Many of you may have seen in the news that the Portland Association of Teachers removed the lesson plans, videos, teaching materials, and their “Know Your Rights” guide from their website.

In a newsletter to its more than 4,000 members on Tuesday, the union's leadership voted to remove the links and to “temporarily remove and revise” the “Know Your Rights” guide, with a plan to repost an “updated guide” at a later date. The newsletter said the removals were in response to feedback from teachers. We believe it was more than that.

Here is an excellent piece by Pat Dooris, host of The Story on KGW-TV, about the PAT and this entire issue. Please watch the video.

For the May 31 edition of Marc’s Remarks, I had every intention to share some “lessons learned” on the occasion of my 30^th anniversary in the Jewish Federation field. Unfortunately, that week, the PAT issue came to the fore and I felt compelled to write about that. I want to revisit the idea and share an abbreviated list of things I now better understand along the way:

• Leadership begins with taking responsibility.

• Always begin by asking, “What does success look like?” Then figure out how to get there.

• Believe in and trust the people you work with. They make you better.

• There is a delicate balance between impatience and patience.

• “Tradition is peer pressure from dead people.” Always challenge existing ideas and approaches to constantly improve them -- otherwise, we will never learn anything that our elders did not know.

• People support what they help to create. (My first supervisor's favorite expression.)

• Be hyper-responsive.

Trust me, there are plenty more.

I also keep a list of “stories” that have happened in my career to remind (maybe better, humble) myself about the “oys and joys” of the job. I have had some incredible experiences. I can tell you stories about meeting famous actors and politicians, journalists, former U.S. presidents, Israeli prime ministers, and, the Prime Minister of Jordan (originally was to meet with King Abdullah II but that changed, which adds to the story), Yasser Arafat, and the Dalai Lama all on the same day. Those stories will have to wait.

But here are two stories that I remind myself of all the time:

In 2001, I was the Campaign Director at the Jewish Federation in Baltimore and we were planning a series of telethons (think multiple Super Sundays) during the week of Halloween. I had a brilliant idea (at least I thought so) to send the flier invitation in dark orange envelopes (Halloween themed colors) and put no return address on the envelope thinking it would make people more apt to open it. We mailed out 1,100 orange envelopes.

The next day, with the mail soon to arrive in people’s mailboxes, there was an anthrax scare in Washington, DC. Several leaders in DC were receiving odd envelopes with white powder. Suddenly, the Jewish Federation phones were ringing off the hook with calls from local police and the FBI. Community members were receiving strange orange envelopes with no return address and were genuinely concerned they were being attacked. OY! I learned quickly that I have a lot of ideas, yet not all of them are good ideas. But, be honest, what were the chances?

Second, as I mentioned, I have met some incredible people in my years in the Jewish federation system. You can learn a lot about someone based on how they treat others. I must “call out” Henry Winkler and Dick Vitale as possibly the two greatest examples of famous people who personify kindness, joy, and humility.

I had the opportunity to spend quality time with both men before their respective speaking engagements. They were happy to say hello to anyone who came over to them. Henry asked people questions about themselves and really listened (one day I will share how wonderful he was to my wife). You could feel that he was genuinely interested. While Dick was exactly as you saw him on TV announcing a basketball game -- full of energy and excitement. When meeting people, especially the first person to acknowledge him if there was a group of people, he would pull out a notecard and pen and ask them to write their name and address so he could send them a signed photo. Pretty cool! Both men are true mensches (menschen?) and wonderful examples that it does not cost anything to be kind to others.

With school out – that means it is time for summer camp! There are so many incredible camp opportunities -- day and overnight – many tailored to people’s interests and needs.

Personally, I love Jewish overnight camp! Camp is a significant rite of passage for so many that creates wonderful memories. In fact, today is the 35^th anniversary of my “first date” with my wife -- we were both counselors at a Jewish overnight camp in the Pocono Mountains.

This year, our community has over 700 children attending 17 different Jewish overnight camps across North America. That does not even include the hundreds of others at local Jewish day camps. Our goal is to see even more children have this important Jewish immersive experience. The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland is proud to provide One Happy Camper incentive grants to first-time campers. Studies show that 80% of children go back for a second summer.

During these most challenging times, camps are even more important against the backdrop of rising antisemitism and fear. Campers and counselors desperately need time to unplug and simply experience Jewish joy with their new/old friends. For anyone who has ever attended, Jewish overnight camp nurtures personal growth, resiliency, emotional intelligence, and teaches many life lessons. It also provides a much-needed reprieve from the stress and uncertainty of the outside world. It creates a “bubble” where campers and staff can foster meaningful connections, strengthen their Jewish identities, and cultivate a deep sense of belonging and community.

Together, we are investing in our Jewish community as campers and staff members become equipped with the pride, knowledge, and skills to help connect these Jewish values and experiences back home and in their respective lives. I hope everyone has a safe and fun summer!

Shabbat shalom.