Reports from Around the Country

The weekend with Mitch Chefitz was amazing. A fantastic speaker and storyteller, Mitch captivated everyone with his insights, stories, and humor. His intergenerational teaching at our Sunday morning Beit Midrash managed to speak to both adults and children. Although many teachings strive to be intergenerational, Mitch's succeeded at a very deep level, increasing not just comprehension but enjoyment in learning as well. Parents and their children were still discussing it days later. His workshops on unpacking Hassidic stories enabled people to learn to see the hidden meanings in the stories, and develop a deeper appreciation for the Jewish mystical tradition. We are definitely planning to invite him back for another Scholar-In-Residence weekend.
Rabbi David B. Thomas, Congregation Beth El of the Sudbury River Valley, MA

Rabbi Chefitz's visit to our congregation had a tremendous impact on every congregant who attended one of his sessions. His storytelling during Shabbat Evening services had both adults and children, some quite young, sitting very quietly, mesmerized by every word. The group that attended our Torah discussion session on Saturday mornings learned how to read the biblical text in a different way, understanding some of the complexities of the text, and realizing that once you study Torah in such a manner, your view on Jewish concepts is forever changed. The service without a Siddur led by Mitch was an amazing lesson for all of us. People were able to understand the true meaning of kavanah. We will take some of Mitch's teachings into our weekly services. His intergenerational program with our Religious School children and their parents, grandparents, and adult friends, was fantastic. We had 100% satisfaction in our feedback forms. Many people have asked us if we can have him come two or three times a year! All in all, this was one of our best scholar-in-residence programs!
Sandra Lilienthal, Director of Lifelong Learning, Congregation Kol Tikvah, Parkland, FL

We heard overwhelming positive feedback on the entire weekend with Rabbi Chefitz -- the most enthusiastic response ever for events I have organized. Many could not recall a more engaging weekend. Temple members were enthralled with his stories and teachings. Everyone I spoke to was very excited about the creative and involving style of prayer he showed us. We will never be able to look at a prayer book in the same accepting way, and we think that's a step up to a higher level for us. We feel that exposure to these ideas must gradually bring change. We felt the way in which he gave completely of himself for us. Indeed, he left a lot behind here!
Riva Shulman, Executive Director, Temple Emanuel of South Hills Pittsburgh, PA

Mitch's presence in our community brought together many disparate groups. A very high-level lay group, composed of "bleeding heart Liberals" and "hard nosed Republicans" were drawn together by their fascination with his books. Together they created an ambitious and dynamic program. Mitch drew a very large audience, with every congregation in the city participating. Every part of the process was exciting and satisfying.
Joyce Litt, Book Fair Coordinator, Jewish Community Center, Austin, TX

Mitch was wonderful. We totally enjoyed it! On Friday night, we drew a record crowd in spite of extreme cold. The Sunday program, using the "bean bag of tradition," also went very well. I had a ball and both parents and kids enjoyed themselves.
Rabbi Paul Caplan, Temple Anshe Sholom, Olympia Fields, IL

A wonderful speaker, very engaging, just a pleasure to work with, warm and gracious, gladly took all the time necessary after the talk, in spite of having a long day. The people who took him back and forth to the airports thought of it as a privilege. We wish he could have stayed longer.
Lynn Fleischer, Book Fair, Jewish Federation of Nashville, TN