Because I am an older child and because I am a writer, I like to have the last word. And not that this post has to be the last one either, but I wanted to address some of the thoughtful comments that resurfaced about the GA (General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America) in response to what I wrote about it here, last week. There was some feedback that reinforced the article (that it was not a conference meant for students) and some that addressed some different ideas, highlighting how young adults spearheaded the social media that covered the event.
I already disclaimed that I didn’t have the typical “student” experience at the GA. I was part of Hagshama’s Do The Write Thing (DTWT) track, which focused on Jewish journalism. However, I find the experiences of the “typical” student delegates to be much more interesting.
Granted, I only spoke with students in the Pittsburgh delegation. But my impression from speaking (online and offline) with the students from Pittsburgh is that they had a really “amazing” experience. They were able to leave our gray, steely city for a few days, make connections with people from their school and others across the country, and get a glimpse of the world that is Jewish development, social action, and networking.
What I heard again and again was: plenary and Service Day. Those were the highlights. Not the sessions, not the workshops, not the networking breakfast or the student dinner. They loved plenary for the chance to be in the same room as some of their role models and to hear them speak first-hand, and they loved the Service Day for the impact it had on the community, the chance to meet other students, and to get out of the hotel.
But other than these structured activities, a lot of students didn’t know what to do, or how to do it. Sure, they could go to sessions, but as we’ve established, they didn’t feel like those were “for them.” Sure, they could schmooze, but where to begin?
These aren’t excuses for the students, but an explanation of where students might have been coming from in their thoughts and criticisms. Already, I’ve heard excited rumblings about the 2011 GA in Colorado. My advice to students (at any school) who decide to go? Be a filter, not a sponge.
