Freedom Alone Is Not Enough
As America celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding, it is worth reflecting on what made this nation, the “Land of the Free”, so successful, prosperous, and welcoming to generations of immigrants — including Jews fleeing persecution throughout history.
No country is perfect, and every society has room for growth and improvement. Yet during nearly two thousand years of Jewish exile from our homeland of Israel, America has stood out as one of the few countries where Jews were able to practice Judaism openly and freely while contributing meaningfully to society.
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.
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.
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.
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?’ ”
How to Fight Anti-Semitism
In 2020, Bari Weiss resigned from The New York Times, citing a hostile work environment and experiences of anti-semitic harassment. Since then, she has emerged as a powerful voice for Jewish resilience and moral courage.
In her award-winning book, How to Fight Anti-Semitism, Weiss writes that like many American Jews, she once believed the United States would remain immune to the historic waves of antisemitism. With its founding principles of religious freedom, equality, and pluralism, America has served as a modern-day “New Jerusalem.”
My Friend, the Grand Rebbe
“When my brother, the late Councilman James E. Davis, and I were about ten and twelve years old,” Geoffrey Davis recalled, “we used to play in front of our home in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn.
Every day, a kind, friendly man would walk past our house on his way home from the synagogue and stop to speak with us. We genuinely looked forward to seeing him, and he greeted us warmly. Sometimes he would even give us a dollar to pass along to charity.
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.
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.
National Shabbat: From the Sweatshops to the White House
The journey of the Jewish people in America is a story defined by a "grueling spiritual paradox." For the immigrants arriving at Ellis Island in the early 1900s, the Goldene Medina offered refuge from the bloody pogroms of Eastern Europe, yet it presented a new, quieter threat: an economic structure that demanded the soul in exchange for bread.
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.
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.
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.
The Global Flourishing Study
The Global Flourishing Study, a five-year project surveying over 200,000 people across 22 countries, seeks to understand the underlying factors that enable people to flourish—not just to survive, or even to be happy, but to thrive in a deep, meaningful, and multidimensional way. Led by over 40 researchers across disciplines and backed by Gallup, the study measures well-being across six dimensions: happiness, health, meaning, character, relationships, and financial stability.
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.
The Paradox of Time: Why Less is More?
In an era of constant distraction, the ability to focus has become both a rare luxury and a vital asset. We have all experienced moments where effort disappears, time vanishes, and work feels automatic.
Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi called this state "Flow." His research into human fulfillment revealed that "optimal experiences" occur when we are fully immersed in a task. Whether you are an artist, an athlete, or a professional, deep satisfaction comes from being "all in."
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.
Your Network Is Your Net Worth
In 1973, after struggling academically and trying her hand at more than 20 jobs, Barbara Corcoran borrowed $1,000 to start a small real estate company in New York City. That modest beginning ultimately grew into The Corcoran Group—one of the most recognizable and successful brokerage brands in the industry.
Her rise is a powerful example of how relationships can outweigh traditional credentials. With no formal business education or elite academic background, Corcoran built her success not on technical expertise, but on her ability to develop and sustain meaningful relationships.