Lindsey: Why did you decide to apply for the Assistant Director position at URJ Crane Lake Camp last year?

Brett: I love Crane Lake and I just didn’t want to leave. It was the perfect opportunity to stay and continue to grow in my second home. And of course, I wanted to be able to have the Crane Lake mac and cheese all the time.

Lindsey: While at camp, what do you do as the Assistant Director?

Brett: When I wake up each morning I check in with Unit Heads about programming and meet with any staff members that have cool ideas for their units. Once the campers arrive, I am looking forward to going around and participating in every unit’s activities. I like to make sure everyone I pass has a smile on their face and I of course love giving high fives (but I make sure to use purell after).

Lindsey: Is there anything you learned as a camper/machon/counselor/unit head that helps you as Assistant Director?

Brett: It is nice to know what the CLC experience is all about. I am able to make new and exciting additions to camp. I also know how to win fight song!

Lindsey: How have you grown over the last year?

Brett: Over the last year in this position, I have become more aware of how actions affect others. I learned many new things through several unique experiences I had. For example, I am a part of the Global Jewish Leader Fellowship that brought together progressive Jewish leaders from the United States, Israel and Eastern Europe. Through this I learned that my vision of Reform Judaism is one of many around the world. I was able to learn and appreciate Reform Judaism in a new and transformative way. The way I approach work has morphed into more than just my job at camp. As a Global Jewish Leader, I am able to bring stories and skills learned from amazing leaders across the world into camp.

Lindsey: That sounds like an unbelievable experience. Now for the fun questions…In 15 years, what’s the coolest thing you think will be at Crane Lake?

Brett: In 15 years, I hope Crane Lake will be running completely on renewable energy. We will leave no footprint emission. We will have food compost on our own land and have electricity from solar panels. I strongly believe the Jewish community can come together and change the way we physically impact the world. At camp, we have already started composting which is decreasing the negative impact we leave on earth. Through Tikkun Olam, we are teaching camp that we can make a difference in our lives for years to come.

Lindsey: Where does your general t-shirt live and how do you take care of it?

Brett: I bring out my general t-shirt once a year, which is for summer. I only wear it at camp for color war fakeouts and breakout. When it is not at camp, it lives in the bottom of my shirts drawer rolled up. I haven’t washed it since I was a general. It still smells like the plastic packaging.

Lindsey: Why have you not washed it?

Brett: I haven’t washed it because I don’t want to wash away the memories. I have a superstition that if I wash it I will wash away all the memories.

Lindsey: As a camper, what chugim did you always choose?

Brett: I always chose baseball for chug.

Lindsey: What was your favorite activity as a camper?

Brett: I had two favorite activities as a camper. I really enjoyed baseball and hockey. I think I really enjoyed hockey because at home I never got to play goalie, but at camp I always played goalie. It was something new and challenging that I always wanted to do.

Lindsey: What plaque in the Rec Hall are you most proud of?

Brett: I am most proud of the Nitzanim Boys Fight Song 2012 plaque. It is not my favorite because of the design, but because it stands for hard work with the youngest boys on camp. The entire unit put forth a lot of time and hard work. Now the boys that were a part of Nitzanim in 2012 will always have something to see and be proud of in the Rec Hall. They will always be able to think back to their first few years as campers and remember that special moment.

Lindsey: Whats your favorite song from tfillah?

Brett: I love Hallelu, the joyful noise song, because it allows people to be goofy and make noises while they pray. It gets people smiling and excited for the day.

Lindsey: This was awesome. Thanks for sitting down with me.

Brett: Of course, anytime!