Last weekend, Year 10 students enjoyed their Hadracha seminar at Wombat Corner in the Dandenong Ranges. Led by the J-Life team, students put leadership skills into practice. The seminar’s emphasis was on leadership as taking responsibility, and that everyone is capable of being a leader. 

Student Tash Freiberg wrote this beautiful reflection of the camp:

“In all honesty, when I first heard about a Shabbaton that went over the weekend, I was pretty annoyed that I’d be missing out on my two days off. However, I probably had a better weekend there than I ever could have otherwise.

I came to the leadership camp with a weary attitude. I wondered how I was going to participate in activities, what those activities would be, and what the group dynamic would be like. When we arrived at camp on Friday afternoon, Yoel informed all of us that by the end of the camp all of us would have formed more and better social connections. I trusted Yoel of course, but I didn’t know how that was going to work out. In actuality, I found myself connecting with many people that I don’t usually hang out with at school, and I was amazed at what a beautiful, inclusive and kind year level we have (not surprised, but amazed). 

We were put into multiple groups throughout the camp for many different activities, the best of which, in my opinion, being the Havdalah Restaurant. In that activity, we were put into groups at random, sat by the light of the fire, ate pretzels and chips, and asked each other questions. Some of the answers were silly, some were insightful, some were unpredictable, but all of them furthered my knowledge and brought me closer to my classmates. A student in my group wisely pointed out that we have just over three years left together as a cohort, so we should make the most of it.

Throughout the camp we learned about how atmospheres can contribute to different types of learning experiences, how to get people’s attention and stand up as a leader, and many of us even got the opportunity to lead ourselves. I learned, in leading my activity, the challenges of leadership. Sometimes people will chat and lose concentration, which is only natural and simply human nature, but can still be a bit annoying to the presenter. Luckily, I found a fun way in which I could get people’s attention: a call and response. I also learned the delights of being a leader. I saw how happy and engaged my peers were with my activity. I had the privilege of knowing that it was my game and my activity that got everyone so chatty and engaged. That’s one of the joys of leadership; admiring your work.

However, running a class activity is not the only way to be a leader. As Yoel pointed out, one of the biggest leaders of our generation, Greta Thunberg, started out by just sitting alone in the streets with a protest sign. When students want a change in the school, like the adding or removing of five minute breaks between classes, students can be leaders by approaching the teachers and having a discussion. 

Before I attended this camp, I thought that I was not a good leader at all, but after the camp, I feel like I have always had the inner-leader locked somewhere in my mind, the J-life team just had to find the key.

In summary, that was one of the best camps I have ever had at The King David School. Sure, activities like hiking and climbing mountains and swimming are incredibly fun, but in a truly cliche fashion, nothing can beat the connections of friendship and leadership.

After the camp, I, as well as many other students, feel pumped and ready for our leadership roles in the school to come.”