Spirituality — Writing

Commentary

Most of us are familiar with Aesop’s fable, The Tortoise and the Hare, which, according to at least one interpretation, teaches us that the fastest runner does not always win the race.

Published ArticlesMarc BakerMarch 20, 2017Education, High School, Judaism, Leadership, Perspective, Spirituality

Thinking Differently About Day School Funding And Priorities

In healthy, stable organizations with strong leadership and governance, a short-term resource challenge and even a crisis can generate innovative, adaptive thinking and great leadership.

The Power of Pluralism

One of our school’s several Torah scroll’s needs to be repaired. This Torah is most often used by the school’s traditional egalitarian minyan (one of several different minyanim including Reform, alternative and mechitza).

The Meaning of Pluralism in a Jewish High School

For the past four years I have been in what you might call a polemic, or perhaps even a disputation, with a friend and colleague of mine, a religious leader, from Atlanta.

Sports Le-Shem Shamayim: The Sacred Mission of High School Athletics

Our vision of the role that competitive athletics can play in the lives of high school students is a deeply personal one.

Published ArticlesMarc BakerMarch 20, 2017Character, Community, Education, Growth, Identity, Judaism, Leadership, Spirituality, Sports, Values

Hepsed part 2

I was talking yesterday with my and Jill’s rabbi in Israel; I called to share with him the sad news of Allan’s passing.

General Writings, UncategorizedMarc BakerMarch 19, 2017Eulogy, Family, Healing, Hesped, Judaism, Loss, Love, Spirituality

Hesped (Eulogy) for my father, Stephen A. Baker, z”l

Soon after the sun rose on the morning of Shavuot, the Jewish holiday commemorating the giving and receiving of the Torah, my beloved father’s soul peacefully departed this world.

General WritingsMarc BakerMarch 19, 2017Eulogy, Hesped, Inspiration, Judaism, Loss, Love, Reflection, Remembrance, Spirituality

Planting Trees

I just returned from a two-day trip to Israel, where I visited places and people with whom Gann is building collaborative partnerships, spent time with Gann alumni, and—the reason for the trip—joined our nearly 30 Gann juniors for the final days of their Israel experience.

Election Reflections

So much has already been written and said about the presidential election. I am not sure that I have much to add nor that I want to follow my inclination to rush immediately to words.

Under Our Roof

I have recently been reminded why Gann Academy chose to build its culture and community on a foundation of Jewish pluralism, a commitment to diversity and engagement with the “other” that is too rare in the Jewish community and that, while a hallmark of American democracy, seems to be growing more rare in American society.

Two Minutes Matter—A Yom Kippur Reflection

In the spirit of Yom Kippur and this season of teshuva—reflection, introspection, and repentance—I want to share one way that I recently missed the mark (probably the best translation for the Hebrew word for “sin”) as Head of School and what I learned from it.