5 Questions for Thinking about Mentoring and Relationship-Building

The URJ Youth Summit is underway in Chicago, IL, where it’s running parallel to NFTY Convention, bringing together a total of more than 1,400 Reform Jewish teens and educators from across North America. The Youth Summit is an opportunity for educators to hone their skills around supporting, nurturing, and educating teens. While they’re here, they’ll be inspired by experts in the field who will help guide them in creating a new language of mentorship, agency, and partnership as it relates to youth engagement.

Friday’s opening plenary kicked off with addresses from Michelle Shapiro Abraham, MAJE, RJE, the URJ’s director of learning and innovation (youth), and Dr. Betsy Stone, a psychologist and a beloved teacher at HUC-JIR. Both presenters addressed the group about mentoring and relationship-building.

Whether or not you’re able to join us for the Youth Summit, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some of the points raised during the opening session. Visit the Youth Engagement group in The Tent, the Reform Movement’s online collaboration and communications platform, to answer these questions and continue the conversation with fellow educators.

1. What comes to mind when you think of the word “mentor”?
2. Think of a mentoring relationship that works and one that doesn’t work. What is the difference?
3. “Good mentoring moves from relationship to relationship.” What does that mean to you?
4. What should be the goal of a good mentoring relationship?
5. What are some reasons that a mentoring relationship might now work?

The Youth Summit only lasts through the weekend – but the conversations are just beginning!

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