Striving for success isn’t solely a matter of chasing victory, but also of embracing failure. Lots of it. As Jewish professionals, we have big aspirations for our work on behalf of the Jewish people. Achieving these audacious goals requires us to take big risks and try new things. Inevitably, some, and perhaps even many, of these endeavors will fail. Prevailing wisdom, and common sense, says we must strive for success, but much research … [Read more...] about Moonshot Thinking: a Series on Embracing Failure
Embracing failure series
Shoot For The Moon
By Mimi Kravetz Failure is key to growth. Very few of us have had significant growth without it, though it is hard to see the upside of failure when it is happening. I learned to grow through failure in an experience I had early in my career when I took a shot at being a social entrepreneur. Frustrated at the extreme tension between the Jewish and Arab/Muslim communities in the San Francisco Bay Area, I worked with a Palestinian American … [Read more...] about Shoot For The Moon
Lost in Translation
By Magda Dorosz When I was first introduced to Hillel’s engagement methodology, I was impressed by how a simple coffee invitation can turn into long-lasting relationships between students and Hillel professionals. The concept of inviting a student out for coffee to learn what’s on their mind and hear about their studies and personal interests outside the classroom seemed like such an easy thing to replicate in Poland. I imported the … [Read more...] about Lost in Translation
Students Will Love This!
By Charles Cohen I was young once. So sometimes I think I have an idea for a program that would appeal widely to students. One I chose to implement in my first year as executive director of Metro Chicago Hillel drew a grand total of eight students over three sessions. Turns out, I might not know everything. I started out with the right process. I asked students directly, “What programs are you looking for?” A few seniors mentioned … [Read more...] about Students Will Love This!
Head in the Clouds
By Sam Friedman It was my first year as Central Florida Hillel’s communications director, and I had a brilliant marketing idea. It had the benefit of never having been tried before, and in hindsight there may be a good reason why. I hired a banner plane. In the spring of 2015, our Hillel was gearing up for Birthright Israel recruitment. And this banner plane would be our full-proof solution to boosting our recruitment numbers. At a … [Read more...] about Head in the Clouds
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