Adam Stewart
Chicago, Illinois
How is your Hero working to make the world a better place?
Under Adam's leadership, Shorashim has brought more than 10,000 participants on Taglit-Birthright Israel trips. Until recently, Shorashim was the only trip provider that had Israelis on the bus for the trip's duration. When surveyed, the participants almost unanimously agree that this enhanced their experience. Adam made the Taglit-Birthright Israel trips more meaningful and hence created a stronger diaspora-Israel bond. This is also true of our high school trip and the many other trips we operate. Shorashim also impacts synagogues and public schools by bringing cultural Israel education and virtual mifgashim. Because of Adam's leadership, thousands of people know Israel not from the media, but have learned to love her because of her people.
How has your Hero impacted your life and inspired you?
More than five years ago, I led a Taglit-Birthright Israel trip with Adam. We stayed in touch and he offered me a job three years ago after seven years of teaching high school. Adam has been a terrific boss because he has enabled me to grow within the organization and to become a better educator and administrator. He has taught me best practices in terms of teaching, working with partnerships, supervision, and training colleagues. He admits his faults, but does not let them limit his achievements. Adam has taught me when to be affable and when to be tough. He also has demonstrated the importance of balancing work with "shalom bayit". Like all true heroes, Adam is not perfect, but his gravitas far outweigh the faults that any great person has.