“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” -Jackie Robinson -By Ami Monson, Director of Youth Engagement

“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”

-Jackie Robinson

Most parents are concerned about raising their children with good values: parents of Jewish children not only want good values, they want Jewish values. If this is so, then what Jewish values are important in raising Jewish children, and how does one go about it?

When I think of teaching children, I realize that the most important thing is to be aware that our children learn by example, being a good “doogmah.” To instill values in children effectively, we must model the kind of behavior we want them to acquire.

In the last few months, I had a wonderful experience. A former USYer from a suburb of Philadelphia, whom I connected with during my time as a USY advisor in the Hagesher Region (serving Philadelphia and South Jersey Jewish teens), is currently in college. Even though he was not a member of my USY chapter, out of the blue he wrote me an incredibly personal and beautiful e-mail about the impact I had on his USY/high school life.

Here is part of what he wrote:

“I never had a direct USY advisor I connected with, but if I were to pick an advisor or staff that I remember earliest on and continued to help me get to where I am now and always encouraged me, it would be you. You’ve really touched me emotionally and my time in USY wouldn’t nearly be as complete as it is today if it had not been for you and your friendship.”

In Pirke Avoth (The Ethics of The Fathers, 3:12) it states:

Rabbi Eliezer the son of Shamua would say: The dignity of your student should be as precious to you as your own; the dignity of your colleague, as your awe of your master; and your awe of your master as your awe of Heaven.

Everyone we teach, we educate, we advise, is a reflection of ourselves. If you are always yelling at a student, they will yell back and be angry. If you get frustrated with a student, they will frustrate you back, and most likely others around them. However, if you encourage, be kind, support, and most important – BELIEVE in your student, their positive responses and behaviors are endless.

Sometimes we teach once, sometimes we do a mini-course, and sometimes a whole year. You only get so many chances to teach, inspire, and mentor others. My advice to you is to take it seriously. Don’t be frivolous with this responsibility.

Rabbi Feinstein often reminds the staff at VBS of the precious words from the Torah, “be a blessing.” As a father of two wonderful sons, I understand and internalize this everyday of my life.

I love the youth at VBS and in the Far West Region of USY. Even though I have already had great moments like the above mentioned facebook message recently, I am constantly reminding myself about the importance of carrying myself in a menschlich manner. Being respectful and kind to every person (especially the youth) in my presence.

The youth at VBS are all, our blessings.

-Ami Monson, Director of Youth Engagement