Rabbi Michael “Mickey” Baum named “Youth Worker of the Month” North American Recognition for his Dedication to Long Island Area Youth
NEW YORK – February 1, 2007 – Rabbi Michael Baum of The Suburban Temple in Wantagh, NY, was named as February’s “Youth Worker of the Month” by the Union for Reform Judaism.
Rabbi Baum’s dedication to his work is what led to this award. “Mickey runs two programs with approximately 75 youngsters grades 6-12,” wrote Howard Lev, member of the Board of Trustees at Suburban Temple. “He plans, runs and attends all activities. Mickey has a sense of humor, has the respect of the children and parents, acts as a confidant, and is not afraid to ask for help, offer an opinion or pitch in when needed.”
Rabbi Baum, writing about his program, said, “My proudest moment was when a few of my graduates came back to tell me that they had applied for and were hired as youth directors in the local Synagogues where they are attending College. They told me that I had inspired them and they wanted to pass that on to the next generation of kids. And that is why I work with youth.”
The “Youth Worker of the Month” award recognizes the talent, dedication and commitment of outstanding youth workers. Each “Youth Worker of the Month” recipient is nominated by a supervisor or peer and is featured for a month on www.RJyouthworker.org. The recipient also receives a book, compliments of the URJ Press, and a gift certificate to Barnes & Noble.
Additionally, winners will be recognized during the URJ Youth Worker's Conference to be held February 16-20, 2007 in Philadelphia, PA. This conference, held every other year, draws together more than 200 of North America’s best youth workers, and this year will focus on informal education in the synagogue, as well as how to teach ethics and morality to modern teenagers.
Recognizing that there are differences in the role of youth workers from congregation to congregation, the Union for Reform Judaism has created www.RJyouthworker.org, an interactive website designed to provide resources and support to Reform Jewish youth workers around the world. With message boards, as well as listings for programs and professional development opportunities, RJyouthworker addresses the needs of the Reform Movement’s diverse cadre of Jewish youth workers.
For more information, visit www.RJyouthworker.org.
The Union for Reform Judaism (formerly the Union of American Hebrew Congregations) is the central body of Reform Judaism in North America, uniting 1.5 million Reform Jews in more than 900 synagogues. Union services include camps, music and book publishing, outreach to unaffiliated and intermarried Jews, educational programs, and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in Washington, D.C.
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