Student Leadership

Leadership Training

At Ma’ayanot, everyone has the opportunity to not only step up and lead but to learn practical skills through which they can succeed as leaders. Through leadership training programs during orientation and midterms, G.O. and Committee heads have the opportunity to set personal leadership goals as well as come up with a vision for what they want their committees to accomplish over the course of the year. The Leadership Training Program is carefully crafted in a way in which students can choose the best possible sessions that will be the most practical for them. These sessions include learning helpful websites to use when making a program flyer, hearing from social media experts about how to successfully publicize events and raise attendance levels at programs, and learning about group dynamics and teamwork skills from Experiential Education experts. Students leave Leadership Training Seminars with a toolbox of practical skills and empower them to step up as successful leaders of Ma’ayanot.

The Leadership Training Program is carefully crafted in a way in which students can choose the best possible sessions that will be the most practical for them. These sessions include learning helpful websites to use when making a program flyer, hearing from social media experts about how to successfully publicize events and raise attendance levels at programs, and learning about group dynamics and teamwork skills from Experiential Education experts. Students leave Leadership Training Seminars with a toolbox of practical skills that empower them to step up as successful leaders of Ma’ayanot.

Experiential Programming

At Ma’ayanot, learning is brought to life through many experiential educational programs. Shabbatonim and other programs are filled with dynamic discussions with Jewish role models from our faculty and greater community. For example, students learn about Tzedaka through role-playing different scenarios and being asked to prioritize different causes to which a donation will be made in their grade’s name. During Color War, students take on the role of educators, teaching themselves about the educational themes of the competition. Experiential Programming at Ma’ayanot ensures that learning is dynamic, relevant, exciting, and fun for our student body.

Color War

Color War is one of the highlights of the year. It is a two-day experiential learning program filled with ruach, energy, friendly competition and school spirit. It encourages students to step up to assume leadership roles and express themselves through sports, art, dance, song, drama, Torah, knowledge competitions and more. Color War creates an atmosphere of energy, school unity and school spirit. Every year, Color War has an educational theme and students create projects, dances and songs that reflect the theme. The effects of Color War continue to be felt throughout the rest of the school year, inspiring individual students to get more involved in academic and extracurricular events.

Shabbatons

The Annual School Shabbaton is a wonderful opportunity for our students to spend a Shabbat together, exploring a Torah theme; growing spiritually, feeling a sense of school unity and spirit, interacting with students in their own and other grades, and connecting with their teachers outside of the classroom. Additionally, each grade participates in a Grade Shabbaton every spring in a different community, which affords an opportunity for grade-wide bonding and spending time with faculty and their families.

G.O.: Student Government

Serving on the Ma’ayanot G.O. is a wonderful opportunity for students to get more involved in Ma’ayanot and step up as leaders of the student body. Ma’ayanot G.O. is comprised of a dynamic group of students who have a lot of school spirit and want to work to make Ma’ayanot a more fun and friendly place for all students. Ma’ayanot G.O. members take an active role in planning and implementing programs throughout the year, including Shabbatonim, grade bonding events, and special holiday celebrations. Through this experience, G.O. members learn about themselves and their leadership abilities, as well as the value of working as a part of a team.

MIPAC: Israel Advocacy

MIPAC (Ma’ayanot Israel Political Action Committee) is a great way for students to learn how to advocate for Israel and have opportunities to put these skills into action. MIPAC organizes speakers for the student body, who present about important issues facing Israel today. These topics include: responding to the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement, defending Israel in the media, and the challenge of moral equivalence in the Gaza War. Students take an active role in studying Israeli current events and keeping their classmates informed. Students have the unique opportunity to lobby for Israel’s security and strengthen the America-Israel relationship through participating in AIPAC’s Schusterman High School Summit, Saban Leadership Conference, Policy Conference, YU Israel Club Lobbying Mission, and NORPAC.

Student Appreciation Breakfast

The Student Appreciation Breakfast is our annual end-of-the-year awards ceremony and celebration of a year of school spirit and growth. Featuring a delicious, festive breakfast and a video with highlights of the year, the Student Appreciation Breakfast is also an opportunity for both students and faculty to recognize students who contributed to school life or stepped up in leadership roles.