Nov 29, 2012
Dan Hotchkiss: "Putting staff in charge without losing volunteer commitment"
Dan Hotchkiss: "Putting staff in charge without losing volunteer commitment"
Boards that try to delegate authority to staff often worry that volunteers will lose commitment. It's a realistic concern: volunteers who handled large responsibilities under the board do sometimes decide, when the board passes the management baton to the head of staff, that they are no longer needed.
This used to surprise me. Why would restructuring the flow of authority cause energy to disappear? Why are volunteers who take high-level responsibility under the board respond to the board's delegation of authority to the head of staff by taking a vacation? I'm no longer surprised, because I've found that maintaining volunteer commitment while moving management from board to staff is pretty much a universal challenge.
The solution, luckily, turns out to be fairly simple: the staff needs to learn to ask people to take big responsibilities as volunteers. For some reason, there's often a mental block against the head of staff (or a department head) saying to a proven volunteer:
Here is an area of work I'd like you to take charge of. Would you consider serving for a two-year term as Director of ________. You would not be paid, but you and I would set goals and meet on a regular basis, and you would be included in staff meetings as appropriate. I think of this as the equivalent of a quarter-time job. It is a lot to ask, but I am asking you, and I hope you will say yes."
In larger congregations and nonprofits, staff leaders often have such conversations. Sometimes the volunteers say no, and sometimes they say yes. People have always taken big responsibilities as volunteers. There's no reason they should stop because the board decides to get out of management so it can concentrate on governing.
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Rabbi Menachem Creditor
November 29th, 1947
As Rabbi Daniel Treiser writes: "To paraphrase "The Matrix," "History, it seems, is not without a sense of irony." On November 29th, 1947, the United Nations voted 33 for 13 against (all the Arab nations plus Cuba, Greece and India) to partition Palestine into a Jewish state and an Arab state. The Arab nations rejected the resolution, and chose instead to attack the nascent State of Israel the day the British Mandate came to an end. Had they accepted the vote, there would have been an internationally recognized Arab state of Palestine. Instead, they chose decades of war and suffering for the population and for the Jews in Israel as well. Now, 65 years later TO THE DAY, the Palestinians come to the UN for a vote seeking 'non-member state' status, rather than come to the negotiating table with Israel. What will this mean? Symbolic victory for the PA. More international bashing of Israel. Perhaps a bump in Abbas' declining popularity. But otherwise? Who knows."
How Does Hashem Make People?
How Does Hashem Make People?
© Rabbi Menachem Creditor
Recently a young child asked me "Rabbi, how does Hashem make people?" It was one of those questions. My response was short, sweet (I hope), and pointed with gratitude to the "mere" fact of being alive.
This is a more fleshed-out reflection on that question, written with as little "filter" as possible.
I move about my daily life, largely unaware of the blood flowing through capillaries and veins, ignorant of synapses firing and toxins being filtered. Jewish tradition has us recite a blessing for our bodies' inner plumbing, designed to supported our physical beings in countless ways. We know this best when one function is impaired, and we value the saving of life above every other mitzvah. It is a profound gift to be alive, to have a body. My body exists to do good in the world, and that is how Hashem makes me.
I meet with many people each day. Some are old, some are young. Some are healthy, some are getting healthy. Some are dying. Some are Jewish, some are not, some are in-between. It is a profound gift to look someone else in the eyes and hear their story. I exist to be connected with others, and that is how Hashem makes me.
My ancestors who are alive are in me. My ancestors who have died are alive in me. This is true for each of us. The wealth of human experience is impossible for one person, one People, one generation to carry. Therefore, knowing our roots, knowing that every human being alive has roots, that every double-helix in every person's makeup carries the experiences of millennia is the beginning of awe and wisdom. It is a profound gift to be one image of God in the midst of many, each one of us reaching back and forth in time. Our existence is the profound gift of Infinite Connectivity, and that is how Hashem makes us.
Rabbi Chayim of Volozhin, in his magisterial "Nefesh haChayim", points out that the verse ""the One who makes the great lights (Ps. 136:7)" is written in the present tense (NH 1:2). This means that God's Creation is an ongoing process, that we and the universe are constantly being made.
To the precious child who asked a precious question, I say with all my heart: You are a profound gift of love, and that is how Hashem makes you.
Nov 28, 2012
I encourage my rabbinic colleagues to sign on to end tax cuts for the top 2%
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Nov 26, 2012
Amud Anan Update from the Hannaton Educational Center
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Powerful new Jewish music from Rabbi David Paskin, available for pre-order and shipping on Friday!
Rabbi David Paskin's newest recording, T'filati, features eleven brand new songs and new arrangements for two of David's earliest compositions. Join David on a musical journey through the siddur. Learn more at rocknrollrabbi.com!
Nov 20, 2012
Tears and Hope
Tears and Hope
(C) Rabbi Menachem Creditor
with deep gratitude to the children and teachers of the Oakland Hebrew Day School
(C) Rabbi Menachem Creditor
with deep gratitude to the children and teachers of the Oakland Hebrew Day School
Their faces, shining, beautiful, scared,
looking to me for reassurance
when I have
none to offer.
looking to me for reassurance
when I have
none to offer.
So I hold back my tears
and share my hopes for peace
and a memory of being
right where they were
when I was their age,
and share my hopes for peace
and a memory of being
right where they were
when I was their age,
Afraid for family and friends,
hoping for their safety,
wondering what I'm doing
so far from home.
hoping for their safety,
wondering what I'm doing
so far from home.
And once the children leave
my defenses crumble
because
my defenses crumble
because
I never stopped being their age.
And my family hasn't yet known peace.
And my family hasn't yet known peace.
And calling out to God
only makes me
cry more.
only makes me
cry more.
Nov 19, 2012
The East Bay Stands with Israel - Tues, Nov 20 - 7:30pm
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Berkeley Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
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Bravo to Daniel Gordis in Tebletmag.com: "As rockets rain down on Israel, an Atlanta JCC bans Peter Beinart. When did we become so narrow-minded?"
Bravo to Daniel Gordis in Tebletmag.com: "As rockets rain down on Israel, an Atlanta JCC bans Peter Beinart. When did we become so narrow-minded?"
...The American Jewish community is the most secure diaspora community the Jews have ever known. Economically, socially, politically, culturally—we have made it, and what we say and model is watched by countless others. Yet New York Times readers this week can only conclude that in the midst of that security and comfort, we’ve utterly abandoned the intellectual curiosity that has long been Judaism’s hallmark." -- read the article at http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/116853/u-s-jews-fighting-wrong-battle
...The American Jewish community is the most secure diaspora community the Jews have ever known. Economically, socially, politically, culturally—we have made it, and what we say and model is watched by countless others. Yet New York Times readers this week can only conclude that in the midst of that security and comfort, we’ve utterly abandoned the intellectual curiosity that has long been Judaism’s hallmark." -- read the article at http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/116853/u-s-jews-fighting-wrong-battle
Nov 18, 2012
A Reflection on Nathan Englander's "Sister Hills" (from "What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank")
A Reflection on Nathan Englander's "Sister Hills" (from "What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank")Rabbi Menachem Creditor
Much swirled through my soul as I read Nathan Englander's latest book, "What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank," especially the second story in the book, "Sister Hils." No summary suffices, and plot-spoilers would be a crime. But this is what I feel, upon encountering Englander's masterful narrative: What are the definitions and limits of Jewish obligation? (continue reading here....)
Rabbi Mauricio Balter: War diary entry number 2, from Be'er Sheva
War diary entry number 2, from Be'er Sheva
Rabbi Mauricio Balter, Congregation Eshel Avraham
עוֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְעַל כָּל
יוֹשְׁבֵי תֵּבֵל וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן:
Rabbi Mauricio Balter,
Congregation Eshel Avraham,
Beer Sheva, Israel
Rabbi Mauricio Balter, Congregation Eshel Avraham
A few minutes ago Shabbat ended, and I'm sitting here writing the second entry into my war journal. The first one I wrote four days ago, and it feels like ages ago.
I would like to share with you the experience of Shabbat. In our community, we decided to announce that the synagogue would be open for prayers and that I would be there.
The idea was not to invite or encourage people to get out of the house when we are in war. I would remind you that it is the moments of moving from place to place that are the most dangerous. Because when the sirens go off, you have to quickly find cover, which isn't always easy. In these circumstances, leaving the house is everyone's independent decision.
Yesterday, at 5PM I opened the synagogue (prayers start at 5:30). At 5:15 there was a siren. Many people who had been on their way to shul turned and went back home. In the end, we were nine people who prayed together and went home.
The night passed with tense quiet and no sirens. That is, until 7AM this morning when I got a glimpse of how the rest of the day would look.
We started prayers with three people and I thought, again we won't get a minyan. In the end, more people came and we ended up with a group of 15. During the time of Torah study, at 10AM, there was another siren. We moved quickly and quietly to the shelter (please G-d we'll be getting our new shelters in ten days). I asked the people there to tell stories of how they have been dealing with the sirens of the previous days. One of the women told of an argument she had with her mother about the possibility of going to Tel Aviv for the day on Thursay. She said, "In Tel Aviv, we can have some peace and quiet." But on that day, at 6:30PM, when they were in the middle of an art workshop, there was a siren in Tel Aviv, too.
Others told stories as well. In the end, I told my story of what happened on Thursday, when I returned from visiting my mother who is in a rehabilitation hospital. A siren sounded right when I stood at an intersection between two main roads in Beer Sheva. Following instructions, I immediately began looking for cover. I looked at the four corners of the intersection: On on corner there are two petrol stations (not a recommended place to find cover), on the second corner they are building a mall, on the third is a playground and sports equipment, and on the fourth, very far away with a high fence, was a building. What to do??? Where to run to????
The sound of the siren is piercing, and I realize that I must find cover. But there is none to be found! Suddenly I see a huge truck stop at the intersection. The driver gets out, stands between the wheels, and calls me to stand next to him to take cover. He says to me, "It's better here than outside!" I look at him and thank him. After a few seconds, I say, "What's your name?" He smiles and says, "Pinni". I say, "My name is Mauricio". I figure, in case something happens, I should know who my new friend is.
This is how we live. We are friends in our shared destiny and try to protect one another. We are not a perfect nation and there is a lot to fix. but we are definitely a nation with solidarity, and the mutual help is felt every day anew. It finds expression in many little things that we are experiencing these days.
Pinni, the truck driver who invited me to take cover next to him, is our neighbor. Yesterday, when he saw that my daughter Maya is in advanced stages of pregnancy, he went and brought her challah for Shabbat. Hundreds (I am not exaggerating) of telephone calls and emails from people around the country calling and offering to host people for a few days, people who they don't know, to find some rest from the tensions, they are all a source of tremendous pride for me, to be part of this nation and this country.
Today there is another source of worry: Reservists received their "tzav 8" orders. It's a very small country and the army is the nation itself. Neighbors, friends, acquaintances. On their behalf: Go safely and return home safely!
May the One who makes peace in the heavens bring peace to us and to all of Israel and the entire world, and say Amen.
I would like to share with you the experience of Shabbat. In our community, we decided to announce that the synagogue would be open for prayers and that I would be there.
The idea was not to invite or encourage people to get out of the house when we are in war. I would remind you that it is the moments of moving from place to place that are the most dangerous. Because when the sirens go off, you have to quickly find cover, which isn't always easy. In these circumstances, leaving the house is everyone's independent decision.
Yesterday, at 5PM I opened the synagogue (prayers start at 5:30). At 5:15 there was a siren. Many people who had been on their way to shul turned and went back home. In the end, we were nine people who prayed together and went home.
The night passed with tense quiet and no sirens. That is, until 7AM this morning when I got a glimpse of how the rest of the day would look.
We started prayers with three people and I thought, again we won't get a minyan. In the end, more people came and we ended up with a group of 15. During the time of Torah study, at 10AM, there was another siren. We moved quickly and quietly to the shelter (please G-d we'll be getting our new shelters in ten days). I asked the people there to tell stories of how they have been dealing with the sirens of the previous days. One of the women told of an argument she had with her mother about the possibility of going to Tel Aviv for the day on Thursay. She said, "In Tel Aviv, we can have some peace and quiet." But on that day, at 6:30PM, when they were in the middle of an art workshop, there was a siren in Tel Aviv, too.
Others told stories as well. In the end, I told my story of what happened on Thursday, when I returned from visiting my mother who is in a rehabilitation hospital. A siren sounded right when I stood at an intersection between two main roads in Beer Sheva. Following instructions, I immediately began looking for cover. I looked at the four corners of the intersection: On on corner there are two petrol stations (not a recommended place to find cover), on the second corner they are building a mall, on the third is a playground and sports equipment, and on the fourth, very far away with a high fence, was a building. What to do??? Where to run to????
The sound of the siren is piercing, and I realize that I must find cover. But there is none to be found! Suddenly I see a huge truck stop at the intersection. The driver gets out, stands between the wheels, and calls me to stand next to him to take cover. He says to me, "It's better here than outside!" I look at him and thank him. After a few seconds, I say, "What's your name?" He smiles and says, "Pinni". I say, "My name is Mauricio". I figure, in case something happens, I should know who my new friend is.
This is how we live. We are friends in our shared destiny and try to protect one another. We are not a perfect nation and there is a lot to fix. but we are definitely a nation with solidarity, and the mutual help is felt every day anew. It finds expression in many little things that we are experiencing these days.
Pinni, the truck driver who invited me to take cover next to him, is our neighbor. Yesterday, when he saw that my daughter Maya is in advanced stages of pregnancy, he went and brought her challah for Shabbat. Hundreds (I am not exaggerating) of telephone calls and emails from people around the country calling and offering to host people for a few days, people who they don't know, to find some rest from the tensions, they are all a source of tremendous pride for me, to be part of this nation and this country.
Today there is another source of worry: Reservists received their "tzav 8" orders. It's a very small country and the army is the nation itself. Neighbors, friends, acquaintances. On their behalf: Go safely and return home safely!
May the One who makes peace in the heavens bring peace to us and to all of Israel and the entire world, and say Amen.
עוֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְעַל כָּל
יוֹשְׁבֵי תֵּבֵל וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן:
Rabbi Mauricio Balter,
Congregation Eshel Avraham,
Beer Sheva, Israel
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Rabbi Menachem Creditor
SFJCF: Update on the Situation in Israel - Sunday
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