tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.comments2019-04-05T12:51:53.566-07:00LivingJewishLearning Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07872303776016623020noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.post-72708399905598360762014-03-14T12:36:41.343-07:002014-03-14T12:36:41.343-07:00Ok Rob, could we write a book together:
The JEwish...Ok Rob, could we write a book together:<br />The JEwish Community and Permanent Whitewater?<br />And yes it sounds like David Morrison was a prophetAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07872303776016623020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.post-91676777268030193522014-03-14T10:04:39.235-07:002014-03-14T10:04:39.235-07:00Cyd, great post!! It immediately took me back to t...Cyd, great post!! It immediately took me back to the late 1980s when I was working in a small consulting firm. One of our clients was Toronto Dominion Bank (now all over the US). An executive there named David Morrison was traveling all over Canada giving a talk he called "Canada Without Banks." A version of this talk later appeared as a chapter on Managing Change alongside my chapter on Corporate Culture in a 1989 book "The New Frontier in Bank Strategy." That was a quarter century ago and back then Morrison talked about the new business reality as the world moved from an industrial/production economy to an information/service economy (some would say we are past that into a knowledge economy). He talked about how bricks and mortar bank branches would go away in a world based on "Any Time, Any Place, No Matter." <br /><br />We live in that world today and yet many of our synagogues and other Jewish institutions have not adapted as quickly or as fully as have other organizations, including banks (and other, what we now call, "financial service providers"). One key difference between then and now is that, in the old industrial/production economy mindset in which our synagogues were created,the institution set all the terms of the relationship. Oops! Not today. The individual sets their own terms for everything from their coffee to the religious and community engagement. People expect mass customization as a baseline capability!<br /><br />Synagogue boards are often more focused on conserving current members (who may be relatively satisfied with the status quo) than on reaching out to inspire others. They need to do as your train partner suggested--get out of their walls and "terms" and get to know the people they aren't attracting or have already alienated--on THEIR terms. They need to go out and learn what's happening on the fringes, not at the center, of their "market." And they have to offer something distinctive and compelling--the days of thriving as the full-service, big-tent, top-down provider of all things to all people are nearly over. Congregations need to figure out who they want to be, what they want to stand for, what they are really good at, and then experiment with ways of expressing that in each area of Jewish life where they want to "play" and learn as quickly as possible from those experiments; keep what creates relationships, meaning, and impact (as my colleague Amy Asin would say) and keep trying something else. The experiments are not to figure out a single formula that they can then settle into long term. They have to develop the nimble ability to keep experimenting and changing because we live in permanent whitewater.Rob Weinberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14618765930280205361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.post-21042637159857160012014-03-13T13:29:46.053-07:002014-03-13T13:29:46.053-07:00So how do you think that translates to congregatio...So how do you think that translates to congregations? Do congregations offer green, gold and platinum? Do they offer hand holding? what's that look like?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07872303776016623020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.post-52601475054653175302014-03-12T20:14:20.409-07:002014-03-12T20:14:20.409-07:00Amex has essentially three levels of service. The...Amex has essentially three levels of service. The green card experiences customer service mostly electronically. Gold with a person and electronics. Platinum they hold your hand. The key is figuring out who wants what and getting them what they need when they want it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08960775387573994742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.post-30297582105761834132014-03-12T15:27:18.068-07:002014-03-12T15:27:18.068-07:00Hi Lisa, I really agree with the notion the change...Hi Lisa, I really agree with the notion the changes are happening across all sectors. To learn new practices you need role models and viivd images. So I'm thinking other sectors like journalism and banking can offer clear examples of how you operationalize this more nimble, experimental and inclusive way of working. I look forward to hearing more about connected congregations. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07872303776016623020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.post-51304751701865575482014-03-12T15:17:49.421-07:002014-03-12T15:17:49.421-07:00Thanks Helene. It seems we are in a time of great ...Thanks Helene. It seems we are in a time of great re invention and there is a lot we could learn from each other. Thanks for sharing the piece. See you next on booksiswonderfulAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07872303776016623020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.post-22633286217288466222014-03-12T11:41:38.291-07:002014-03-12T11:41:38.291-07:00Cyd, This is a great post, and I'm so happy yo...Cyd, This is a great post, and I'm so happy you engaged in the conversation AND took notes! What strikes me reading this is how so much of what we're dealing with isn't specifically about synagogues or Jewish communal issues, it's about changes in SOCIETY. Those shifts are impacting business and commerce and products EVERYWHERE. Banking, journalism, real estate, etc. The important lessons here are about being nimble, flexible, experimental and iterative. How can we lead organizations and steward a culture that can adapt and adjust to respond to the needs of the populate we engage and serve, while also holding firm to tradition that should outlast the wind blowing this way and that. <br /><br />In fact, I think our long history of tradition and resistance to (or maybe better put, initial skepticism about) change has fostered rigid cultures in many Jewish organizations. You don't have to be CitiBank to be "big enough to not care about each individual" (and BTW, AMEX isn't so small!) Every Jewish organization should be the right size and the right culture to be personal, nimble and responsive. <br /><br />The hard part is how to operationalize it. It requires a) vision, b) a different approach to risk, and c) unlearning and then relearning many of the default settings of our leadership and culture. We've been trying to do this through our Connected Congregations work with UJA Federation of New York. It's much easier said than done, because UNLEARNING and RELEARNING takes time, as does evolving and stewarding culture change. But it's important -- and timely -- work. You can learn more about that project at http://www.connectedcongregations.orgLisa Coltonhttp://www.connectedcongregations.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.post-45308110220750381972014-03-12T06:36:08.312-07:002014-03-12T06:36:08.312-07:00Brilliant! I love the comparisons between the two ...Brilliant! I love the comparisons between the two organizations. That was an educational train ride for both of you.Helene Bludmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02506941982309828672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.post-88801608189349742822014-01-08T13:04:05.598-08:002014-01-08T13:04:05.598-08:00Right on Cyd, so inspiring to see you naming what&...Right on Cyd, so inspiring to see you naming what's true.Benjamin Barnettnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.post-51875654144332611822013-12-15T00:40:17.623-08:002013-12-15T00:40:17.623-08:00whoah this weblog is fantastic i love reading your...whoah this weblog is fantastic i love reading your <br />posts. Stay up the great work! You understand, lots of individuals are hunting around for this info, you could help them greatly.<br /><br /><br />Also visit my blog post ... <a href="http://www.marzanoevaluation.com/forums/user/169571/" rel="nofollow">Quyen</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.post-27711752028615017472013-11-26T10:18:13.679-08:002013-11-26T10:18:13.679-08:00I think that will work, if not let me now, Happy C...I think that will work, if not let me now, Happy Chanukah.<br />Also we are soon releasing Volume 2 of the Coalition Handbook<br />It will have this material.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07872303776016623020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.post-84869873676806549112013-11-26T06:37:03.502-08:002013-11-26T06:37:03.502-08:00I'd really like to be able to read this blog p...I'd really like to be able to read this blog post, but the formatting seems messed up. I'm on PC and have tried viewing it with both Firefox and Google Chrome. Could you fix it to make it readable?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11901600931430108551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.post-48150519406293106582013-11-05T09:27:56.267-08:002013-11-05T09:27:56.267-08:00Wow, now that's what I call responding to your...Wow, now that's what I call responding to your readership!Saul Kaiserman (thinkfred)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07072524572244310450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.post-48656902475507023872013-11-04T15:40:23.035-08:002013-11-04T15:40:23.035-08:00HI Saul, next blog post dedicated to you. 17 model...HI Saul, next blog post dedicated to you. 17 models listed.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07872303776016623020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.post-47837843838087458832013-11-04T11:44:47.412-08:002013-11-04T11:44:47.412-08:00Cyd, what are the 17 models?Cyd, what are the 17 models?Saul Kaiserman (thinkfred)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07072524572244310450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.post-42462569885213889282013-08-21T05:53:16.244-07:002013-08-21T05:53:16.244-07:00Hi Elizabeth,
I'm just putting my syllabus tog...Hi Elizabeth,<br />I'm just putting my syllabus together for the curriculum class at HUC. I'm adding Rachel Kessler's book The Soul of Education. I wonder if you've read her and what you think?<br />CydAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07872303776016623020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.post-42306495945331295572013-08-19T19:39:04.418-07:002013-08-19T19:39:04.418-07:00I have been buzzing ever since the conversation an...I have been buzzing ever since the conversation and came back to the Jewish Education Project Office today to talk more about it. The excitement of the day was captured in your blog so well. Elizabeth Yaarinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.post-15503781418494701612013-06-07T05:39:18.098-07:002013-06-07T05:39:18.098-07:00What I find most exciting about this conversation ...What I find most exciting about this conversation is that we are not only willing to place our questions alongside our advice, but that we are willing to put aside our egos. We all have work to be extremely proud of; initiatives that are truly making a difference. But by opening ourselves up to the conversation, by allowing ourselves to share, question, reflect and brainstorm together, we are able to impact more greatly not only our individual communities, but that of the national story line of Jewish Education. Bring on the chocolate and let's talk.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.post-33669857480064007972013-06-06T14:21:23.945-07:002013-06-06T14:21:23.945-07:00There is truly room at the table: To share results...There is truly room at the table: To share results and quandaries, success and challenge; To explore the possibility of moving our communal story forward together. When you arrive, be ready to step forward with an expectation of good will, a willingness to place your questions alongside your advice and your dreams for Jewish Ed alongside others' dreams for Jewish Ed. And, in the meantime, as Cyd says above, "What is the story we are telling?" Michael Mellennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.post-88950784415947807332013-05-09T17:47:59.330-07:002013-05-09T17:47:59.330-07:00Here's my tag:
Temple Such and Such: We Make G...Here's my tag:<br />Temple Such and Such: We Make Great Grownups!Allison Finehttp://www.allisonfine.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.post-24328725539319043212013-04-24T07:35:14.866-07:002013-04-24T07:35:14.866-07:00Cyd -- once again, spot on. Some people can embrac...Cyd -- once again, spot on. Some people can embrace paradox well (like those who can mix textures, and put together colors that I'd never think would work well together), and others can't touch it (all black, you can't go wrong). When we're leading in teams (boards, Rabbi/President/Exec triad) it's all that much more complex. Sort of like choosing bridesmaid dresses (which is more of a "do no harm" approach).<br /><br />We are in a time when we need to see, embrace and sit with the paradoxes, rather than see them as a black and white issue with a right and wrong side to land on.<br /><br />I'd add to your list something about space. Create a gravitational center for the community to be meeting in, but go to the people and get out in to the community, homes and parks. Not as succinct as your headlines, but a balance (of focus, investment and design) that many are wrestling with.<br /><br />So looking forward to continuing the conversation. And happy to go shopping with you anytime!Lisa Coltonhttp://darimonline.org/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.post-40855973318949576232013-04-23T08:20:33.994-07:002013-04-23T08:20:33.994-07:00Your examples of paradoxes ring so true and have m...Your examples of paradoxes ring so true and have made me stop to think. Very insightful post.Helene Bludmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02506941982309828672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.post-52117368648327239262013-04-10T15:05:47.640-07:002013-04-10T15:05:47.640-07:00Reminds me of our experiences in public schools......Reminds me of our experiences in public schools....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.post-31467397403944983162013-03-24T11:38:14.327-07:002013-03-24T11:38:14.327-07:00Cyd,
What a sad, sad story. I'm sorry for yo...Cyd,<br /><br />What a sad, sad story. I'm sorry for you...and for your congregation. I work in the synagogue world and I expect that your blog post will be flooding the email in-boxes of my colleagues in the coming weeks. I hope we all can learn from it.<br /><br />In the meantime, I wish you a ziessen Pesach, and much success in finding a new spiritual home. Its members will be lucky to have you.<br /><br />~ Jane.JanetheWriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10939674499667620123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1844366543088143167.post-62260772068174537512013-03-24T06:41:06.976-07:002013-03-24T06:41:06.976-07:00I am ashamed to say that I am not surprised by you...I am ashamed to say that I am not surprised by your rabbi's response. And at the same time I am completely astonished at your rabbi's response. I believe many rabbis believe it is about them and not about their congregants experience as Jews once they enter the building. <br /><br />In any given congregation there are easily 5-10 congregations nestled together. Young Families = No kids, Empty Nesters - no kids, Tot service families, Family Service Families, Traditional Minyon, Modern Minyan, Merditative Minyan, Musical minyan, Bnai Mitzvah Minyans and the list goes on. On any given Erev Shabbat or Shabbat there is a gathering of minyanim who respectfully participate in what ever minyan is being represented at the time. Friday night live? Traditionalists tolerate it but don't really enjoy it and the list can go on with who attends certain minyanim and who avoids them. <br /><br />I am always amazed at how many rabbis drive congregants away and membership committees just write it off as an issue about the member or member family. This is an old model where rabbis believe there are another 10-20 families just clamoring to join their antiquated congregational model. <br /><br />At this point you could easily organize Torah study in your home with your same thirty compatriots and live webcast the event to your three thousand readers of this article. In one digital swoop you will have created the largest free virtual minyan your rabbi will never see. <br />You're invited to my Torah study any day, any time. <br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04009052080443563905noreply@blogger.com