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YU News

YU Trains the Next Generation of Leaders at Camp

As the flagship Jewish university, Yeshiva University is dedicated to training the future leaders of tomorrow through intensive courses and rigorous study. But who says you can’t have a little fun in the sun every once and a while? The Yeshiva University Camp Morasha, NCSY Kollel and Camp HASC programs allow YU undergraduates to work at camp and get college credit. Experiencing the best of both worlds, they can enjoy their summer break and make meaningful connections with their fellow counselors and campers, while also furthering their education and fostering their leadership skills in a supportive academic environment. At Camp Morasha, counselors will be able to enroll in Jewish Communal Leadership in the 21st Century, a two-credit course that explores the intersection between successful leadership, Jewish values and today’s rapidly evolving Jewish community. Taught by Rabbi Larry Rothwachs, head rabbi of Camp Morasha and director of professional rabbinics at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, the class runs from June 29 through August 17. Jewish Communal Leadership in the 21st Century will also be offered to madrichim [group leaders] at NCSY Kollel. The course runs from July 4 through August 15 and will also be taught by Rabbi Rothwachs. Finally, Rabbi Yehuda Willig, rabbi of Camp HASC and a maggid shiur [shiur teacher] at Yeshiva University, will oversee the HASC Internship program. This two-credit experiential internship combines lessons from world-class educators gleaned from the Torah’s wisdom and our deep value of chesed [charity] and developing a community steeped in kindness with hands-on experience working with individuals with special needs. The internship runs from June 29 through August 15. “These courses provide students with a unique opportunity to pursue their summer interests, while further advancing their academic careers,” said Rabbi Dr. Yosef Kalinsky, dean of undergraduate Torah studies at Yeshiva University. “By deepening our relationships and recognizing the essential role young adults play at HASC, NCSY and Camp Morasha, we hope to provide their staff with the critical tools to further their development as thoughtful and caring leaders.” “Through open discussion with my classmates and Rabbi Rothwachs, we didn’t just learn that it’s incumbent upon us to be leaders in our communities. We learned how to be leaders,” added Eli Jesselson ‘25SB, who participated in the program in the past.