G.U.C.I. Is Home

                                                                 

                                                                                           September 1994


Dear GUCI Staff:


I write you this letter as the holiest time of our year approaches (the second holiest time being mid-June thru mid-August).  The ten days starting with Rosh Ha Shanah and culminating with the beautiful Ni’ilah service on Yom Kippur afternoon are deemed to be a time for intense reflection, self-evaluation, and dedication to improving our lives and relationships in the new year.  This time period is traditionally called the Days of Awe, and is to be taken seriously.

This year, my own personal days of awe have been extended, stretched to the limit.  They began last December when I was called to New York to discuss my leaving Goldman Union Camp and becoming the new Associate Director of the UAHC Youth Division.  I hadn’t been thinking about leaving camp.  Never-the-less this opportunity plunked itself down in my lap and began several months of reflection and introspection.  The idea of directing the entire country’s Reform youth program was very appealing.  The timing was right.  I accepted the job and set about preparing myself emotionally to say good-bye to my twenty years as Director of our camp and OVFTY.  The summer came and went with all of its intensity and diversity.  My friends and colleagues, campers and staff embarrassed me with their thanks and good wishes, even gifts and contributions in my honor.  Yet, I must admit that there was something unreal about what was happening, something not quite right.  I really busied myself with the work of camp to insulate myself from the hard reality of the finality of the summer.

My days of awe came to a crashing conclusion this week, a few days before the “real” ones are supposed to begin.  Juca and I traveled to New York.  While we were there and upon our return it was becoming clear that all was wrong where it should have been right.  All of the emotions came to the surface, pushing away the clouds that began covering my eyes last winter and dimmed my vision throughout the summer.  Last Friday night it all became clear to me.  This is my home, this is where I belong, and this is where I do my best work.  I am a Camp Director and a Rabbi.  GUCI is my home, it is my congregation.  It has a deep hold on my heart.

At 10:00 PM last Friday night; I officially notified my supervisor that I was turning down the offer for the new position.  I will remain the Director of our camp and OVFTY.  A great weight was lifted.  I learned so very much this year about myself and what’s really important.  My inability to see the light in a timelier manner has caused some grief to some people.  For that I am truly sorry.  It was never my intent.  But now that I have come to this understanding, I rejoice with my family as these extended days of awe conclude, and we anticipate the beginning of the next ten Days of Awe on Monday evening.

I’m sure I’ll write more about his as the year proceeds.  For now, I wish you and your families a Shanah Tovah, all the best in 5755.  And, I’m happy to say that I’ll see you at camp next summer.

Ron

You Gotta Love Your Work

                                                                                                                
A friend asked me about this old blog entry, so here it is again.  Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom.

Ron
                                                                                        November, 1989


Dear G.U.C.I. Staff:


I happened to catch about twenty minutes of the Phil Donohue show yesterday,
the guest was the famous entertainer George Burns.  Mr. Burns is 93 years old
and has been in the entertainment business since he was a boy.  You might have
seen some of the old George Burns and Gracie Allen TV shows, usually rerun at 2
or 3 a.m., I was raised on them.  When asked by someone in the audience
yesterday about how Mr. Burns maintained his interest in his profession over so
many years he replied, "Whatever you do in life, you gotta love your work."  In
one short sentence, George Burns summarized many thoughts I have been having
over the past few years. 

I have often been asked by my Rabbinic collegues, and by others who have known
me for some time, how I can keep up my enthusiasm for camp after so many
years.  Next summer will be my sixteenth here at the Goldman camp.  But, I've
really been involved in Union Camping all my life.  It all began when I first
went to Union Institute (now Olin-Sang-Ruby) in Oconomowoc, Wis. as a camper in
1958. That led to fifteen summers at that camp before I came to Zionsville. 
I've been a camper, Machonick, Counselor, Waterfront Director, Unit Head (for
six summers), Program Director, Assistant Camp Director, and Camp Director. 
While many of the people with whom I graduated H.U.C. in 1977 have changed jobs
two, three, and four times, I began my directorship at Goldman Camp while still
studying in Cincinnati and here I have stayed.  I guess they consider me
strange (no doubt so do some of you).

Well, George Burns answered the question.  "You gotta love your work."  I am a
very lucky person to have a job I love.  Each summer has been different,
challenging in its own way, and above all never boring.  Sure every job has its
negatives, I spend many weekends on the road for camp, summertime backyard
barbecues are unknown to my family, I eat, sleep, and breathe with 300 other
people for eleven weeks each summer, I work when other "normal" people are off
(weekends and summer) so my family's social life is difficult.  Never-the-less
I'm lucky because I love my work.
                               
I just returned from the U.A.H.C. Biennial in New Orleans.  Four thousand
Reform Jews convened for this convention.  Personally, it was an exhilarating 
experience.  In addition to just being a part of this great gathering, I ran
into so many camp people from all of my years in Union Camping.  Among them
were Rabbis Jim Bennett, Jon Stein, Jon Adland, Steve Foster, Sam Joseph, Lewis
Kamrass, Gerry Walter (Gerry and I were co-counselors in 1965), Chet Diamond,
Billy Dreskin, Sol Greenberg, Steve Fuchs, Steve Fink, Michael Zedek, Danny
Gottlieb, Gary Zola along with Mark Glickman, Joel Block, Sherri Oppenheim,
Stacey and Jeff Linkon, Debbie Morgan. David Barrett, Ronnie Brockman, and
Sharon Katz.  There were many, many more.  My heart swelled every time someone
recalled their fond memories of time spent in camp.  So many good feelings and
warm memories.  I'm lucky to have a job that brings me in contact with
wonderful people.  And I'm lucky to have the opportunity to be creative, and
help others.

Most of you will be starting your careers in the next few years.  The choices
you make are among the most important of your life.  I hope you'll be as lucky
as I've been.   As you venture out into the world remember that money is
important, but its not everything.  And remember George Burns, 93 years old,
sitting with his cigar, telling it like it is; "Whatever you do in life, you
gotta love your work."

Ron