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Doing More With Less
 By
Michelle Rubin
Florida State University
As we begin the new year, we may be starting off on a different foot than we
did at this time last year. Our Jewish institutions have lost a lot of money as
a result of the recession, and our programming budgets are pretty tiny. Tiny
programming budgets?? What are we to do? How are we to put together programs
worth attending, programs that feed people? How are we to keep Judaism alive on
campus without money? It's a tough question, my friends, that puts us face to
face with a reality that is not as harsh as you may think.
First things first. If you must serve food, serve cheap food. Pasta, cookies,
carrots. Meat is expensive, as are fancy cheesecakes and caviar. Now that that
is out of the way, take the focus away from the food. Offhandedly mention it
will be there, but highlight something else to be the star of the program. For
example, if you are planning a program about Jews in Morocco, emphasize the
awesome music you will be introducing and cool new words attendees will learn.
Perhaps you will serve couscous, but it pales in comparison to the program
highlights.
Don't forget the core of our organizations: Judaism. I know, I know, students
don't want it shoved down their throats and may be intimidated by Hebrew or text
study. But it can be done gently, with little pain or awareness. Perhaps slip it
in through activities involving other key points of the organization, like
camaraderie, creativity, and tikkun olam (social justice). But no
matter its color, a rose is a rose, and no matter its presentation, Judaism is
Judaism, and Judaism is what we're all about.
While we may be poorer financially, we are no less rich. We have amazing brains
that can work wonders when we try to work through tough situations. Use your
noggin to think of creative solutions and alternatives to things we once paid
for with money. We need to take to heart the words of Pirkei Avot "Who is rich?
He who is satisfied with his lot." Go forth to your campuses, KOACHers,
and be satisfied with your lot, and create programming that would make your Ima
(mother) proud!
Michelle Rubin is a senior majoring in political science and history. She is
a former KOACH intern at Florida State University.
[Posted 9/18/09]
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