On Thursday, March 20, the Rambam Civic Spirit Club had their main event of the year. At 7:20 in the morning, the students got on the bus to the historic Tweed Courthouse in Manhattan’s financial district. They sat down with eight schools from Washington, DC, to New Jersey – private and public alike – for opening remarks at around 9:30 a.m., where the students were treated with coffee and snacks as they headed down to their activities.
On the third floor, the students assembled. Led by a Jewish comedy duo, they were instructed to play improv games to break the ice, along with unlocking civic skills of leadership, speech, and connectivity. Next, they were led back upstairs for a leadership “auction,” were randomly assigned groups of students were given $300 to purchase skills against the rest. This wondrous activity showed the value we place on certain skills and helped build an understanding of what qualities are most sought after in a leader.
Taking a break, it was now time for lunch. Pizza was served along with fries, garlic nuts, and noodles, as the students were able to connect with one another and relate. Yet there was still much to do.
Next up was a presentation to discover your “civic love language,” followed by a panel featuring three notable civic leaders: a media expert, a government official, and Rambam’s own esteemed Judge Ronald Goldman, who discussed his time in the District Attorney’s Office and a life in civic leadership. These speeches really influenced the students and left them with a message that would stick. As the event ended and the students were on their way home, they left having a great experience and self-growth, truly happy to be a part of it all. Special thanks to Rambam’s Civic Spirit Faculty Advisor, Mr. Oren Teeter, for running this year’s Civic Spirit Club.
