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ABOUT JASON CATHCART,
DIRECTOR OF CONGREGATIONAL LEARNING
FROM THE "SPOTLIGHT" ARTICLE IN THE B'NAI ZION VOICE
Camp can be
transformative. Camp Ramah,
in various incarnations, has played just such a role in Jason Cathcart’s
life. After attending the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, Jason
bounced around a bit. When an opportunity at Ramah in the Poconos presented
itself, he jumped. At Ramah, Jason discovered how much he enjoyed working
with young people. Later, when Camp Ramah Darom, in Georgia, opened, Jason
moved closer to home and worked one summer as a counselor and two summers as a
division head. The rewards of working with youth were magnified when he met
his wife, Vicki, a fellow member of the head staff. Vicki was a Ramah
Wisconsin alumna. Her older brother, Rabbi Loren Sykes, was promoted to
director of Ramah Darom after serving as assistant director of Ramah
Wisconsin. Vicki followed her brother to Darom to work as a division head
and program advisor. Jason and Vicki's family includes their beloved and
delightful son Jordan.
The transition from Ramah to Youth Director in charge of USY and Kadima
at Temple Israel in Charlotte, Jason’s previous position, was a natural one.
Working with youth to engage and excite them about learning and Judaism is in
many ways an extension of the goals of Camp Ramah. Camp Ramah provides an
informal educational experience because it is experiential. This is an
aspect of the camp learning experience Jason hopes to translate into the
educational experience at B’nai Zion; to engage children in the excitement of
learning intrinsically, naturally. Just as his former campers would
countdown the days until they were to return to camp, Jason hopes to inspire
the same eager excitement in his students at B’nai Zion.
Ramah gave direction to Jason’s life after he stepped away from college
for a while. If he had it to do over again, Jason would have finished his
undergraduate work earlier, but finish he did. Last spring Jason received a
degree in Business Administration. While Business Administration might not be
a typical background for an Education Director, it is perfect for Jason.
Budgeting and marketing, key components of business administration, are
essential elements of an Education Director’s responsibilities. Getting and
keeping kids interested in and excited about Hebrew School takes a keen
marketing sense. Families and children are busy, and many activities compete
for their time, attention, and resources. Jason wants their Jewish education
to win the competition and be a positive, relevant experience.
Chattanooga has been a positive experience for Jason and Vicki. The
community has been welcoming and supportive. They delight in being able to
find everything they need within a small radius. Jordan is making friends as one of the first students at the
new Siskin Early Childhood Learning Center in East Brainerd.
Jason Cathcart was no stranger to Chattanooga. His mother, Terri
Menuskin Cathcart, grew up in Chattanooga, and his uncle is Dr. Jay Menuskin.
Jason’s family made annual trips here to visit his extended family. It was
not until he returned as an adult that he realized the depth and richness of
the community.
The Cathcart’s lives here, as in Charlotte, revolve around the Jewish
community. Vicki is a life long member of Hadassah, and they are big
supporters of the Jewish Federation. If there is one small downside to
Jason’s move to Chattanooga, it might be that he lacks the space, at present,
to display his entire Pez dispenser collection. Most of his collection is in
storage but the acquisition continues. Vicki is his most important curator
and is always on the lookout for a previously unknown Pez dispenser.
B’nai Zion is delighted Jason and his family have joined the community.
Jason has an open door policy and wants people to feel comfortable stopping by
his office. Feedback, positive or negative, is welcome. He is enthusiastic
about sharing experiences and learning about the traditions of the community.
He encourages questions, lots of questions, never hesitate to ask and
question. And if you find an interesting Pez dispenser, well….
-- Elizabeth Cline, writing for The B'nai Zion Voice |
OUR EDUCATOR, JASON CATHCART
