I've been away for a few weeks for Pesach, and read Richard Branson's latest book. I couldn't put it down!
Firstly he is someone who always thinks big and it very much a "just do it!" kinda guy! (Rabbi Naftali Schiff gave me Branson's book "just do it" a while back.) But he also has Virgin advisers around him that are ruthlessy analytical and analyse any business proposal to the nth degree.
He talks about the tension of "firefighting" and 'planning long term', about the importance of approaching charitable causes with the seriousness of business sensibilty and principles.
The book is powerful because Richard Branson is someone who clearly wants to make a difference to the world. Whether it is space colonies, Aids in Africa, the environment, or incredible customer service thoughout his businesses, he is driven by positivity, care, and passion for life.
There was alot I took out of the book that can be incorporated into the idea that is developing.
When I got back from the Pesach vacation, I set up to meet Rabbi Schiff, head of Aish UK, and presented the idea to him. He seemed to like it alot, and gave lots of good input and feedback. I suggested to him that we aim for $3 million to be raised for charity. He said why not $6 million! So that is that!:)
He suggested I meet Rabbi Rowe then and there, 'as this kind of project is his expertise' and he had such a brilliant take on the whole project, and gave it a whole new added focus!
After the meeting that night, while in the airport flying out for business, I sent them a brief outline of what the project would look like based on the chats earlier in the day.
Rabbi Schiff wrote back
"Haven't read in detail, but in theory LOVE IT! Wana check w one of the Aish Big Men and then let's see how to proceed! Shkoach"
The ball is no longer in my court for the time being... Phew! I'll wait to see what response Rabbi Schiff gets from Aish International, and if they want to proceed, and then whether they need me or not to help out with a roll out.
To get to this point has been interesting and exciting! New ideas are complex to implement and many factors need to be considered way beyond my appreciation. It has been a nourishing experience thus far, and eitherway I feel I have learnt alot by connecting more deeply with the ideas of Reb Noach z'l, and trying to do something positive for Jewish pride and invigoration. :)
Wednesday 29 April 2009
Wednesday 1 April 2009
The idea taking form...
Yesterday "Miss logical thinker", Shira Jackson, came to the office, and I tried to eloquently explain the concept that was forming. Firstly she liked it! Yay!
Secondly, she broke it down into different components, giving it a new form. Now at first that was a little disconcerting, like, "what are you doing with the idea..!" but there was definite added value and I've accepted almost all her stylistic points. She is blessed with a very clear mind!
She made me feel really uneasy when she said the whole "Reb Noach" link was a little tenuous to the idea..AHH! Like, that is the...point! But she seemed to be more appreciative of the commercial value of the venture, than the charitable side to it and gave it a thumbs up.
Early this evening I sat in a cafe and started writing in my lovely new notebook! My notebooks always get messy and I'm determined to not let that happen here!
The night before I listened to some more eulogies on Reb Noach from Aish.com, and the amount of facets that he had is just unbelievable! What is interesting is that so many people thought that one facet over another, was his core trait! "His love of Hashem!", "His love of the Jewish people!", "His realness!", "His never ever giving up, determination and focus!" etc etc.
Hearing them all made me realise that perhaps at his core Reb Noach actually had this ANGER! It was a surprising discovery for me, and made his unbelievably gorgeous smile and chuckle all the more deep! I'm not just referring to his anger that he was renowned to have about things that were wrong in the world, but a fundamental, core bubbling anger like the Kosker Rebbe! Stemming from an absolute passion and fixation on TRUTH! He would scream it out, forcing you to take responsibility for the world!
Reb Noach wanted to change the world and wake it up, and to do so one has gotta be bothered by the confusion, bothered by the chaos, bothered by the crisis of the world.
What is remarkable is that the Kosker Rebbe was a complete elitist and yearned for just 10 people who would be able to live on such a level of existence to change the world. Reb Noach, didn't allow himself such a luxury of searching out for just 10, although he yearned for this a times, and literally tried to awaken every person he met and way beyond not just to see reality, but to take responsibility for that reality.
In so doing, with tremendous help from Hashem and the sheer force of his personality, in Rabbi Rowe's words, he yanked the Jewish people towards a whole new direction of hope and strength.
Secondly, she broke it down into different components, giving it a new form. Now at first that was a little disconcerting, like, "what are you doing with the idea..!" but there was definite added value and I've accepted almost all her stylistic points. She is blessed with a very clear mind!
She made me feel really uneasy when she said the whole "Reb Noach" link was a little tenuous to the idea..AHH! Like, that is the...point! But she seemed to be more appreciative of the commercial value of the venture, than the charitable side to it and gave it a thumbs up.
Early this evening I sat in a cafe and started writing in my lovely new notebook! My notebooks always get messy and I'm determined to not let that happen here!
The night before I listened to some more eulogies on Reb Noach from Aish.com, and the amount of facets that he had is just unbelievable! What is interesting is that so many people thought that one facet over another, was his core trait! "His love of Hashem!", "His love of the Jewish people!", "His realness!", "His never ever giving up, determination and focus!" etc etc.
Hearing them all made me realise that perhaps at his core Reb Noach actually had this ANGER! It was a surprising discovery for me, and made his unbelievably gorgeous smile and chuckle all the more deep! I'm not just referring to his anger that he was renowned to have about things that were wrong in the world, but a fundamental, core bubbling anger like the Kosker Rebbe! Stemming from an absolute passion and fixation on TRUTH! He would scream it out, forcing you to take responsibility for the world!
Reb Noach wanted to change the world and wake it up, and to do so one has gotta be bothered by the confusion, bothered by the chaos, bothered by the crisis of the world.
What is remarkable is that the Kosker Rebbe was a complete elitist and yearned for just 10 people who would be able to live on such a level of existence to change the world. Reb Noach, didn't allow himself such a luxury of searching out for just 10, although he yearned for this a times, and literally tried to awaken every person he met and way beyond not just to see reality, but to take responsibility for that reality.
In so doing, with tremendous help from Hashem and the sheer force of his personality, in Rabbi Rowe's words, he yanked the Jewish people towards a whole new direction of hope and strength.
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