Archive for April, 2012

 

Renewing the Dream

Posted on: April 26th, 2012 by Hayim Herring
Jaffa Gate Windmill

From Jean Spector on Fotopedia

As happened with many rabbinical students of my era, I dreamed about the possibility of making aliyah after rabbinical school. And, like most of my peers with similar dreams, I opted not to. I have some regrets about that decision and I also have tremendous admiration for my colleagues who decided to re-root themselves in Israel.

A few years ago, my wife and I had an opportunity to purchase a small apartment in Yerushalayim. At this stage in our lives, we are only able to use it several times a year, although we hope, God willing, to increase that time as the years pass. I have no illusions – we are not by any stretch of the imagination living a full dream of aliyah. But we are, at least, frequent visitors, possibly beginning the journey that we deferred, and perhaps making it possible for other family members to more easily pursue their dreams of aliyah.

Being physically separated from Israel and trying to celebrate Israel’s Independence Day is a bit of a challenge for me. One way that I can make it more real is to think about it as a call to action for renewing our own ties to our land, language and country. That call to action can take many forms. For some, it means spending serious amounts of time on a regular basis in Israel. For others, it means connecting with family and friends in Israel more regularly. And still for others, it may mean becoming (more) proficient in Hebrew or really immersing in the rich and diverse contemporary culture of Israel.

One of my motivations for working so hard at this stage of life is very personal-it’s so that I can accelerate my timetable for longer stays in Israel. As we look back on Yom ha-Atzmaut, Israel’s 64th Independence Day, how does Israel call upon you to renew your connection?

B’shalom,

Rabbi Hayim Herring

My Zionist Heartthrob, My Zionist Headache

Posted on: April 18th, 2012 by Hayim Herring
Olive Branch

From www.soil-net.com

I just returned from Yerushalayim, where I celebrated Pesach with a part of my family. Ayzeh niflah! It was a wondrous experience that I’ve now had three years in a row. In fact, even though my wife and I have been spending some serious time there more recently since we bought an apartment, I still get a spiritual adrenalin rush with each visit and feel my heart overflowing with love. But increasingly, I’ve also been getting an intellectual headache. Israel evokes religious and emotional resonance but is starting to provoke cognitive dissonance. I really felt this conflict during Pesach.

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Leaders Awaken Hope in Those Who Believe in Them

Posted on: April 4th, 2012 by Hayim Herring
Seder Plate

from "tastytouring" on flickr

In my last blog post (“Don’t Imprison Your Hope for Change“), I raised the issue of how leaders in organizations sometimes impose restraints upon themselves that they later come to believe to be beyond their control. In other words, they actually participate in making themselves prisoners of their own inability to change their organizations.

If that’s correct, this observation also has a bearing upon one of the critical tasks of leaders. And that is to awaken the belief in the possibility of fundamental change in those who follow them. According to one rabbinic tradition, the Israelites are not ready to be redeemed by God  until they first demonstrate some initiative of their own. They have to perform some action that awakens their belief in the power to help shape their own destiny.

Great leaders do not impose their personal views on their constituents. Rather, they awaken the belief in the power of change in other individuals, and guide them toward a new future with love, support, challenge and patience.

Chag Kasher v’Sameach,

Rabbi Hayim Herring