An out of control rocket and Hebrew School

I need to fess up. I’ve always enjoyed my time out of school more than in – and that is especially true of Hebrew school. I believe most of my friends would have agreed. Not that we were delinquents.

Sex, and why the “blank” can’t Hebrew schools fix themselves?

Obscenity - Lot and his daughters Genesis Chap 19 31-35

Magil’s timing was perfect. The first Hebrew school in America launched in 1893. By 1908, there were an estimated 100,000 children attending various types of Jewish schools.

The invisible Joseph Magil

Josef-Magil-copyright-1905-image

Joseph Magil was one of the most remarkable yet invisible Jewish educators you never heard about. When you come across his name, think of a 19th century wunderkind listed in the Forward 50, a social media influencer akin to Mark Zuckerberg, and a publisher whose impact reached across America, like William Randolph Hearst.

Our Methuselah Problem

When our youngest turned six he wanted a pet, preferably a dog. My wife and I said no for a variety of reasons and asked what other kind of animal he may want. After witnessing the deaths and “funerals” of a couple of his sister’s short-lived parakeets, our son chose a Russian tortoise. He named it Henry.

Could MacKenzie Scott disrupt Jewish philanthropy forever?

CBS Television - The Millionaire_1956

MacKenzie Scott, an author and former wife of Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos, is a real-world John Beresford Tipton. Even more importantly, she is potentially a human disruptor in the world of philanthropy.

Tsk! Tsk! What a shame she died…Mazel tov!

If the Jewish nonprofit world’s goal is to become stronger for the long term and have far greater impact than it does today, it, too, needs to dig deeper into its own dynamics.

Preparing for Moishe House’s Future

Moshie House

Moishe House is all about Inspiring Jewish Homes for young adults in their 20s. Being in the young adult housemate business, we are naturally experienced with turnover and change.

From a Jigsaw Puzzle to a Future Jewish Boston Revolution

Moishe House is all about Inspiring Jewish Homes for young adults in their 20s. Being in the young adult housemate business, we are naturally experienced with turnover and change.

Announcing the Meaty Awards

Meaty Awards image

I once ran a strategy workshop at a meat packing plant. The executives were laser focused when it came to their goal. All they cared about was ensuring that meat – their only product – was at the center of the consumer’s plate.

Education nonprofits

Education nonprofits

Why don’t more nonprofits collaborate? Why can’t they play nicely in the same sandbox, just like we teach kids to do?

Collaboration can be tough for mission-driven, highly independent nonprofits. All too often I have seen sandbox squabble rather than sharing among nonprofits.