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Speech

November 25, 1993

North American Leadership (1993)

Principles of Leadership

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Note

On Community Leadership (1990)

וכל מי שעוסקים בצרכי ציבור באמונה – הקב״ה ישלם שכרם ויסיר מהם כל מחלה וירפא לכל גופם וייסלח לכל עוונם. Community leadership by people who are genuine and sincere (be’emunah) often yields poor results. We hear the complaints frequently. Yet the promise is made that the difficulties will be overcome and, despite apparent hardships, it is good to assume the burdens. Thus: No one appreciates what you’re doing and there's no reward in it – so: הקב״ה ישלם שכרם – and that’s greater than any human reward or recognition. The worry, the toil, the criticism – it can get you sick and it leaves scars – reply: ויסיר מהם כל מחלה וירפא לכל גופם. You’ve often got to make difficult choices, so that sometimes people are hurt – reply: ויסלח לכל עוונם. People get angry with you and it destroys old friendships – answer: וישלח ברכה והצלחה בכל מעשה ידיהם עם כל ישראל אחיהם ונאמר אמן.
Principles of Leadership

Outline

West Coast UOCJA Conference (1999)

Intro: "The lamb wasn't too good yesterday." "Why, what did he speak about?" I have good news for you Angelenos: the temperature in NY today = 24... In the 9 years since I was last here, much has happened – לטוב ולרע. Good news = Orthodoxy made much progress – the O-U prospered on both coasts as its activities became more focused and its prestige enhanced; Y.U. has grown considerably – in all respects, especially academic improvement, proliferation of Kollelim, and increased numbers at the highest level yet; etc. Bad news = polarization increased enormously – between Orthodox and non-Orthodox and, more painfully, within Orthodoxy – and even within our own Modern Orthodoxy itself. Reform bashing of Orthodoxy and militant calls to arms against us by Conservatives have not added to the dignity of our people. Ultra-Orth hv continued t gloat triumph'y at our disqualific'n as truly Orthx & hv honord sm us — at least 1 of us — w some choice malignant epithets. You will be deliber'g about dialings t M-O, impedmnts/tempt'ns/distractns tht best us, young/old, in our effrts t realz If of קדושה tht=our goal as ppi Tor. Tht w= capbl sch introspctn/slf-critcsm=tribute t our vitalty/hnsty/slf-confdnc. Is als absol neccsty if our commty/values t surw/thrive. Sartre — Zes Mouches or Huis-Clos /No Exit) -HELL-No mirror. By 100kg at slves in colictv MIRROR—see our flaws. Still, facd w all th challngs dredgd up by our slf=critcsm in front comml mirror, w cn becm fidgty/dscourgd. List of sch road-blocks-> insurmountbl, at least frustrt'g/ wearyg. If s meh tm/spl energy is spent strugglg w mighty/hzrds challngs, w navigating the turbulnt seas of mod'y, w the pressures/tensions/stresses tht= peculiar lot of M-O, w barbs & derision fir both sides of us & diffdemce fr w-I, when oh when can we breathe easy, just BE? Whn will we evr get around t living If of a true Jew? Ans: passage in TNY (chap.27) on relentlss struggle w one's Evil אל יפול לב אדם עליו ולא ירע לבבו מאוד גם א…
Principles of Leadership

Speech

Leadership in Jewish Thought (1993)

Rabbi Lamm explores concepts of leadership in Jewish thought.
Principles of Leadership