The Goal of Education
What is the ultimate goal of education?
A child or young adult may attend school or a place of higher education to receive valuable knowledge or attain a skill in a specific field. That information may then be used to advance a career and provide them with a future livelihood.
However, there is another aspect to education which far outweighs the above mentioned objective. The ultimate goal of education is to instill in our youth good morals, faith, values, fine character and purpose. This type of education is not only provided by academic institutions but rather something which begins from the moment a child is conceived and continues on for the rest of their lives.
The Secret To Our Survival
Recently, I came across a beautiful article published in the Wall Street Journal. The article was titled “The Shul That Rose From the Ashes” in which the author, Josh Nass, describes his grandfather's childhood in Malakhovka, a suburb of Moscow, and eventual emigration to America in 1972 after surviving the horrible persecutions of pogroms, the Holocaust, and the communist government's attempt to stifle Jewish observance.
The Ultimate Security
There is a fascinating story recounted in the Jerusalem Talmud: “The last Parthian king Artavan once sent a gift of a very precious pearl to Rabbi Yehudah Hanassi, asking to be sent something of equal value in return. Rabbi Yehudah Hanassi sent a mezuzah in return. When the king received the mezuzah he was dumbfounded that Rabbi Yehudah could consider this little piece of parchment as an equivalent to the precious pearl. He expressed his sentiments in no uncertain terms. Thereupon Rabbi Yehudah explained to the king that they had different sets of values, hence the king’s amazement. He went on to say that whereas the king’s gift was something that he, Rabbi Yehudah, would constantly have to guard against theft, etc., his own gift to the king was something that would guard over the king and protect him.”
A Mezuzah in Cuba
About 10 years ago, as a Rabbinical student, I was assigned to travel along with a friend to Cuba in order to assist the small Jewish community there with their High Holiday needs.
Our responsibilities included leading services, hosting Kosher meals, and providing much needed basic necessities for the impoverished local community there. In addition, we were to assist local Jewish tourists and visiting business people with celebrating the holidays.
Feel at Home
Have you ever wondered what is the most important part of a home? Is it the roof and exterior walls which provide shelter from outside elements? Or is it the interior design and aesthetics which impact the function and ambiance of the home? Perhaps it's the furniture and appliances which enable us to make use of the home itself?
While all those aspects serve an important purpose, they do not define the ultimate nature of a home. For one can find shelter or even enjoy quality hospitality and luxurious amenities while staying at a hotel as well, but, of course it's still not quite the same as one's home.
A Visionary Mindset
On December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers revolutionized the modern world with the first successful airplane flight, embodying the power of visionary thinking. While most were focused on improving the speed and efficiency of existing modes of transportation, the Wright brothers, like other visionaries, saw beyond the limits of their time, imagining a future where humans could fly.
Effective Communication
A couple days ago, I was speaking with an acquaintance who shared the following challenge he was facing:
After overseeing a merger with another law firm, he was encountering some resistance from a few of his attorneys. Although they were receiving a raise, better working conditions, and job security, they were still unhappy with the new arrangements.
There may be many facets to the quandary, but perhaps one way to address the issue is through effective communication.
Make it Relevant
I recently heard a young entrepreneur share his experiences and struggles which he faced while launching his startup.
He had invested a significant amount of seed money to create a great product, but, for some reason, he had failed to attract enough interest from potential customers to remain sustainable.
Yiddish Humor
In the early 20th century, the Borscht Belt in the Catskills was a popular summer vacation destination for Jewish immigrants looking to escape the stress and density of city life.
Many famous Jewish comedians and entertainers got started with their careers performing at hotels and resorts in the area delighting their audiences with Yiddish humor especially highlighting stereotypical Jewish traits.
There is something about the Yiddish language that captures and expresses so much of our Jewish history, culture, and Weltanschauung.
The Difference Between Kodak & Amazon
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 20% of new businesses fail during their first two years of operation and 65% within the first ten years. Only 25% of new businesses survive for 15 years or more.
While there are many root causes for this phenomenon, two primary reasons are often cited: remaining rigid or expanding too quickly.
The NYT Millennium Edition
For many years in the 90’s there was a small advertisement that ran every Friday on the bottom corner of the front page of the New York Times. It read, “Jewish Women: Shabbat candle lighting time this Friday is ____pm.” It not only served as a reminder of this eternal mitzvah, but it also expressed Jewish pride.
The advertisement ceased after the sponsor ended it, but it reappeared once.
One Small Step
At 10:56 p.m. ET on July 20, 1969, the American astronaut Neil Armstrong put his foot on the lunar surface and famously declared, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
Neil’s “one small step” was only made possible through years of research and hard work from a large team of experts and billions of dollars of investments.
Parents kvell while watching their children grow up, but they also remember the sleepless nights, the kvetching they had to put up with, the sacrifices they made and the resources they invested in educating their children to develop into mature, good, Yiddishe Mentchen.
A Life Lesson from Steve Jobs
In the opening pages of his biography, Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, reflects candidly on his adoption. He recalls a chilling moment when he was about six or seven years old. He told the girl across the street that he was adopted, and she replied, “So does that mean your real parents didn’t want you?”
Happiness is a Choice
A young couple living in Czarist Russia in the early 1800s were faced with a significant decision. Life in Russia at the time was no picnic, especially for the Jewish people, due to the many economic and religious restrictions imposed on the Jewish communities in particular. They were considering making Aliya and immigrating to Israel to enjoy an easier life with the liberty to openly practice Torah and Mitzvot and benefit from the spiritually uplifting atmosphere of the Holy Land.
It’s Bashert
You may have heard the Yiddish expression “it’s Bashert”, loosely translated as, “it’s meant to be”.
While this expression is most commonly used to describe one’s soul mate in the context of marriage and dating, such as, “I found my Bashert”, it also has a broader connotation for many other areas in life including one’s career choice, place of residence, or when facing unexpected challenges and opportunities.
Organized Chaos
In the hours before opening, a restaurant is a scene of controlled chaos. Staff arrive early, each with a specific role. Managers oversee, checking cleanliness and alignment, holding briefings on reservations and special requests. There's a palpable urgency as everyone works against the clock. In the kitchen, chefs and cooks set up their stations while the head chef directs, ensuring everything is prepared perfectly. As opening approaches, the chaos subsides. Final touches are made, lights are dimmed, and soft background music starts. The doors open, and the restaurant transforms. Guests are greeted warmly and led to tables, where the atmosphere is now serene and relaxing, transitioning smoothly from behind-the-scenes chaos to effortless service.
Our Mission Statement
Every business, organization, or movement has a mission statement. The mission consists of the original reason why the entity was created in the first place. Although the products or services that are provided may include a wide range of options, a successful business or organization always remains in sync with its mission and fulfills its intended purpose.
Fantasy or Reality?
At the turn of the 20th century, life expectancy for Americans was just about 33-48 years.
In 1900, the average family had an annual income of $3,000 (in today's dollars). About half of all American children lived in poverty. Most teens did not attend school; instead, they labored in factories or fields.
Suprarational
George, an avid fisherman, once set out on a quest to figure out the size of the smallest fish living in the ocean. So he spread out a huge fishing net in the Atlantic Ocean and was amazed to catch fish of all different types, colors and sizes. But surprisingly, out of the tens of thousands of fish that he caught, he did not find any fish smaller than five inches.
The Next Big Thing
In 1964, Look magazine ran a cover story entitled “The Vanishing American Jew.” The national publication explained to their millions of readers why in all certainty there would no longer be any Jews left in the United States in the 21st century.
Well, we all know what happened. Look magazine has disappeared and the Jewish people live on and continue to thrive. Thank G-d we are witnessing a revival of Judaism in America and around the world. There is a thirst among Jews of all walks of life and demographics to reconnect with their Jewish heritage and millions of Jews are returning to their roots.