Work
GRINDSTONES ARE DECORATIVE ITEMS NOW.
Relax a little.
we're not slaves anymore. at least take shabbat off.
Work is where we spend most of our waking hours, and something we think about even when we’re not working. It’s such a big part of our lives that Judaism makes a point of requiring us to refrain from it for one day a week (#Shabbat). We hope you are inspired by and find meaning in your work.
Gifts
Some families give a gift on each night. Seriously though, the idea of eight presents for each member of your family, especially if you have kids can feel a little daunting! Some families give one present on the first night and then treats for the remaining nights. Some families do the opposite and start with tchotchkes that lead up to a bigger gift. Some families plan a special night or vacation together. You get the idea. Do whatever works for you and try not to stress. We hate stress.
Fried foods
Latkes and jelly donuts are tried and true and also delicious but get creative. French fries, onion rings, eggrolls, etc. Especially if the holiday falls on a Friday. (Get it? Fry-day?)
Chocolate coins / gelt
Gelt is Yiddish for money. On Hanukkah, in addition to presents, we’re supposed to give money to charity. Back in the day, before Venmo and Apple Pay, people gave their children coins to give away. Somehow that got translated to handing out those chocolate coins in the awesome fishnet sacks. (Now we’re waiting for the next Hanukkah miracle, which will be a new way to get the foil off the gelt without embedding chocolate under our fingernails.)
prayers, blessings, readings, & songs
work readings
What Is A Meeting?
Jewish meetings often start with a D’var Torah or Drash which is a short talk with a lesson that usually takes inspiration from the week’s Torah portion. When a D’var Torah is done well, it is a moment before getting into the business of the meeting, to connect, remember why they are there, and hopefully be a little inspired too. The concept of the D’var Torah is the inspiration for this Meeting Blessing, which is a JewBelong original.
What is a meeting? A block of time. One hour, a half, two if it drags… time to learn, accomplish, decide, convince, debate, admire, laugh and respect. Whether we have known each other for years, or just met moments ago, let us conduct this meeting with open minds; remembering to listen to what is being said and what is not being said. Make it a safe place for dissenting opinions because that is where magic can happen. We will hear numbers…daily, weekly, monthly numbers, numbers of clicks, cancellations, sign-ups, sales, profit, loss and more. We are a mix of professionals, specialists, entrepreneurs, creatives, fathers, mothers, daughters, and sons. Perhaps those of us who are strangers are simply friends who have not yet met. Outside this room we may be experiencing life’s greatest joys or dealing with unspeakable sorrow. Since we do not know who may be suffering, remember to be gracious and respectful to all. The clock is ticking and soon our outlook calendars will have us moving on. May we use our time well and experience even a small measure, of satisfaction, insight, and comradery for with that, our success can add joy and meaning to the world.
-A JewBelong Original
Your Talent Determines What You Can Do
Your talent determines what you can do.
Your motivation determines how much you are willing to do.
Your attitude determines how well you do it.
-Lou Holtz
Your Work Is Going To Fill A Large Part Of Your Life
Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.
-Steve Jobs
May Your Work Excite Your Heart
May your work excite your heart, kindle in your mind a creativity to journey beyond the old limits of all that has become wearisome.
May this work challenge you toward new frontiers that will emerge as you begin to approach them, calling forth from you the full force and depth of your undiscovered gifts.
May the work fit the rhythms of your soul, enabling you to draw from the invisible new ideas and a vision that will inspire.
Remember to be kind to those who work with you, endeavor to remain aware of the quiet world that lives behind each face.
Be fair in your expectations, compassionate in your criticism.
May you have the grace of encouragement to awaken the gift in the other’s heart, building in them the confidence to follow the call of the gift.
May you come to know that work which emerges from the mind of love will have beauty and form.
May this work be worthy of the energy of your heart and the light of your thought.
May your work assume a proper space in your life instead of owning or using you.
May it challenge and refine you, bringing you every day further into the wonder of your heart.
-John O’Donahue
Work Short But Sweet
- It is never too late to be what you might have been.
-George Eliot - I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.
-Michael Jordan - If you see what needs to be repaired and how to repair it, then you have found a piece of the world that God has left for you to complete. But if you only see what is wrong and what is ugly in the world, then it is you yourself that needs repair.
-Menachem Mendel Schneerson - If you are not happy with what you have, you will not be happy with what you get.
-Rabbi Noah Weinberg
