"No taxation without representation"
The slogan "No taxation without representation" was first adopted during the American Revolution by American colonists under British rule. They believed that if they were not represented within the government of the ruling empire or nation, then they had no right to be taxed.
As we commemorate America's Independence Day, the 4th of July, we express our gratitude to the founding fathers of this great country while reflecting on our country's mission statement and the values of religious liberties and moral ethics that helped shape our society into one that has been so hospitable to Jewish people and members of all faiths.
Leadership: Influence Vs. Power
In 1968, as a college student at Cambridge University in Cambridge, England, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks decided to visit the United States and meet with the greatest of America’s Rabbis.
During his visit, every Rabbi he met told him that he had to meet the Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbe, Rabbi Menacham M. Schneerson. After scheduling a meeting, Rabbi Sacks, who was by then in Los Angeles visiting family, took a Greyhound bus for 72 hours back to New York.
Yes, You Can!
In life, the difference between success and failure often depends on our perception of reality and our willpower to make it happen. One of the signs of an effective leader is how well they are able to empower their constituents to take ownership over their responsibilities.
A manager may want to micro-manage their employees to guarantee optimal results. However, empowering our team members and giving them the tools to take their own initiative enables them to use their own creativity to accomplish perhaps even more than what we had envisioned in the first place.
How Facebook Messenger Bots was Inspired by Challah
One of the signs of an effective leader is how well they are able to empower their constituents.
A manager may want to micro-manage their employees to guarantee optimal results. However, empowering and giving them the tools to take their own initiative enables them to use their own creativity to create something perhaps more powerful than what was envisioned in the first place.
Equality or Diversity
Equality is often understood to mean that we are all created equal and therefore should be given the same opportunities and rights. We aim to develop a society where our differences are overlooked and instead we try to focus on the areas where we can find common ground.
But are we actually all similar? Should our obvious differences be a source of contention and therefore ignored?
Be Present
A recent study conducted by Microsoft found that since the onset of the mobile revolution, around the year 2000, the average attention span of individuals has dropped from approximately 12 seconds to just eight seconds.
Throughout the day, we are exposed to an overload of information, whether it's news or work-related information. The constant pings of notifications distract us from whatever we’re doing, decreasing our focus.
Oprah, we still have to stay humble!
Ethan Bortnick, an accomplished pianist, singer and songwriter, was considered a child prodigy from the age of three and went on to entertain international audiences throughout his childhood. He is listed in the Guinness World Records for "The World's Youngest Solo Musician to Headline His Own Concert Tour".
Self-Respect
In July of 2022, Israeli pop star Yuval Dayan stirred an outcry and a heated public debate in Israel when she refused to shake hands with visiting US President Joe Biden due to her religious beliefs.
Dayan, along with another singer, Ran Danker, performed at a ceremony marking Biden's receipt of Israel's highest civilian honor.
Peace through Strength
Rivka Ravitz, a mother of 12, had achieved a historic milestone as the first woman and religious individual to serve as Chief of Staff for a President of Israel.
During a recent interview, Ravitz reflected on the numerous opportunities she had to meet with world leaders and the admiration they expressed for her unwavering commitment to upholding her Jewish values and raising a large family while fulfilling her duties in a prominent position.
Maximizing our Potential
There is a famous anecdote that tells of the Sage Reb Zusha of Anipoli (1718, Tarnow, Poland- 1800, Anipoli, Ukraine) relating to his disciples, “When I go up to heaven after my time on earth is completed, I am not afraid of being asked why I was not as great as Moses, after all, G‑d already has a Moses. I am afraid, however, of being asked, ‘Zusha, why weren’t you Zusha?’ ”
You Are Important
Eli Groisman grew up in Curaçao, a Caribbean island, in the early 1980s. Since there were no Jewish schools on the island in those years, he attended a Protestant school, where he had a difficult time. Despite his non-observant upbringing, he refused to participate in religious services, leading to daily conflicts with other students while the teachers and principal sided against him. By seventh grade, things escalated, and he started skipping school to play golf, returning just in time to meet his father Chaim at dismissal.
Home Sweet Home
There is an expression, “Money can buy a house, but not a home”. What is so unique about creating a home which engenders the feelings of warmth, love, and acceptance that may be challenging to replicate elsewhere?
The structure of a house along with its design, furniture and amenities obviously serves an important role, however, they do not define the ultimate nature of one’s home. For one can find shelter or even enjoy quality hospitality elsewhere. But, of course, it's still not quite the same as one's home.
Every Person is a Diamond
A recent survey of millennials has revealed troubling statistics regarding how young adults perceive themselves compared to their peers and older generations. Surprisingly, eight out of ten participants believe they are not "good enough" in various aspects of their lives. Additionally, three-quarters of the respondents admit to feeling constantly overwhelmed by the pressure to succeed in their careers, establish meaningful relationships, and meet others' expectations.
Doing Well by Doing Good
Not long ago, the conventional belief was that profit and corporate social responsibility were mutually exclusive pursuits. The notion that a company could boost its bottom line while contributing positively to society was rarely entertained by business leaders.
Today, however, advanced technologies and streamlined processes are reducing costs, paving the way for a new perspective: benefiting people and the world need not sacrifice profitability.
Career Satisfaction
In a recent research study on career satisfaction conducted by Forbes, it was reported that one of the primary factors influencing employee and client satisfaction was the approach taken by businesses, whether transactional or relational.
Incentives
When choosing a career, our prospective decision may be based on many factors such as work qualifications, salary, and time commitments. But most importantly, if possible, we endeavor to seek a job which we will also enjoy and find meaningful, enabling us to make a positive impact on the world around us.
Holy Business
Dr. Bernard Spector, a respected businessman and philanthropist from Montreal, once visited the Rebbe to receive his blessing and advice. "Rebbe, when does one decide they have enough?" he asked.
Dr. Spector explained that he had recently sold his business and was now receiving other lucrative business offers. "I am seeking advice to know when a person decides they have enough money for themselves and their family, and they have reached their goal."
Taking a Sabbatical
Ilana and Doron Toweg have become modern-day heroes and role models for millions of people both in Israel and around the world.
They are owners of a large agricultural farm in Moshav Azaria and are one of the premier sources of produce in Israel. At one point they served as the exclusive eggplant supplier to Strauss, Israel’s largest food distributors.
But, in 2014, they made a huge decision that would seem extremely illogical to any serious entrepreneur.
A Nuclear Reaction
In 1976, renowned author, radio host, lecturer, and business consultant Rabbi David Lapin was at an apparent crossroads during the early stages of his career. At that time, he was working for a commodity trading company in Johannesburg while also establishing a Jewish studies academy and delivering dozens of weekly lectures to hundreds of Jewish students in the region. With two full-time jobs, he felt that he was spreading himself too thin to successfully manage all of his responsibilities. Seeking guidance, he decided to consult the Rebbe, Rabbi M.M. Schneerson.
Work Smarter, Not Harder.
In 2016, Adam LaRoche, the First Baseman of the White Sox, made national headlines when he decided to retire a year early and forfeit the remaining $13 million from his contract. This decision was made after his manager told him that he could no longer bring his 14-year-old son to the team clubhouse during practice and training.