Essays [a 2 part entry]
Feb. 25th, 2005 01:24 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
theyellowhobbitI applied to 2 beit midrash programs- Moshava and Morasha. I had to write an essay for each. I think these are good essays, so I'm posting them.
For Moshava:
Please write a statement the describes your thoughts on the following camp issues:
Why do you want to work at a summer camp?
Why do you want to work at Bnei Akiva/Camp Moshava?
What characteristics do you possess that will facilitate your functioning as an effective staff member?
Please elaborate on how you will benefit from the experience of working as a staff member at Camp Moshava?
Unlike most of the people who are a part of the Orthodox community I did not grow up “frum.” I did not have that early opportunity to myself in Torah and Jewish values through such institutions as a day school, or an Orthodox youth group, summer camp, or Israel program. I considered myself “religious Reform,” and was very active in NFTY (the Reform Youth movement), going to countless local youth group events, writing and leading programs, attending Reform summer camp, and even going to Israel twice during my high school career, once for a whole semester. However, there was not much formal Jewish education in these programs, and a lot of what I did learn I’ve since had to unlearn.
I became observant about a year ago, and have since been striving to “make up for lost time” in order that I can be at the same level of learning as my peers who are now experts at learning gemara, having gone to day school all their life and having spent a year in seminary. Ideally, I would take a year off after college and spend it learning in seminary in Israel, but until then, I’d like to do everything I can to increase my skills in learning Tanach, mishnah, gemara, and Jewish thought.
I’d like to learn in the Beit Midrash Program at Camp Moshava for multiple reasons, the first being that I’d like to spend the summer in an Orthodox environment. Other options I was considering included working in New York or taking classes at the University of Pennsylvania, but I’ve decided against these two options because there wouldn’t be enough Judaism in my life. Sure, I could learn in chevrutas or take night classes, and spend shabbatot in the Jewish community, but I wouldn’t be completely immersed in Judaism like I would at Camp Moshava. I want to spend my days around other Torah Observant Jews, who care about their Judaism as much as I do.
Another reason for me wanting to learn in the Beit Midrash Program is the nature of the program itself. Not only would I be learning, but I’d also have the opportunity to teach. For me, this is important, because someday I would like to be a teacher of Jewish Studies, and I need more experience being a teacher. From the small amount that I’ve taught so far, I feel that teaching is a very rewarding experience.
I also want to be at Camp Moshava this summer because it is unique in its ideology of being a religious Zionist summer camp. I myself am a religious Zionist, and want to make aliyah after I graduate college. Other Jewish summer camps don’t have much of a Zionist aspect to them. But Moshava links everything the campers and staff do to Torah and Israel.
I possess many characteristics that would make me a great staff member. I’m enthusiastic, hard working, and dedicated. In addition, I have a great love of Judaism. Many of the campers at Orthodox summer camps were born into Orthodox Judaism, and have never considered being anything other than Orthodox. I, on the other hand, come from a different background then most of the campers and other staff. I decided for myself that I was going to make a big change in my life and become observant. Through the joys and hardships that come with being a ba’alat teshuva, I’ve learned how important my Judaism is to me. I feel like I can share my experiences with campers and other staff members, and perhaps help them appreciate their Judaism more.
For Moshava:
Please write a statement the describes your thoughts on the following camp issues:
Why do you want to work at a summer camp?
Why do you want to work at Bnei Akiva/Camp Moshava?
What characteristics do you possess that will facilitate your functioning as an effective staff member?
Please elaborate on how you will benefit from the experience of working as a staff member at Camp Moshava?
Unlike most of the people who are a part of the Orthodox community I did not grow up “frum.” I did not have that early opportunity to myself in Torah and Jewish values through such institutions as a day school, or an Orthodox youth group, summer camp, or Israel program. I considered myself “religious Reform,” and was very active in NFTY (the Reform Youth movement), going to countless local youth group events, writing and leading programs, attending Reform summer camp, and even going to Israel twice during my high school career, once for a whole semester. However, there was not much formal Jewish education in these programs, and a lot of what I did learn I’ve since had to unlearn.
I became observant about a year ago, and have since been striving to “make up for lost time” in order that I can be at the same level of learning as my peers who are now experts at learning gemara, having gone to day school all their life and having spent a year in seminary. Ideally, I would take a year off after college and spend it learning in seminary in Israel, but until then, I’d like to do everything I can to increase my skills in learning Tanach, mishnah, gemara, and Jewish thought.
I’d like to learn in the Beit Midrash Program at Camp Moshava for multiple reasons, the first being that I’d like to spend the summer in an Orthodox environment. Other options I was considering included working in New York or taking classes at the University of Pennsylvania, but I’ve decided against these two options because there wouldn’t be enough Judaism in my life. Sure, I could learn in chevrutas or take night classes, and spend shabbatot in the Jewish community, but I wouldn’t be completely immersed in Judaism like I would at Camp Moshava. I want to spend my days around other Torah Observant Jews, who care about their Judaism as much as I do.
Another reason for me wanting to learn in the Beit Midrash Program is the nature of the program itself. Not only would I be learning, but I’d also have the opportunity to teach. For me, this is important, because someday I would like to be a teacher of Jewish Studies, and I need more experience being a teacher. From the small amount that I’ve taught so far, I feel that teaching is a very rewarding experience.
I also want to be at Camp Moshava this summer because it is unique in its ideology of being a religious Zionist summer camp. I myself am a religious Zionist, and want to make aliyah after I graduate college. Other Jewish summer camps don’t have much of a Zionist aspect to them. But Moshava links everything the campers and staff do to Torah and Israel.
I possess many characteristics that would make me a great staff member. I’m enthusiastic, hard working, and dedicated. In addition, I have a great love of Judaism. Many of the campers at Orthodox summer camps were born into Orthodox Judaism, and have never considered being anything other than Orthodox. I, on the other hand, come from a different background then most of the campers and other staff. I decided for myself that I was going to make a big change in my life and become observant. Through the joys and hardships that come with being a ba’alat teshuva, I’ve learned how important my Judaism is to me. I feel like I can share my experiences with campers and other staff members, and perhaps help them appreciate their Judaism more.
