Fall Kallah 5775 - November 21-23, 2015

Thirty-eight 9th-12th grade RYFTI teens traveled to Camp Bournedale in Plymouth, MA for Fall Kallah, November 21-23, 2014.  This wonderful group of young TI leaders worked together to explore the nature of creativity.

They began their entirely peer-developed, peer-led thematic learning by comparing creation to innovation, and wondered which of those processes is actually available to human beings.

Next, they examined the creative process by testing the relationship between creativity and constraint. They then reached the heart of their exploration by asking why human beings are driven to be creative.

They concluded their learning with a comparison of human and divine creativity.

In addition to their study of various sources and to their many thematic conversations and activities, they led one another in worship, sang together, and threw it back to the beginning of their educational journeys with a fun and hilarious circuit of activities called “RYFTI Preschool.”

In an evaluation of the kallah, an 11th grader wrote: "Just such an amazing weekend, always. People here are so smart and nonjudgmental, and I feel absolutely free whenever I am here" and a 9th grader shared, "It was a really good experience and was super fun, and I'm glad I went!" Our teens continue to use their kallot to take ownership of their Jewish identities in innovative and exciting ways, and to build and strengthen their relationships in the TI teen community.  If that sounds good to you, then don’t miss Clergy Weekend, May 8-10, 2015!

RYFTI teens who were involved in planning the weekend, or took leadership roles during the kallah included (name, followed by grade in parentheses):

Program 1 (Creation & Innovation) Team
Michael Marget  (11)
Louie Goldsmith (10)
Michael Garb (10)

Program 2 (Inspiration Through Limitation) Team
Talia Putnoi (11)
Rebecca Wishnie (11)
Nina Miller (10)

Program 3 (Our Creative Selves) Team
Marc Davis (12)
Ben Groustra (11)
Marjie Rowe (10)

Program 4 (Divine Creativity) Team
Rosa Stern Pait (11)
Talia Rubenstein (11)
Abby Rosovsky (11)
Calvin Lyster (10)

Social Program (RYFTI Preschool) Team
Sophia Rintell (12)
Mariel Ehrlich (12)
Rebecca Wishnie (11)
Ayden Mallory (11)
Charlotte Borden (12)

Shabbat Services Planned and Led By
Michael Marget (11)

Songleader
Talia Rubenstein (11)

Torah Chanters
Josh Davis (9)
Petra Huang (9)
Sarah Groustra (9)

Other teens (e.g. Lily Sher, 12) assisted program leaders by facilitating text studies and discussions.