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January 2010

• NEW IDEAS - Natalie Hyatt
• CONFESSIONS OF A RED-FACED RABBI - 'Practically Rabbinic' - Rabbi David Meyer
• SIMCHAT TORAH - Story - Rabbi Bruce Greenbaum
• SHARE ONE NEW THING - Forum Questions
• VALUES BASED LEADERSHIP - Review - Rabbi Edwin Goldberg
• WHY DID YOU BECOME A RABBI?- Results from our last survey questions
• PEACH BRANDY - Humor
• LEADERSHIP - Quotes

By Natalie Hyatt

This quarter, we have some great articles about ideas and creativity. In fact, take a few minutes to provide an idea or new solution of your own during our regular survey. Also, be sure to check out the results of our survey from last quarter. In this newsletter, Rabbi Bruce Greenbaum entertains us with a great children's story he created for Simchat Torah this year. Based on the topic, however, one could use it during any Tot Shabbat service. Rabbi David Meyer makes us laugh with his interesting antidotes about life as a rabbi and some things to keep in mind during life cycle events. Rabbi Edwin Goldberg wraps up The Advantage with an overview of an inspiring lecture on Values Based Leadership, which he recently attended during the Kellogg School of Management's seminar for Jewish leaders. Each contributor gives us something new and different to consider and perhaps adapt for our own use.

I don't know about you, but I always love that moment when a brilliant idea comes to me. It could happen while swimming, or perhaps in the shower. I could be heading somewhere in the car, seemingly on auto. pilot when that amazing idea just seems to come out of nowhere. Perhaps I had been dealing with a problem at home or for work, wondering how or if a solution was possible. Then, all of a sudden, there it is! The ideal solution arrives! In Energy Leadership, this is considered using level 7 energy. It is that time when our brains are in a resting or meditative state with no distractions or burdens to hinder us. Energy Leadership is a newer program for understanding how we use and exert our energy and the various outcomes produced by the energy used. With practice and overtime, we can begin using the energy we choose vs. that which may come automatically (our default tendency). By choosing a more productive level of energy in which to exist, clients indicate feeling more empowered, more fulfilled and definitely happier in their work and personal life. If I've peaked your interest and you wish to find out more about Energy Leadership and the benefits of this program, don't hesitate to reach out via phone (224)715-2091 or email nhyatt@leadinggrowth.com to Natalie Hyatt. Getting started is an assessment away!

By Rabbi David J. Meyer
Temple Emanu-El, Marblehead, MA
An Advice Column for Folks in the Field

PRACTICALLY RABBINIC: It's been said that experience is a hard teacher, because she gives the tests first. I hope that some of my "unfortunate" experiences will help you pass the tests!

Several years ago, I was invited to deliver the invocation at the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame Dinner in San Francisco. It was to be a huge affair with "anyone who's anyone" in professional sports in attendance. My wife and I were seated on the dais alongside the likes of Frank Gifford (announcer), Al Davis (NFL owner), Willie Stargell (baseball hero), George Blanda (football legend), and about a dozen other notables. Unfortunately, the day before the event, one of the presenters, the Hall of Fame pitcher, Lefty Gomez, became critically ill. The organizers called me, and requested of me, during my invocation, that I say a few words of prayer for Lefty's recovery. I have to admit that, rather than rewriting my invocation, I simply added something of a Mi Shebayrach for Lefty.

Later during the evening's festivities, a renowned San Francisco sportswriter introduced George Blanda by remarking: "George Blanda saved half a dozen football games for the Oakland Raiders in less time than it took Rabbi Meyer to deliver the invocation."

I took the ribbing well (I think...) But the lesson I learned that night goes something like this:

• Keep invocations short. The folks in attendance are hungry for dinner.

With that story as a model, I'll share with you some lessons - but not the gory details -- which led to the following insights of rabbinical wisdom. I'll leave "the rest of the story" to your imagination, with the assurance that there is, indeed, a true (and rather embarrassing) experience behind each of these life-cycle pearls.

• When presiding over a funeral, never announce that "The family will be sitting shivah." Always say "The family will be observing shiva...in order to avoid an uncomfortable slip of the tongue."
• Also with regard to funerals, if it is a windy day at the cemetery, stand downwind from the open grave, and always attach your kippah with a bobby pin or clip, in order to prevent it from being blown off and come to rest in a rather unfortunate location.
• Most weddings now are being recorded. Always know where the microphones are hidden. There will usually be one somewhere in the chuppah, so assume that comments made to bride, groom or co officiants will be heard and recorded for all posterity.
• Also with regard to weddings, never assume that parking will be paid for by the hosts at hotel weddings or other affairs. Have enough emergency cash on hand.
• And never conduct a wedding on a boat, unless you're prepared to give it four to five hours.
• If the wedding's taking place on a small, private vessel, be certain to bring along proper medication (to avoid motion sickness).
• During a brit milah, strategically stand behind the mohel. Babies are known to "defend" themselves.
• Finally, my most recent lesson that I would like to pass on as advice to my fellow clergy: When dedicating a home, (during a hanukkat ha bayit ceremony) , always DECLINE the invitation to assist in the hammering to affix any mezuzah made of ceramic, glass, or other fragile material.

Chazak, Chazak, David

David J. Meyer was ordained in 1986 from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and received a Masters of Theology from Harvard Divinity School in 1996. David has served for the past 17 years as Senior Rabbi of Temple Emanu-El in Marblehead, MA. He often learns from his mistakes.

By Rabbi Bruce Greenbaum
Congregation Beth Israel, Carmel, CA

Michael's father (a sofer) made Michael his own special Torah (explain sofer). Found extra special parchment, lovingly wrote out each letter of the Torah. It was Michael's favorite gift in the whole world. Whenever the weather was sunny and warm, Michael would take his little Torah scroll, find a nice place on a quiet hillside, and read from it. One afternoon Michael had just finished a part of the Torah about being kind to your neighbors. It was a little before dinner time and Michael started heading home.

On his way home, he met up with a big bully named Theodore who lived in the village next to his. For some reason Theodore (everyone called him Theo) did not like Michael. That day, Theo found Michael walking by himself on a path. Just because Theo was in a bad mood and feeling really nasty, he grabbed Michael's Torah scroll, and thinking it was paper, tried to tear it up. The parchment would not tear! Frustrated, Theodore threw it high up into a tree!

Michael could not climb that high in the tree, or out on the skinny little branch where it was now stuck, and he began to cry.

I don't know if it was God that heard the cries, but suddenly a bird appeared and landed next to the little scroll high up on the branch. The bird pecked at the branch and the scroll started to come loose, but stayed in the branch. Then a squirrel suddenly appeared, and started chewing on the branches all around the scroll. With both the bird and squirrel at work, soon the branch was bending more and more until suddenly, the little Torah scroll fell out of the tree right into Michael's eager hands waiting below.

He started back to his village, happy with the scroll now safely in his arms.

Of course along came that bully Theodore, who could not believe what he saw. It had been less than 30 minutes ago when he had left that Torah so far up in the tree, he knew Michael would never get it. He started running towards Michael. But as he was getting close to Michael, Theo stepped into a rabbit hole, and as he fell he twisted his ankle.

Michael, thinking about the lesson he had read earlier that afternoon from his Torah quickly made a really good decision. He tucked his little scroll inside his shirt and after making Theo promise to be nice, offered to help Theo get up. Michael saw another branch that had fallen from a tree nearby, and fetched it for Theo who could use it as a walking stick. Then Michael even helped Theo walk home.

From then on, Theo never bothered Michael again and Michael enjoyed spending many afternoons relaxing in the sun and reading his favorite gift in the whole world, his own little Torah scroll.

Bruce Greenbaum has a double BA in Hebrew studies and Sociology. He earned a MA in Hebrew Letters and a second MA in Jewish Education from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and was ordained in 1987. Bruce has served as rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel in Carmel, CA since 1994.

SHARE ONE NEW IDEA YOU, YOUR CONGREGATION OR ORGANIZATION HAVE ROLLED OUT IN 2009 OR ARE LOOKING TO ROLL OUT IN 2010.

This month, our survey focuses on "Sharing a new idea". Please take a few minutes to share with your colleagues something new or slightly different that you have recently rolled out or tried and the impact it has had on you and your congregation or organization. It could be something new you've tried during a staff meeting, a new program, using technology in a new manner, really anything from which others may learn. Remember, the surveys are completely anonymous!

Please click on the link below, and take a moment to answer a few simple questions:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LLYKLWM

Be sure to check back in the next Advantage Newsletter to see how your colleagues responded.

From our last survey we asked the following 3 questions and have posted a few of the responses submitted.

Why did you choose to become a rabbi?

• While I grew up in a rabbinic family, as a woman, being a rabbi was not considered a possibility when I began college, so I was a 43 year old "returning student" when I finally attended rabbinic school. My defining moment was the adoption of my amazing daughter from China in 1992. I realized then that my relationship with her had altered my understanding and experience of God in a profound way, and that this new consciousness was something that I felt commanded to share with and teach to others.
• The short answer is, because I wanted to be a talmid chacham.
• Different reasons at different times: child impressed with the person in the robe, teen's desire to serve Jews. college student's love of Hebrew texts, rabbinical student inspired by Jewish thought, continuing encouragement by family, friends, rabbis, cantors, and finally, while serving as a rabbi came the insight that I was pleased, satisfied and fulfilled with my life as a rabbi.
• In college realizing that my interests were with psychology, philosophy & religion as well as being a people person.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a rabbi?

• Teaching
• Being part of those "peak moments" that Scott Looper mentions.
• Engaging in the personal intellectual, emotional and spiritual struggles of being a rabbi and persevering.
• Helping people

If you could change one aspect of your profession that would make things better for you, what would it be?

• I am currently a rabbi educator but 99% of my duties are in education. I miss the rabbinic pieces, and would love to incorporate some things (like regular preaching and leading services) back into my life. Since there are three other rabbis in my congregation, that is not a possibility here.
• Recognize that making the rabbinate "a spade to dig with" is not the best use of every rabbi's talents and personality, and that there is a real place for rabbis who are learned members of the community.
• Receiving supervision and professional review throughout my career
• A greater sense of volunteerism and generosity from the membership.

By Rabbi Edwin C. Goldberg
Temple Judea, Coral Gables, Florida
Review of a Presentation made by Harry Kraemer of the Kellogg School of Management, December 2, 2009

Along with 66 other rabbis and executive directors (and one synagogue president), I attended the Kellogg School of Management's seminar for Jewish leaders. There were many excellent presentations during the four and one half day seminar, but I found the presentation by Harry Kraemer to be the most inspiring. Harry Kraemer is the former CEO of Baxter Industries (50,000 people) and a faculty member of the Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern University). He has been awarded by the student body the prize for best lecturer.

Mr. Kraemer entitled his presentation "Values Based Leadership" because he believes that a leader must know his/her values before taking action.

Here are some preliminary thoughts he shared for leaders:

1) Keep things simple.
2) Employ common sense.
3) Start leading ASAP - don't wait. Don't let anything get in the way.
4) Leadership is a journey. We can always be better leaders.

The short list above is something to consider when a challenge presents itself. Often we find excuses to complicate things, to avoid common sense, to put off making a leadership decision, or perhaps to assume that we are not qualified to act. Instead we should respond but do so in a way that makes sense based on simple (not simplistic) rules and sound thinking.

The body of the address focused on four essential qualities of leadership:
1) Be self reflective - take time to think. Sit in a chair and think. Write it down.
What are my values?
What are my goals?
What do I stand for?
Do people see what I stand for?
Do my actions reflect my values?
If not, why not?
Do you determine what makes you successful or do you still let others?
Once a year, take a longer period of time to do so! What's my purpose? Why am I here? What are my duties?

2) Balance
A leader takes the time to see all sides - seek to understand before you are understood (Covey)

Listen before you talk!
You want a global perspective, not just seeing the silos - look holistically
Be able to relate to everyone in your community.
Think of the long term not just the short term. Both matter.
Life balance: We must be balanced to lead other people.
168 hours a week is all the time we have given to us, and this is true for everyone. Do you think about how you use those hours or do they just go by?
Create a better life balance for yourself.

3) True Self Confidence

There are a lot of people who act very self-confident but that's not the real deal.
We should feel that we are okay because "I am a learning person and I know what I know and what I don't know."
Q: Have we reached a point where we don't always have to be right?
Set expectations up front so people know what they need to do and what they do not need to do. (Strengths and weaknesses)
We need to give open, honest and direct feedback to people on the team.
Everyone owns his/her own development.

4) Genuine Humility

People talk about but do they internalize this idea?
Truth: we are no more important than anyone else. Really.
Don't forget where you came from.
Keep it in perspective. Don't believe the press clippings!
Don't forget about luck and timing!
Remember the cubical. What did we promise to do differently if we were ever the boss? Now that we are, do we the same thing we complained about seeing in others?
Admit when you are wrong and encourage people to help prevent you from making mistakes.

Value based leaders have no off time! There are no secrets. So do what you believe is the right thing, and people will learn from you.

With these four qualities, we can think of a foundation we are trying to build.

It was clear to me that Harry Kraemer lives his life according to these reflections. This is important, because as he himself declared, "The older people get, the less they pay attention to what you say and the more they pay attention to what you do."

Edwin Goldberg, the author of three books, was ordained as a rabbi in 1989 and earned a doctorate from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1994. Edwin is the senior rabbi at Temple Judea in Coral Gables, FL and has served there since 1996.

There was once a Rabbi of a congregation who loved peach brandy. One of his congregants would make him a bottle each Hanukkah. One year, when the Rabbi went to visit his friend, hoping for his usual Hanukkah present, he was not disappointed as he unwrapped the homemade brandy. However, his friend told him that he had to thank him for the peach brandy from the pulpit the next Friday night. So, as services proceeded that next Friday, the Rabbi suddenly remembered that he had to make a public announcement that he was being supplied alcohol from a member of the temple. That evening, his friend sat in the sanctuary with a grin on his face, waiting to see the Rabbi's embarrassment (doesn't sound like much of a friend at this point!).

The Rabbi walked to the pulpit and said, "Before we begin, I have an announcement. I would very much like to thank my friend, Joe, for his kind gift of peaches... and for the spirit in which they were given!"

"The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been." - Henry Kissinger

"The task of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity, but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there." - John Buchan

"Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it." - Dwight D. Eisenhower

"Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate, and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand." - General Colin Powell

"Leadership is not magnetic personality, that can just as well be a glib tongue. It is not "making friends and influencing people", that is flattery. Leadership is lifting a person's vision to higher sights, the raising of a person's performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations." - Peter F. Drucker