Written by Benjy Forester
When I applied for the Nachshon Project, one of the things I looked forward to most was the chance to spend my time in Israel with likeminded people. Camp people understand camp people, and I knew that having the chance to learn and grow with other camp people would put me in my comfort zone and surround me with people with similar backgrounds, opinions, and struggles. Yet, every time we encounter a speaker, an idea, or a text, I find that our group of seemingly very similar individuals divides into many different pockets of convictions and opinions. Those moments of difference have actually been my favorite part of my experience with the Nachshon Project, because the beauty of our cohort lies in all of our distinct backgrounds and ideas. The nurturing and accepting Nachshon community allows our differences of opinions to coexist and inform each other. Through these dialogues, we have learned a great deal about each other's communities, which sheds light on the kinds of values we will carry forward as we become Jewish leaders.
The truth is, we all have different skills and abilities, but also different perspectives, priorities, and positions when it comes to the American Jewish community. Rather than let those differences divide us, we have been challenged to understand each other very clearly, learn from each other, and develop our own convictions. Through this process, we have all grown in ways that we had not expected. In America, we are often labeled by movements, views, or organizations. Here in Israel, some labels also exist, but we have been able to step out of labels that sometimes limit us in America, and simply explore what it means to be Jewish.
When we return to America, labels may once again help us understand which community we want to join and serve, but I think it's incredibly important that our growth as Nachshon Fellows begins in Israel. I feel blessed to have had this chance to reflect upon and develop my own views through my interactions with people who think like and who embrace different kinds of Judaism than mine.
Jewish tradition has always find immense value in preserving a multiplicity of voices and opinions, and I think our ability to appreciate the many voices within Judaism, even if they seem to stand at odds with some of our own most fundamental views, will make all of us more effective Jewish leaders. Because of the many voices in Judaism, a true Jewish leader must know how to listen to and interact with other Jews to break down the walls between communities and foster a more cohesive and respectful Jewish community.
