Full circle at Counterpoint
AS a teenager, Benji Levy always looked forward to the time of year when he could pack his bags and set off for Counterpoint camp in Stanwell Tops.
AS a teenager, Benji Levy always looked forward to the time of year when he could pack his bags and set off for Counterpoint camp in Stanwell Tops.
Later, he returned as a young adult to serve as head counsellor, while completing his rabbinic studies in Israel.
Now, more than a decade from when he first began, the 25-year-old rabbi and his wife, Renana, who are based in Israel, have returned to Sydney to take over the directorship of Moriah College’s flagship program.
This past month, the husband-and-wife duo – along with an international team of madrichim (leaders) mostly from Israel – ran the residential seminars focusing on Jewish studies for more than 600 students in years 8-11.
“We aspire to inspire students in the formative years to grow and develop as leaders in their own right,” said Rabbi Levy, who is also in Sydney as scholar-in-residence at Mizrachi Synagogue and is completing a PhD in Jewish civilisation, thought and culture at the University of Sydney.
His wife, also 25, originally from the United States, is completing a master’s degree in social work and has served as a senior youth leader.
As part of the program, students explored a range of topics, including living in generation Y, the bystander effect, intermarriage, Shabbat, modern Zionism and Israel advocacy.
They also took part in activities such as hikes and singing sessions, where counsellors – many of whom are trained musicians – perform with the students.
“We deal with Jewish values and Zionist ideals in a contemporary context,” the rabbi said. “We try to challenge them with global ideas from which they can shape local ideals.”
So far, the feedback has been positive.
“The students especially loved the madrichim,” said Rabbi Levy, who, along with his wife, handpicked all of the counsellors in Israel. “We’ve been through the system, and we know what to look for. We’re also on the ground.”
Students also seemed to appreciate the fact that the directors were young and could relate to them more easily.
Ultimately, Rabbi Levy said, his recipe for success was “to surround myself with successful people”.
“We had such an amazing team.”
CHANTAL ABITBOL
Moriah College students at Counterpoint camp this year
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