The first thing Amrom said when he walked through the door was, “I need to pack my bags again and head straight back to camp! Also register me now for next year before Rosh Hashana!” He absolutely loved Camp Yagilu!
Elchonon is home, lively and happy and has lots of positive stories to share. Sounds like on the whole he had a great learning experience. I really appreciate all your work and the wonderful camp you’ve created.
Hi Tani, I have no idea what your magic sauce is, but what we saw last Sunday was incredible. A.W. is obviously proud that he can:
1. Navigate an obstacle course (and try and improve his time with each run through)
2. Hike as many as 17 miles in a day with 30 lbs on his back 3. Lead davening
4. Sing zemirot Shabbat
(I’m sure there are others – this is what comes to mind)
We imagined that he would compliantly do them as part of the camp routine, but not that they would be highlights he would enthusiastically share with us. Yasher koach and thank you. ”
Your training was really great. I wanted to bring this new group together as a cohesive unit and you very much facilitated that. We all gained new ways and ideas to work with teens in a laid back environment. The message that it is okay to make mistakes is one we all know but you put it out there in such a safe way and a new idea for us to always reiterate to the teens we work with. In an indirect way your calmness was helpful to recognize this is critical for gaining access to teens trust. It is easy to see why your programs might be so successful.
We appreciate you doing this on your time and hope to work closely with you in the future. Tzku lmitzvos.
Much hazlacha,
All the best,
Our school was fortunate to have Rabbi Tani Prero do a team building workshop with our middle school students. From the outset his relaxed laid back personality put the kids at ease, while his confidence and focus let them know that they were being addressed by an expert. He was dealing with classes that often have a hard time getting along, yet even in their first event they worked, fell, and laughed together as they struggled to support each other and stand up with one another. Tani found ways to channel even the more outspoken students by inviting them to come up and lead the event together with him, demonstrating his insight into kids’ personalities. The event was a great success, and the students expressed how much they gained and how much fun it was. Thank you Rabbi Prero!
The program exceeded my expectations! Rabbi Tani working with my group of over 40 high school freshman and had them all engaged and involved. His activities were a welcome break from the typical “ice breakers” used to get the students acquainted with one another. Here the students honed their communication and team work skill through a variety of mediums such as, rhythm, races, and personal reflection. With his every sentence and action, Rabbi Tani subtly modeled all the skills he was trying to impart to the students such as respect, gratitude, listening thoughtfully, and making each student feel important and empowered. Most importantly for me as an educator, he advised me on how to build on the lessons learned that evening moving forward this year.
and a comment from a student I drove home.
“My friends and I felt like we were in camp and not school. It was so much fun to have a camp experience during the school year.” Bassie F.
Shalom Aleichem Reb Tani!
On behalf of the entire Torah Prep faculty, I want to thank you (a little belated) for a fantastic and inspiring workshop. I received only positive feedback from the teachers I have spoken with. They felt it was enjoyable, uplifting and practical. My only complaint was that it was too short! I would love to hear your ideas on building trust when you have to interact with with students that require redirection or discipline. You had some scenarios on your handout that you were unable to get to. They included a chronic late-comer, talking during class, chutzpa,etc… the list of possibilities can go on and on!
It would be great if we can follow up once in a while with a scenario that you can offer a suggestion on.
Once again, I am happy that the timing worked out and you were able to make it to St. Louis to give us some great ideas and chizuk.
Wishing you a k’siva v’chasima tova,
“Tani Prero led a truly incredible lesson in confidence and leadership for our Dallas NCSYers, giving our high school teens the tools necessary to fundraise for our annual raffle in which we exceeded our expectations.”
These workshops had tremendous educational value for our students. They had opportunities to work on listening, planning, problem solving and team work, all of which can be transferred to their classroom experiences. They also saw in Rabbi Prero an adult who respected and appreciated them for who they are, modeling an invaluable lesson in tolerance for other.
Thank you so much!
Hey Tani,
Thank you so much for your session the guys really enjoyed. We asked the guys for feedback.
The questions were
- What was your favorite part of the session?
- What’s a practical aspect you want to implement in your own life, where specifically do you want to add it?
The answers were all positive a few of them were
- The feedback he gave me about my leading of the group
- The feedback he gave me is applicable to mentoring my Shana aleph chavrusas
- The discussions. He developed really good and practical ideas.
- The aspect of encouraging people and creating a team environment for all projects, especially SOJ.
I look forward to having another session soon
The workshops are great as they are fun and get all the kids involved. Kids who are less athletic can also have a great time. Most importantly, kids who are usually not important on a sports team will see how valuable they truly are in these workshops. All the kids in the workshops learn a great lesson in seeing the importance of every person to the team.
What an awesome day! Our trip day got canceled at the last second, in came Tani Prero to the rescue! Tani your outdoor games engaged the boys immediately and challenged them to think out of the box, work as a team, and problem solve. The way you lead the group in processing what they had accomplished and learned was very professional and enhanced the educational and growth experience. The guitar playing afterward pumped up our students and got them into the Purim spirit, and the boys are begging you to come back and teach them more Krav Maga. Our students and staff really bonded together, this is a day we will never forget. Thanks!
I appreciated the way you immediately created a spirit of mutual dignity and respect. The activities were managed very well, enjoyable, and instructive. I was not there at the very end so I wonder if the group benefited from some post-processing time. As you mentioned, the long term benefits come from continuity and lots of follow up.
Thanks and chag kasher v’samayach
Whether working with a large or small group of teenagers, using PowerPoint or hands-on activities, Rabbi Tani is able to engage the group. His smooth and comfortable style, born from years of experience working with boys of all ages, makes him an ideal leader. He exudes the qualities he teaches: leadership, communication or, as he calls it, “listenship,” willingness to cooperate as a team, trust and confidence. Any group having him as a leader is sure to succeed in any endeavor it attempts.
Rabbi Tani worked with our high school students at Torah Academy of Bergen County in Teaneck, NJ, all day. By the middle of the first session, word had spread so quickly about the exciting “Team Building with Tani” workshop that by the second session, boys couldn’t wait to get upstairs to participate. What better recommendation could a teacher/ team builder desire?
Rabbi Prero used his creativity and energy to captivate students while instilling them with invaluable life lessons. His ability to connect with students while providing real educational content in a hands-on way made the program a real success.
It was our second day of the school year and our students were exhausted and had their guard up. Nevertheless, Tani and Ariel succeeded in getting them excited and breaking down barriers. It was a great help in fostering a positive group dynamic. It was a 3 hour adventure and their energy didn’t let up!
“Tani’ s workshops with our students were amazing! Our girls had a really great time and learned a lot about themselves and their peers along the way. Tani does a great job of showing students the importance of teamwork, communication, patience, respect, and so much more- and he does it in a fun, engaging, and exciting way. I highly recommend him!!”
I am so happy to see my talmidim emerging from their shells in Tani’s workshops. There were several boys who I never saw act with such confidence and leadership before. They acted as equals to the other students, and expressed courage that I haven’t seen before.
What you are doing is certainly an incredible feat, and the FACT that you are able to engage kids in a way that they respond says volumes about you and your success. Your program is engaging and thought-provoking. In my opinion, a one-time program that is geared towards teaching kids majorly important skills such as respect, self esteem and team building is certainly a pointless endeavor. Even if it lights a spark in a child they need further guidance to continue this growth. Unfortunately, most educators are not experts in this area. That is why it was so important to me that you had a follow up session with the teachers. I highly encourage anyone that brings you in to run a program to do so in a manner that “kicks off” a larger scale program run by the mentors that these children engage with on a daily basis. To that extent I feel that with the proper follow up and a formal training of teachers, students can benefit and lives can be changed. Additionally, the fact that you have made yourself available for the teachers to follow up with is so crucial and shows your commitment to the children’s well being. You truly go above and beyond. Thank you!
Dear Rabbi Prero,
Thank you for running your energetic and powerful program with our students. Our students responded so well to your style and we saw how much they benefited from the team building workshop. Your workshops would befit every child!
Both the students and the faculty hope you come back on your next trip!
The team-building activities that I saw really brought out leadership qualities in the children. Those who are not born leaders had to step out of their comfort zone. Putting together certain individuals who have different styles and personalities helped the children push themselves to work together. Since our school is small, students are always around each other, and they can have a relationship similar to sibling dynamics. Having a team-building activity at our school is important and rewarding because we can see students coming together in ways we would not normally see, and it pushes them to respect each other through wanting to meet common goal.
Tani,
Thank you so much for the most incredible leadership training session. Our Ncsyers learned practical leadership skills and had a chance to practice giving and receiving feedback. The session was fun and hands on! Every Ncsyer had such an amazing time and gained tools they can use as good friends and in their involvement with NCSY. We wish you continued success in raising the next generation of Jewish leaders.
Tani’s team building workshop gave my talmidim a positive and fun way to gain awareness of their behaviors. I could see the boys making choices about how they were going to perform among their friends, and as I watched I saw them make better choices as the workshop went on. Thank you for spending this time with us.
The team-building workshop that you led today was amazing! You engaged the talmidim and spoke to them directly. You evoked real conversations, even from some of the less expressive boys. I watched with a big smile as they played, had fun, and grew. Thank you!
Rabbi Tani,
Thanks so much for coming out today to work with our middle school. The kids had a great time and learned important life skills. I loved the way you brought the kids in to be part of the group even when they were unsure that they wanted to be. It was also impressive to see how quickly the 7th and 8th grade girls worked together. Thank you for sharing your time, encouragement, and life lessons with TDS. I look forward to continuing to work with you in the future.
Tani,
“The workshop provided an opportunity for the boys to hone their problem solving and communication skills in a way that was creative, engaging and fun. The skills and message of the importance of planning an team work will benefit them in all aspects of their lives. Rabbi Prero quickly developed a positive connection and rapport with our boys and I would strongly recommend this valuable program to other schools.”
Have a great Shabbos and I look forward to being in touch.
I like the way the boys worked together and how you guided them. I complimented you on the way to the boys that
I told the boys that you’re geshmak, this won’t be a class. It will be fun. You’re definitely someone who the boys would like to be with. Your smile is great.
I liked how you had a balance of leading them and helping them lead themselves. I also liked the way you reviewed what we did, and how you included them in in explaining to them the purpose of the activities and what they gained.
When they left they felt that they really did gain something. When things got busy we managed anyway. Sometimes other team builders don’t finish off strong and I wonder why we did these silly things. You didn’t tell them everything, they had to learn on their own, and they were included, You explained to them what they gained and learned. I wouldn’t want them just to come out wondering why we did all these strange things.
Its mashal for life. How did you deal with these problems and what could have worked out better.
Hi Tani,
Thank you so much for today’s training. It was so valuable, informative and, perhaps best of all, entertaining. Your knowledge and clarity was evident throughout as you stayed present and worked with our staff to meet the needs of our learning interests. As clinicians with experience facilitating groups for preteens and teens, to get the additional insight into facilitating strong team building exercises was just what we needed.
In one of the groups that I led right after our training, I used the responses that you taught me for a kid who was really being difficult. His response was awesome, just as you predicted. I also knew just how to respond to another kid in a different group when he pulled out his cell phone. Awesome!
Thank you. We look forward to learning more from you and working together in the future.
We had the unique privilege of hosting Rabbi Tani Prero for a team building exercise in the middle school. Rabbi Prero spent a few hours with our girls middle school followed by the boys middle school. He led different group activities that encouraged students to work together. After the program, student Shira Tanzer commented that “It was great and he was so funny.” Leah Shoshan also “had so much fun.”
It was amazing to watch the creativity that Rabbi Prero brought out of our students. He was even able to incorporate simple activities to build unity. One of the things that I really enjoyed about his program was allowing the students to figure it out on their own. They were given instructions and then had to navigate through the activity together!
Tani,
Mamash a beautiful shabbos together. You gave different age groups and people inspiration, simcha, enjoyment, challenges and chidush. You have much to give as a mashpia in many different, unique and new ways. I am confident you will reach more and more people.
Tani Prero is one of the most incredible youth/camp directors I ever met. His leadership skills are amazing and his style of teaching teens middos, life skills, leadership skills and positive living in general is truly incredible. Thank you Tani for all you do for the jewish future!
Hi Tani
1. JJ came home happy, and confident with the new skills he learned. This is the most important thing to us
2. The other kids and the counselors we met seemed really nice
3. The camp is great for kids who are creative and want to explore, and at the same time you offer physical fitness through swimming, hiking and walking.
4. Innovative!
5. Connects to nature
6. Great immersion in Jewish spirituality making religion accessible, realistic and fun.
I hope we will send him again next year.
Whether working with a large or small group of teenagers, using PowerPoint or hands-on activities, Rabbi Tani is able to engage the group. His smooth and comfortable style, born from years of experience working with boys of all ages, makes him an ideal leader. He exudes the qualities he teaches: leadership, communication or, as he calls it, “listenship,” willingness to cooperate as a team, trust and confidence. Any group having him as a leader is sure to succeed in any endeavor it attempts.
Rabbi Tani worked with our high school students at Torah Academy of Bergen County in Teaneck, NJ, all day. By the middle of the first session, word had spread so quickly about the exciting “Team-Building with Tani” workshop that by the second session, boys couldn’t wait to get upstairs to participate. What better recommendation could a teacher/team builder desire?
Good luck in whatever you do. We hope our paths cross again.
I appreciated the way you immediately created a spirit of mutual dignity and respect. The activities were managed very well, enjoyable, and instructive.
Thanks so much for EVERYTHING! Benjamin had a wonderful time and continues to grow spiritually and emotionally. We are eternally grateful for your support, care and love. Be well and hope to speak soon-warmly-
Now that I am writing to you I wanted to express my hakaras hatov to you for running Yagilu. I think I gained alot from Yagilu besides for the enjoyable times that I had there… I remember you talking about friendship. That you have a friend and you don’t need to talk to him and it is as if you had a whole conversation.
In addition I remember when I was in my first year in Yagilu we were in a hike and we passed by this beautiful field with many flowers and you told everyone to just stop and “enjoy” it. I remember in my second year when I went on the ten day hike on one of the days we spent six (or three I don’t remember how long) hours by ourselves. Rav Ezra Nueberger one of the ramim in Ner Yisrael often talkes about the concept of the “I” (as in yourself). He talks about living life and how many people nowadays don’t really live life but envelope themselves in distractions (in my words). He challenges the buchrim when they take a car ride to New York ( which is a 3 1/2 hour ride) to not listen to the radio or talk on the phone but just to be with yourself. I think this is an idea I was first exposed to in Yagilu and only afterwards in Ner Yisrael.
Yagilu was the most meaningful experience of my life.
I just wanted to say thank you for your dedication and commitment to the boys at Yagilu. Every few days we are still hearing new stories of D’s experiences and we cannot believe that he did some of the things that he did! – like sleep by himself with nothing but a home-made shelter – in the forest – absolutely amazing – a few years back I would never have said he could or would do it – but his confidence has grown, Baruch Hashem and he is far more aware of what he is capable of doing, and definitely more resourceful and independent, especially since this was his first sleepover camp experience ever.
This camp was an experience he will never forget.
SUMMER CAMP & OTHER PROGRAMS
