10 thoughts for European Jewish Professionals

1. אם אין אני לי מי לי?

1. YOU ARE IMPORTANT

(יד) הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר, אִם אֵין אֲנִי לִי, מִי לִי. וּכְשֶׁאֲנִי לְעַצְמִי, מָה אֲנִי. וְאִם לֹא עַכְשָׁיו, אֵימָתָי:

(14) He [Rabbi Hillel] used to say: If I am not for me, who will be for me? And when I am for myself alone, what am I? And if not now, then when?

It is easy to forget to take care of yourself. Always remember – you are a Jewish professional but you are also a member of your community and a human being. Your time is important, your personal development and your personal opinions are important. My hope is that through Yesod, you will have opportunities to develop, take time to focus on the long view – your career, your aspirations and how we can help you be a better version or yourself.

2. על שלושה דברים העולם עומד

2. WHAT YOU DO IS IMPORTANT

משנה אבות א׳:ב׳

(ב) שִׁמְעוֹן הַצַּדִּיק הָיָה מִשְּׁיָרֵי כְנֶסֶת הַגְּדוֹלָה. הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר, עַל שְׁלשָׁה דְבָרִים הָעוֹלָם עוֹמֵד, עַל הַתּוֹרָה וְעַל הָעֲבוֹדָה וְעַל גְּמִילוּת חֲסָדִים:

Pirkei Avot 1:2

(2) Shimon the Righteous was from the remnants of the Great Assembly. He would say, "On three things the world stands: on the Torah, on the service and on acts of lovingkindness."

Regardless of your role, directly or indirectly the work that you do for the community involves these three components, in whatever way you define them. This is important and greatly appreciated.

3. קביעת עיתים לתורה

3. KEEP ON LEARNING

כל איש מישראל חייב בתלמוד תורה בין עני בין עשיר בין שלם בגופו בין בעל יסורין בין בחור בין היה זקן גדול שתשש כוחו, אפילו היה עני המתפרנס מצדקה ומחזר על הפתחים, אפילו בעל אשה ובנים חייב לקבוע לו זמן לתלמוד תורה ביום ובלילה הרמב"ם

Every man in Israel has an obligation to study the Torah, whether he is rich or poor, whether healthy or a sufferer from ill-health, whether young or so old that his vigour has gone. Even if he is a poor man who has to beg at the door, and even if he has a wife and family to support, he is obliged to set aside some of his time by day and by night to study the Torah” – Maimonides (From The Book of Jewish Practice, p5 by Rabbi Louis Jacobs)

However you want to define study of Torah, (and obviously whether you are man, woman or else…) Yesod will help you find resources, frameworks and partners to study but it is up to you to set time aside to keep on learning.

4. כל ישראל עברים זה בזה

4.YOU ARE PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER

Kol Israel Arevim Ze Be Ze - All of Israel are responsible for one another

Yesod gives you the opportunity to meet with colleagues who are working in Jewish communities in Europe, facing similar challenges and aiming for a similar goal. We want to support you and tell you that we are in this together and that we see you as part of a joint effort to strengthen Jewish life in Europe.

5. WE ARE FAMILY - WE CARE

I don't need you to agree with me, I need you to care about me! - Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

Yesod does not advocate a particular type of Judaism, nor do we have a fixed definition on who is included in the Jewish community, however we encourage you to think of the members of the Jewish community as a large family where you might have more in common with some members than with others but with whom you share a common past, future and purpose.

6. בונים קהילה

6. YOU ARE BUILDING COMMUNITY

סנהדרין י״ז ב:י׳

ותניא כל עיר שאין בה עשרה דברים הללו אין תלמיד חכם רשאי לדור בתוכה בית דין מכין ועונשין וקופה של צדקה נגבית בשנים ומתחלקת בשלשה ובית הכנסת ובית המרחץ וביהכ"ס רופא ואומן ולבלר (וטבח) ומלמד תינוקות משום ר' עקיבא אמרו אף מיני פירא מפני שמיני פירא מאירין את העינים:

Sanhedrin 17b:10

And it is taught in a baraita: A Torah scholar is not permitted to reside in any city that does not have these ten things: A court that has the authority to flog and punish transgressors; and a charity fund for which monies are collected by two people and distributed by three, as required by halakha. This leads to a requirement for another three people in the city. And a synagogue; and a bathhouse; and a public bathroom; a doctor; and a bloodletter; and a scribe [velavlar] to write sacred scrolls and necessary documents; and a ritual slaughterer; and a teacher of young children. With these additional requirements there are a minimum of 120 men who must be residents of the city. They said in the name of Rabbi Akiva: The city must also have varieties of fruit, because varieties of fruit illuminate the eyes.

You are helping your community to provide for its members’ spiritual and physical needs. See Community Focused in My Jewish Learning

7. כתפיים רחבות יותר

7. WE HAVE YOUR BACK

איני מבקש משא קל יותר אלא כתפיים רחבות יותר

Eini mevakesh ma’amasa kal yoter ela ktefaim rechavot yoter
I ask not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders – Jewish proverb

We are here to support you, to give you access to the experience, knowledge and network of others, enabling you to aspire to achieve greater goals.

8. YOU HAVE WHAT TO LEARN AND YOU HAVE WHAT TO TEACH

תענית ז׳ א:י״ב

אמר רב נחמן בר יצחק למה נמשלו דברי תורה כעץ שנאמר (משלי ג, יח) עץ חיים היא למחזיקים בה לומר לך מה עץ קטן מדליק את הגדול אף תלמידי חכמים קטנים מחדדים את הגדולים והיינו דאמר ר' חנינא הרבה למדתי מרבותי ומחבירי יותר מרבותי ומתלמידי יותר מכולן

Taanit 7a:12

Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said: Why are Torah matters likened to a tree, as it is stated: “It is a tree of life to them who lay hold upon it” (Proverbs 3:18)? This verse comes to tell you that just as a small piece of wood can ignite a large piece, so too, minor Torah scholars can sharpen great Torah scholars and enable them to advance in their studies. And this is what Rabbi Ḥanina said: I have learned much from my teachers and even more from my friends, but from my students I have learned more than from all of them.

Whether you are new to your role or whether you are a very experienced professional, there is always what to learn from others and there is always something that others can learn from you.

9. YOU ARE A ROLE MODEL

דוגמה אישית

Show dugma ishit - be a role model

Lead by example. People see you as representative of your community. This can be seen in your professionalism, in the way you treat your colleagues and the members of your community. Be a mentsch!

10. THANK YOU

הכרת הטוב

In Hebrew we say toda – thank you from the verb lehodot – to recognise. We recognise all your hard work and commitment and we thank you!