will of God in an elevated and holy way. This should guide both the day to day operations as well as the long-term goals and vision that one has for their organization. When one carries this appreciation and responsibility, and realizes the importance of their cause and how best to achieve their goals, they become more effective as a leader.
In conclusion, my experience with the Lubeck Fellowship has been incredibly transformative. I hope that the skills I have learned over the course of this program will allow me to grow on both a personal and professional level. This fellowship has allowed me to see opportunities in the world of klal work that I had not thought of before, and hopefully will provide me and the fellow members of this program the opportunity to succeed and give back to the community in the world of Klal work and otherwise.
Noam Steinmetz, a Teaneck native and student at Yeshiva University, recently completed Chai Lifeline’s Lubeck Fellowship in Jewish Nonprofit and Communal Leadership. Learn more about the program at www.chailifeline.org/lubeck.
