I think about authenticity a lot.
I’m fairly certain one significant reason is that I work
with pre-teens and teens - and they will not hesitate to call you out for a
lack of authenticity. I actually believe that this is why I have had such great
successes in building relationships with teens – because I have proven my
willingness to walk the walk and not just talk the talk.
This holds true to inclusion. Authenticity is a key element
to ensuring that a community’s inclusive efforts aren’t just words on a page,
but rather an integral part of who they are and all they do.
When asked how it came to be that I would staff a URJ Kesher Birthright trip to Israel this Winter cycle, I readily share the two reasons: