Cohort 8 Workshop 3: Fruit salad and the Journey of Milk and Cookies

By Blake Feldmar

What kind of fruit are you? The fellows of Diller Cohort 8 each found out the answer to this question last Sunday at a meeting where we explored different work styles and ways to accomplish goals. We began by taking a short personality test in which we had to rank different adjectives by how well they described us. When we finished, our results identified us as one of four fruits—either a grape, an orange, a banana, or a melon. Each fruit represented a different kind of work style, and had its own strengths and weaknesses when it came to working in groups. After meeting with others of our kind and discussing our similarities, we split up into mixed-up groups in order to compare and contrast our styles. We realized that many of us were hybrids of different fruits, and several people felt uncomfortable having to choose just one for themselves or were surprised at their identification. However, we also thought it was very interesting to see ourselves classified, and felt that it helped us all get to know both ourselves and the rest of the group better. In the end, it was great to see that we could all come together to form one delicious Diller fruit salad capable of accomplishing any task.

               During our break, we were able to participate in an event occurring at the Westside JCC. Fast-paced music played from a nearby room for "Chanukah Zumbakah," an event aptly named for its Hannukah-themed Zumba class. Most of the Diller fellows joined in on the fun, and while some of us felt a little awkward others really got into it. Either way, we all enjoyed ourselves dancing aerobically to Hannukah parodies before returning to our room to continue our meeting.

 

               Upon our return, we embarked on the "Journey of Milk and Cookies," a method for completing goals that we learned we would be using throughout the rest of our time in Diller. The Journey had four parts—Mission, Vision, Goals, and Objectives. After learning about this process in a classroom-like setting, we were able to put our new knowledge into practice by breaking up into groups to plan our second Shabbaton. While at first the steps were a little unfamiliar, it quickly became clear how easy they were to use and their efficiency at planning and executing tasks. Each of the groups seemed very excited about their plans for the Shabbaton, and I can't wait to see what we all come up with.

               Overall, our fourth meeting was a success. We learned a lot about working to complete goals, both in how we personally approach them and how to effectively and methodically plan them. I am looking forward to the next Shabbaton, and am eager to strengthen the bonds that we have all formed in the past few months as well as my skills as a leader, a community member, and a Jew.