I don’t like change.
I am a creature of habit.
I take comfort in the expected.
My husband thrives on change.
He embraces it and relishes the opportunity to allow new ideas, people and challenges to propel forward.
Sometimes our views may therefore clash.
I often recognize the wisdom in his attitude. But it’s hard for me.
I am working on it.
It’s a paradigm shift.
JWC Atlanta just concluded our 15th Israel trip with Momentum.
It was 8 days of ancient Jewish wisdom, connecting to the land of Israel and experiencing it all with an absolutely incredible group of women.
My circle of love has expanded exponentially!
One of the many ideas shared with us by our trip leader, the inimitable Adrienne Gold Davis, was in reference to the paradigm shift.
She encouraged us to look at the situations in our lives as opportunities.
Adrienne mentioned the true story of a shoe chain that sent a sales rep to uncharted territory to open new shoe stores.
The salesman sent a telegram back to the head office.
“Send no shipments of shoes.
They do not wear shoes here”.
The head office sent another salesman to scope out the potential and he sent the following telegram
“Send as many shoes as you can find. They don’t wear shoes here”.
What a perfect example of a paradigm shift.
This week’s Torah portion is called Pinchas.
In the beginning of the portion Moses understands that his life is coming to a close and he will not be entering the Land of Israel.
(We who are so blessed to travel to Israel, must take pause and think about our ancestors, including Moses, for whom the Land of Israel remained but a distant hope and not a tangible destination. How privileged we are!)
Moses first concern is finding a replacement. He knows there needs to be a new leader. The nation cannot be “like sheep without a shepherd”.
When he poses this conundrum to Gd, Moses receives the response to take Joshua as his replacement.
It is interesting that Moses uses the metaphor of a shepherd.
Many of our patriarchs and Jewish leaders were shepherds.
There are many explanations for this phenomenon.
One idea I heard was that a shepherd carefully watched his sheep from the back. He does not direct them but he actively watches them as the flock chooses where to go.
While we know that in the Israeli army the leaders always bravely go first and do not hide in the back behind the troops, there is a need for all different types of leadership to suit the need and the “flock”.
Sometimes the leader needs to make a paradigm shift and not lead from the front and actualize what is important to him, but rather look at the people and see where they are choosing to go and how to provide for their needs, quietly observing and seeing what the people will need to succeed.
When we interact with our children we may have created a pattern of leadership that seems successful. But a different child or a different stage of life may require us to rethink our strategy and shift in a way that will provide the best possible outcome for all involved.
People often ask me how it is possible to go on this trip multiple times. My answer is truthfully that I have been awarded the most amazing gift. Because, I can learn from so many women, so many of our Jewish sisters, who bravely meet their challenges head on, and who openly share their experiences and wisdom with one another. That collective wisdom enables the ultimate paradigm shift as we learn how to cope from another perspective.
The Talmud states it is in the merit of Jewish women that we will ultimately be redeemed and when I see the women amongst us who are not afraid of change, who are willing to learn and lead in the most powerful way, I am no longer afraid of change.
I welcome it!
Shabbat Shalom and so much love from the holy city of Jerusalem!