One of the defining characteristics of Camp Moshava Ba’ir is its investment in staff members. Many of its resources are dedicated toward exciting staff activities and meaningful staff appreciation, and the camp places a special emphasis on staff development. Camp staff recognizes that the summer is a time for growth, and the camp strives to foster that potential in the young men and women who serve as division heads, counselors, lifeguards, camper support and maintenance crew. The Moshava Ba’Ir Staff Leadership Program is one initiative aimed at meeting this objective.
Moshava Ba’ir launched its Staff Leadership Program two summers ago, and each year it have built on its success. Staff supervisors select individual staff members who demonstrate leadership qualities and invite them to participate in the program. Our goal is to empower these staff members by providing them with the license and tools to step into leadership roles in any area of camp. The group gathers for meetings after regular camp hours throughout the summer where guest speakers come to share advice and instruction on the subject of leadership based on their own professional expertise. They then collaborate on how to apply those messages toward the camp’s vision, program and personnel. The leadership staff benefit from the learning and networking opportunities (in addition to some nice dinners) provided by the program, while Moshava Ba’ir benefits from cultivating a mature and inspired staff.
Furthermore, the proposals and insights generated from the ongoing conversation about leadership have led to an even more improved program. Over 20 staff members have participated in this program, and some have chosen to continue in their leadership roles at camp by joining the head staff.
Moshava Ba’ir would like to recognize and sincerely thank its guest speakers who took the time to meet with the leadership staff: Coach Shua Pransky, assistant coach of the Yeshiva University mens’ soccer team and head soccer coach at Maccabi USA; Yosef Gillers, founder and executive director of Grow Torah; Moshe Kinderlehrer, co-founder and publisher of The Jewish Link; Shira Donath, yoetzet halacha of Congregation Darchei Noam in Fair Lawn; Aaron Safier, founder and CEO of the Sapphire Wealth Advisory Group; Dr. Talia Hindin, school psychologist at Yeshivat Ben Porat Yosef; and Susan Tuchman, Esq., director of the Center for Law and Justice at the Zionist Organization of America. Moshava Ba’ir deeply appreciates their contribution to the camp, and is excited that the exchange of ideas has already led to new initiatives for next summer.
