Followers

Thursday, June 08, 2006

Rabbi seeks tools to help spread joys of Judaism

By Deborah Moon Seldner
Jewish Review


At the beginning of his career in Jewish leadership, Rabbi Chayim Mishulovin said he feels fortunate to be one of the leaders selected to participate in the Portland Jewish Leadership Institute.
Convened and funded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, the PJLI is designed to strengthen the Jewish community's leadership base for all agencies, congregations and organizations by teaching participants the personal, leadership and analytic skills needed in the 21st century. Over the next few months, the Jewish Review will profile several participants.
Mishulovin said he hopes "to apply the skills that I have acquired from the professionals and my colleagues to do whatever I can to bring the warmth and joy of Judaism to the 25,000 Jews of greater Portland. In turn, they will strengthen our organizations and help build our community."
Mishulovin is involved in Jewish outreach in many areas. He is co-director of Chabad of Oregon's many community programs and activities including Gan Israel Day Camp and the Everything Jewish Gift Shop. He is a member of the Rabbinical Council of Oregon and the JFGP's Community Relations Committee.
He and his wife, Simi, who is also a PJLI participant, have an 18-month-old son Shmuel Dovid and a 3-month-old daughter Chaya Mushka.
Mishulovin said he has been very impressed by the individual participants and the material in the leadership program.
"There is nothing like having members from so many diverse organizations getting together, networking, schmoozing and just becoming friends," he said. "The material? What could be better than studying the thoughts and teachings of Moses, Maimonides and going on to modern-day Jewish leaders who led and lead the Jewish people. If it worked for them, it might just work again for us."
"The Portland Jewish community has been blessed with many Jewish organizations to serve it," said Mishulovin. "Each organization is powerful and influential—each one in their own way. Imagine they took all that power and influence and put it in one room. That room is the room where my wife, myself and 27 other current and future members of boards and committees of Jewish Portland meet once a month."

No comments: