Peace Already. Please.

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This post isn’t about loving Israel, though I do.
This post isn’t about a specific cease fire I’m praying for, though I do.
This post isn’t about picking sides.

Today, I read this sad article, which describes the Israeli citizen response to an arson attack on a school in Jerusalem. The school is the Max Rayne Hand in Hand Bilingual School. Here is their website.

I guess I should be happy that the first thing on the school’s website is a thank you note from the school staff. They thank everyone for the support since the attack and describe how they are progressing in their response and recovery.

A few weeks ago I posted a request on my FB page. I asked for people to post their favorite organizations that brought Jewish Israelis and Arab Israelis together. No one responded. I can think of a few projects, but I wanted to know where other people find hope and inspiration. But there was no response, no hope, no inspiration.

This school is one of the most exciting projects out there.

A few summers ago, a camp friend of mine told me about the Hand in Hand school. She is a teacher at the school. (I’m not mentioning her name here because I don’t want to expose her to arson or any stupid internet hate.) The school is so cool. Here are the first words of their mission: “Building shared society. One school, one community at a time. Our Mission at Hand in Hand is to create a strong, inclusive, shared society in Israel through a network of Jewish-Arab integrated bilingual schools and organized communities.” (Read the rest of their mission here.) This school works with students and families of different backgrounds, different religions, languages, ethnicities, etc. Through meaningful education, this school brings people closer together, closer to peace.

And THAT is why stupid racists lit their classrooms on fire.

Now I’m mad. Usually, I try not to get too mad. Anger erodes my ability to think before I speak. But I’m mad now.

What will I do with this anger? I’m not sure yet, but I wanted to make sure that I told all y’all about it. Mostly, I want you all to know about this amazing school. There are awesome people out there working hard to bring Jews and Arabs together in Israel.

About the arson, I’m not sure what I want to do yet. I’m going to find something productive to do about this. I’m sick of racism. It’s dangerous, in America, in Israel, everywhere. We have to do something big, something different, something soon.

 

How Diverse is Your Diversity?

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Well, my friend Stacey told me that the average job search lasts six months. Depending on how you count it – I’m either in my sixth month or my fourth month. I’m not freaking out yet. I have faith that my 13 years of experience as an educator will be attractive to an Austin school. Or that my 13 years of working as a senior staff member in nonprofit organizations will be attractive to another nonprofit organization here in Austin.

In the meantime, I’ve been thinking about the word diversity. I think that people use the word ‘diversity’ when they mean ‘includes members of some minorities.’ I think people are trying to make diverse staff teams that include some black people or some brown people or some gay people.

I’m not black or brown or gay, but I bet your organization doesn’t have anyone like me. I’ve lived in New York City, Jerusalem, Northern and Southern California as well as Austin, Texas. I’m not just Jewish. I’m a rabbi. A woman rabbi.

So, I guess the question really is: Is there a great school or a great nonprofit that is diverse enough to need me?

A Dream Team – We will work better together.

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I’m grateful to have had some amazing jobs and some amazing colleagues. I’ve learned so much about myself and about teamwork in general. Of course, I recognize that all jobs and all teams come with particular frustrations, but sometimes I let myself dream of a perfect team. My dream job includes a dream team of colleagues.

Progress – This Dream Team consists of individuals who want to improve – ourselves and our work. We are dedicated to reviewing the work we do – talking about and recording what worked, what didn’t work, and what we are missing. We don’t take mistakes personally. We work together to make our work and our organization better and better.

Communication – The Dream Team talks things through. We know each other well because we communicate. We support each other when we are sad and happy, which we are aware of because we communicate often.

Planning Ahead – We sit down together regularly to look backwards and forwards. We dream up zany ideas together. Even though we strive to plan ahead, The Dream Team isn’t afraid to follow through on a last-minute plan if enough of us agree that it’s a fantastic idea.

Conflict – We argue, and it’s okay. Sometimes, we argue opposite sides just to consider an idea or a plan from every angle. We respectfully disagree. We handle conflict with respect and openness. We never pretend to agree or hide our opinions. We work together toward resolutions that everyone can get behind. Individuals are allowed to change their minds without worrying about winning or losing an argument. We try to accept each other’s differences, and, if something gets particularly tough, we try to address it within 24 hours.

The Benefit of the Doubt – The members of the Dream Team give each other the benefit of the doubt. We assume that we each want what’s best for each other and for the team.

Vision – The Dream Team has a big picture mentality. We have a shared vision of our goal and our path. When we get stuck on a problem, our team reviews our next steps in light of our biggest goal and our shared values. When we review our successes and failures, we use our goals as a guide to our next steps. Our shared vision and our shared values help us do our best over and over.

I’m hoping that – if I can imagine it, then I’ll be able to recognize it when I see it. And I really hope they will recognize me as the team member they want and need.

Honest – To a Fault

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I’m all about honesty. How can we work together well if we can’t have an honest conversation? I believe that we can talk anything through – if we start with honesty.

Unfortunately, lots of people see honesty as rude or inappropriate.

After seven years in Texas, I’ve learned that many people would prefer a gentle change of subject to my honest reaction to their question.

I think Texas has taught me this lesson. Here’s my evidence:

I had avoided talking to her for months, maybe years, because she seemed to twist my words and then spread them around. We ended up in the same place. I felt afraid. I smiled.

She threw her arms around me and gave me a long hug. Then, she told me that we ‘need’ to get together for coffee.

With a big smile on my face, I managed to respond: “I like coffee!”

Am I a Career Switcher?

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When my seminary recruited me, one of their selling points was: If you study Jewish Education now, you can always switch to secular education later in life….

BUT now that I’m actually trying to break into the world as a secular educator or a secular non profit professional, everyone only sees the Jewish experience and the Jewish degrees.

So, if anyone out there has guidance into how I can present my Jewish education experience and my Jewish communal service experience as valuable, translatable, transferable experience into the secular world of higher education and non profit management, please share.

Am I a career switcher? Is the switch from working in religious institutions to the secular world a career switch?

Are you Linked In?

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One of my mentors, let’s call her Stacey, told me to make a LinkedIn Page. So, I made one.

If you use LinkedIn – Could you please do me a huge favor? Could you please find me – Susan Lippe – and send me your feedback?

Do I look professorial and professional? That’s what I’m hoping for – please help me get there!

Thanks a million!

What’s the plan?

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I’m looking for a new job, and I’m learning how to best present myself. So, I’m planning to use this blog as a forum to tell my stories.

Everyone has stories, and everyone makes mistakes. These are stories about my mistakes. I aim to post a story or a question at least once each week.

Your feedback will help make my stories better and better. Thank you.