sticker madness
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Welcome all new guests
Welcome. Today I added another thirty or so e-mails to the blog-list. The response to this FHC-inspired blog has been great. People love the content, the photos and the opportunity to post comments. For those who have just come aboard, check out the prior blog entries. And if you know someone who wants to get this blog, or people who have moved away but want to stay informed, or people who are interested in joining FHC, have them to check out the blog and send in their e-mail address. Shalom. Jeremy
Washington DC Photos
I am pleased to finally include the Washington DC trip photos. Due to my prior inability to transfer the photos to the blog, they remained in a folder stuck in my server. Now, due to my new-found expertise, the photos are here for your viewing pleasure. You may have seen them before, but now they are in color, and can be enlarged by a mere click on the photo. I am looking for more photos to be contributed. You know who you are.... Jeremy
Monday, April 25, 2005
Passover and Baseball (There is a connection)
The passover seder is similar to a baseball game in several ways...
Both are spring-time activities
Both have specific rules that govern the event
Both have specific things that must be covered
Both tend to run too long
Both have yelling and singing and rejoicing
But the similarity that I want to discuss today is that both should have a home and an away day.
Home Seder played at Home
The Passover seder is a traditionally a home-centered event. My home was crazy with the usual fighting and yelling and people coming late and this year we had tough brisket. Even the chef agreed (She said it was a bad cut of meat and not her fault). The home seder (no matter how annoying) is not to be missed and we held ours on the first night of Passover.
Away Seder played on the road
The away seder can be either at a relative's, friends house or for us this year, at FHC.
The FHC seder was warm and inviting and the group was a nice mix of old and young and the seder service was truly enjoyable. While the rabbi did the majority of the work in preparation and organization (his homemade chicken soup was a "HIT", see the baseball connection), and he led the seder, everyone pitched in to serve and clean up. No yelling or fighting regarding who was responsible for clean up and who was avoiding work. (My home seder) Instead, lots of singing and drinking wine and lots of side jokes that were warm teases.
The community seder is an event that FHC should foster and grow. While the seder (including dinner and desert) ended around 10:30pm, the Rabbi told me that it should have gone till midnight. While I certainly did not feel "gyped" by ending at 10:30pm, it can be a bit long for the individuals at the far ends of the age spectrum. (We planned ahead, brought two cars and split our group about an hour early. It worked out great.
The Rabbi was quite animated in the rendition of the ten plagues (he did not include our plague that night of "not so good" chicken, "a fowl ball") but his throwing of rubber frogs to present the frog plague was enjoyed by young and old alike. Reminded me of when they throw out free throwaways at ballgames.
Finally our rendition of tu-zuzim reminded me of the singing chants of days gone by at the ballpark.
The passover seder and baseball; two long cherished traditions which should be played at home and on the road....
Both are spring-time activities
Both have specific rules that govern the event
Both have specific things that must be covered
Both tend to run too long
Both have yelling and singing and rejoicing
But the similarity that I want to discuss today is that both should have a home and an away day.
Home Seder played at Home
The Passover seder is a traditionally a home-centered event. My home was crazy with the usual fighting and yelling and people coming late and this year we had tough brisket. Even the chef agreed (She said it was a bad cut of meat and not her fault). The home seder (no matter how annoying) is not to be missed and we held ours on the first night of Passover.
Away Seder played on the road
The away seder can be either at a relative's, friends house or for us this year, at FHC.
The FHC seder was warm and inviting and the group was a nice mix of old and young and the seder service was truly enjoyable. While the rabbi did the majority of the work in preparation and organization (his homemade chicken soup was a "HIT", see the baseball connection), and he led the seder, everyone pitched in to serve and clean up. No yelling or fighting regarding who was responsible for clean up and who was avoiding work. (My home seder) Instead, lots of singing and drinking wine and lots of side jokes that were warm teases.
The community seder is an event that FHC should foster and grow. While the seder (including dinner and desert) ended around 10:30pm, the Rabbi told me that it should have gone till midnight. While I certainly did not feel "gyped" by ending at 10:30pm, it can be a bit long for the individuals at the far ends of the age spectrum. (We planned ahead, brought two cars and split our group about an hour early. It worked out great.
The Rabbi was quite animated in the rendition of the ten plagues (he did not include our plague that night of "not so good" chicken, "a fowl ball") but his throwing of rubber frogs to present the frog plague was enjoyed by young and old alike. Reminded me of when they throw out free throwaways at ballgames.
Finally our rendition of tu-zuzim reminded me of the singing chants of days gone by at the ballpark.
The passover seder and baseball; two long cherished traditions which should be played at home and on the road....
Friday, April 22, 2005
Write an article, send a photo, comment and eat gefilte fish
This FHC inspired blog was created to open a dialogue, a place where there can be a free exchange of ideas about things concerning FHC. I would like to see more comments. I would like to see more ideas and suggestions. I would like to have people e-mail me photos so that they can be posted for everyone to see.
I am very pleased that people are reading the blog and are even quoting things posted here. That is Great! But I would like to have people raise new issues to discuss and interact with the Blog.
This Blog is not to stir controversy. Rather, it is to stir thought, innovation, ideas and creativity.
I was very pleased that we had a guest writer and I would welcome future guest writers and commentaries.
I have been advised be my wife that we are going to the FHC seder. If anyone would like to discuss this blog, or to provide content, please stop me during the gefilte fish course and we can expand and grow this blog.
To all at FHC, a Happy and Healthy Pesach. Jeremy
I am very pleased that people are reading the blog and are even quoting things posted here. That is Great! But I would like to have people raise new issues to discuss and interact with the Blog.
This Blog is not to stir controversy. Rather, it is to stir thought, innovation, ideas and creativity.
I was very pleased that we had a guest writer and I would welcome future guest writers and commentaries.
I have been advised be my wife that we are going to the FHC seder. If anyone would like to discuss this blog, or to provide content, please stop me during the gefilte fish course and we can expand and grow this blog.
To all at FHC, a Happy and Healthy Pesach. Jeremy
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Patience and planning are virtues
My wife is part of a committee planning a large charity dinner/silent auction/big band/celebrities/press etc. to raise money for my son's disease, Tuberous Sclerosis. (For those interested in learning more about the disease, you can go to tsalliance.org)
The event is May 5, 2005 and the planning and organization for such an event is mind-boggling. From time to time, she has documents e-mailed to me because it is easier for me to print them out at the office. The documents include donor lists, celebrity contributions, planning/scripting of the speeches, menus, scheduling car services for celebrities, silent auction lists. The list goes on and on.
The entire event must come together seamlessly, or at least as close to that as possible.
My wife is not one of the big players in the planning; rather she is one of the diligent foot soldiers working hard and contributing her thoughts on weekly conference calls that sometimes last longer than two hours, not to mention her efforts throughout the months leading up to the event.
Both my wife and I have learned that when working on large projects, which have many components, including making requests to people and companies for things, patience is a virtue.
During a casual conversation, I mentioned the event to a neighbor of mine. Unbeknownst to me, he works for Roger Staubach, a two time Super Bowl Champion quarterback and a Heisman trophy winner. As Adam Sandler stated in one of his movie classics, "not too shabby". (NOTE: Celebrity names are permitted on this blog.)
I mentioned to him that he was my football idol growing up (true) and that it would be great to have an autographed ball to place at the silent auction. He said he would try and get us an autographed ball (on the internet they go for $250-450 each.)
Several weeks went by and it did not look hopeful. Then one evening, our doorbell rang, and sure enough, the neighbor is at my door to deliver an autographed football. He also advised that he would be trying to get us one or two more (for future events).
Similarly, another neighbor of ours works for a well known wine distributor. As a lark, I asked her if her company could contribute a bottle or two for the silent auction. The neighbor told me that that was unlikely since they did not distribute high-end wines. Rather, they distribute mid-priced wines. Without missing a beat, this neighbor offered to speak to her superior about providing a large contribution of wines for the event. After some time, I was advised that they would be contributing over 22 cases of wine, valued at over $2,500. More importantly, this donation saved us over $10,000 since the hotel was going to charge a premium for wine on the tables.
The good neighbors I referred to made pledges to me. They fufilled those pledges. To me, a completed pledge is a mitzvah. While pledges are not money in the bank, when tendered by honorable people, they are as good as gold. Obviously, the pledges made to me were conditioned on the event taking place.
Similarly, a pledge from a congregant for money for a specific project, provided the project goes forward, can be good as gold.
Good things take time. Planning and optimism do not always work together. But sometimes, just sometimes, as the "A Team" saying goes, "you've got to love when a plan comes together".
Patience and planning are virtues.
Jeremy Krantz
The event is May 5, 2005 and the planning and organization for such an event is mind-boggling. From time to time, she has documents e-mailed to me because it is easier for me to print them out at the office. The documents include donor lists, celebrity contributions, planning/scripting of the speeches, menus, scheduling car services for celebrities, silent auction lists. The list goes on and on.
The entire event must come together seamlessly, or at least as close to that as possible.
My wife is not one of the big players in the planning; rather she is one of the diligent foot soldiers working hard and contributing her thoughts on weekly conference calls that sometimes last longer than two hours, not to mention her efforts throughout the months leading up to the event.
Both my wife and I have learned that when working on large projects, which have many components, including making requests to people and companies for things, patience is a virtue.
During a casual conversation, I mentioned the event to a neighbor of mine. Unbeknownst to me, he works for Roger Staubach, a two time Super Bowl Champion quarterback and a Heisman trophy winner. As Adam Sandler stated in one of his movie classics, "not too shabby". (NOTE: Celebrity names are permitted on this blog.)
I mentioned to him that he was my football idol growing up (true) and that it would be great to have an autographed ball to place at the silent auction. He said he would try and get us an autographed ball (on the internet they go for $250-450 each.)
Several weeks went by and it did not look hopeful. Then one evening, our doorbell rang, and sure enough, the neighbor is at my door to deliver an autographed football. He also advised that he would be trying to get us one or two more (for future events).
Similarly, another neighbor of ours works for a well known wine distributor. As a lark, I asked her if her company could contribute a bottle or two for the silent auction. The neighbor told me that that was unlikely since they did not distribute high-end wines. Rather, they distribute mid-priced wines. Without missing a beat, this neighbor offered to speak to her superior about providing a large contribution of wines for the event. After some time, I was advised that they would be contributing over 22 cases of wine, valued at over $2,500. More importantly, this donation saved us over $10,000 since the hotel was going to charge a premium for wine on the tables.
The good neighbors I referred to made pledges to me. They fufilled those pledges. To me, a completed pledge is a mitzvah. While pledges are not money in the bank, when tendered by honorable people, they are as good as gold. Obviously, the pledges made to me were conditioned on the event taking place.
Similarly, a pledge from a congregant for money for a specific project, provided the project goes forward, can be good as gold.
Good things take time. Planning and optimism do not always work together. But sometimes, just sometimes, as the "A Team" saying goes, "you've got to love when a plan comes together".
Patience and planning are virtues.
Jeremy Krantz
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
SPECIAL GUEST WRITER!!!!! (UNEDITED)
Convention '05
An Unforgettable Experience
By:Amanda Krantz
Convention 2005 was amazing , and the friends I met and what I got to experience cause me to have a great time. From blessings after meals, to Asepha, to Saturday Night Fun, the time I spent at Sprout Lake this past weekend was just awesome event and anyone who can go, should. This was my second convention, and I can't wait for the next one!
The whole event was so memorable, even the car ride up to the camp was exciting. Once at camp the four of us who came from First Hebrew were split up into bunks according to age groups, and then we met back in the Chadar Ochel. We met a lot of great people by just saying how we liked their unique style, and that gave way to conversation. In these four days, I would meet so many crazy, fun, unique people. "Convention takes you out of your normal setting and forces you to make bonds with people." That night, I sat up with a couple of my new-found friends from my bunk, and we just talked about normal girl stuff; boys, school, clothes, and what we thought this convention was going to be like.
Friday morning, everyone groggily got up after a 7:45a.m. wake-up, and went to the Chadar Ochel for breakfast;cereal, toast and eggs. After Berchat, we were sent on a "journey". We were each given a bag of trail mix and told to answer the questions on the posters, and follow where they told you to go. Some of the questions were:
*Do you listen to Israeli Music?
*Do you understand it if you do?
*Are you a Zionist if you don't support Israel's economy?
*Who do you prefer; Golda Meir, or David Ben Gurion?
And the last question really stuck in our minds,"Why did you choose to give up your weekend to come to convention?"This last question was the reasoning behind our discussions.Why did we go to camp? My reasoning was I wanted to meet new people, and learn more about Israel. After that, we were led back to the Chadar Ochel for another journey, to learn more about Israel in reference to a Passover Song, in anticipation of the upcoming holiday. This involved the Israeli soccer team, and how some Israeli's and being unjust and are taunting the two Arab players on the team. Also a Israeli show that's similar to our "Apprentice" with Donald Trump, in which a wealthy Israeli seeks help in finding a good spokesperson for Israel. We also learned about Ariel Sharon wanting to pull out of the Gaza Strip, and how some rabbis are disagreeing to this,because Israel is our land. But if we want peace, this may be the path Istael needs to go on to do so.
After lunch, of which the food was not very well favored, we had Asepha. Empire, as usual, took very long to elect our Mazkirot; our regional leaders who would represent us for the following year. Later on, we got ready for Shabbat, which in a bunk full of girls and only so many electrical outlets, is not as easy as it may seem. After a brisk service, in which most of us wanted to go and change into something warm, we had a traditional Friday Night Dinner. We had chicken, challah, salad, and potatoes. After prayers, we were told to change and come back to the Chadar Ochel. The staff had planned a Young Judaea Fear Factor. From eating ketchup packets, to tuna(using no hands), to whole oranges(with the peels). It was crazy! My friend ate the orange, and believe me, she did not think that tasted good. Well after Fear Factor ended, we were sent back to our bunks, which because of Shabbat, the bunk lights were turned off, which made it hard to get changed.
"I sat next to two strangers during Saturday Morning Services, and ended up hanging out with them for the rest of the weekend." Services were, well services, with Aliyot given to those going on Year Course, those whose birthdays were that weekend, and those whom this convention was to be their last at Young Judaea. After kiddush, we split into age-groups, and our group heard about Camp Tel Yehudah and how much fun it was. And from there we had lunch, more discussions,we made a skit about immigrating into Israel, and how the number of immigrats goes up and down. Then we had free time, yes! Time to chill outside and talk more to these new people I met. My new friend Sarah and I laid outside in the sun, and talked about everything, from Israel, to movies, anything that popped into our heads, and by doing so we found we had so much in common. We had region time and then after dinner, another pulot, and then we had to finish our Asepha, which did cut in slightly into our Saturday Night Fun, but I thought that electing our leaders for the upcoming year was important, so I stayed to vote. The rest of my night was so much fun. I bought two hilarious fundraiser shirts: one that said "Herzl is my homeboy" and another which had a picture of a lobster with the caption"trayfe"underneath it. And then as all things do, Saturday Night ended, and my bunk stayed up to talk about what our individual experiences were for that night.
Then, Sunday came, time to go home. We ate, knowing that we'd all be seperating soon. Tearful farwells were obviously none of our strongpoints. We exchanged emails, promised to write, made plans, and hugged. All I know is, personally I can't wait for next years convention, and I hope that more young people from our synagogue's youth group join me next year, it's a lot of fun and a great way to make new friends while learning about Israel.
An Unforgettable Experience
By:Amanda Krantz
Convention 2005 was amazing , and the friends I met and what I got to experience cause me to have a great time. From blessings after meals, to Asepha, to Saturday Night Fun, the time I spent at Sprout Lake this past weekend was just awesome event and anyone who can go, should. This was my second convention, and I can't wait for the next one!
The whole event was so memorable, even the car ride up to the camp was exciting. Once at camp the four of us who came from First Hebrew were split up into bunks according to age groups, and then we met back in the Chadar Ochel. We met a lot of great people by just saying how we liked their unique style, and that gave way to conversation. In these four days, I would meet so many crazy, fun, unique people. "Convention takes you out of your normal setting and forces you to make bonds with people." That night, I sat up with a couple of my new-found friends from my bunk, and we just talked about normal girl stuff; boys, school, clothes, and what we thought this convention was going to be like.
Friday morning, everyone groggily got up after a 7:45a.m. wake-up, and went to the Chadar Ochel for breakfast;cereal, toast and eggs. After Berchat, we were sent on a "journey". We were each given a bag of trail mix and told to answer the questions on the posters, and follow where they told you to go. Some of the questions were:
*Do you listen to Israeli Music?
*Do you understand it if you do?
*Are you a Zionist if you don't support Israel's economy?
*Who do you prefer; Golda Meir, or David Ben Gurion?
And the last question really stuck in our minds,"Why did you choose to give up your weekend to come to convention?"This last question was the reasoning behind our discussions.Why did we go to camp? My reasoning was I wanted to meet new people, and learn more about Israel. After that, we were led back to the Chadar Ochel for another journey, to learn more about Israel in reference to a Passover Song, in anticipation of the upcoming holiday. This involved the Israeli soccer team, and how some Israeli's and being unjust and are taunting the two Arab players on the team. Also a Israeli show that's similar to our "Apprentice" with Donald Trump, in which a wealthy Israeli seeks help in finding a good spokesperson for Israel. We also learned about Ariel Sharon wanting to pull out of the Gaza Strip, and how some rabbis are disagreeing to this,because Israel is our land. But if we want peace, this may be the path Istael needs to go on to do so.
After lunch, of which the food was not very well favored, we had Asepha. Empire, as usual, took very long to elect our Mazkirot; our regional leaders who would represent us for the following year. Later on, we got ready for Shabbat, which in a bunk full of girls and only so many electrical outlets, is not as easy as it may seem. After a brisk service, in which most of us wanted to go and change into something warm, we had a traditional Friday Night Dinner. We had chicken, challah, salad, and potatoes. After prayers, we were told to change and come back to the Chadar Ochel. The staff had planned a Young Judaea Fear Factor. From eating ketchup packets, to tuna(using no hands), to whole oranges(with the peels). It was crazy! My friend ate the orange, and believe me, she did not think that tasted good. Well after Fear Factor ended, we were sent back to our bunks, which because of Shabbat, the bunk lights were turned off, which made it hard to get changed.
"I sat next to two strangers during Saturday Morning Services, and ended up hanging out with them for the rest of the weekend." Services were, well services, with Aliyot given to those going on Year Course, those whose birthdays were that weekend, and those whom this convention was to be their last at Young Judaea. After kiddush, we split into age-groups, and our group heard about Camp Tel Yehudah and how much fun it was. And from there we had lunch, more discussions,we made a skit about immigrating into Israel, and how the number of immigrats goes up and down. Then we had free time, yes! Time to chill outside and talk more to these new people I met. My new friend Sarah and I laid outside in the sun, and talked about everything, from Israel, to movies, anything that popped into our heads, and by doing so we found we had so much in common. We had region time and then after dinner, another pulot, and then we had to finish our Asepha, which did cut in slightly into our Saturday Night Fun, but I thought that electing our leaders for the upcoming year was important, so I stayed to vote. The rest of my night was so much fun. I bought two hilarious fundraiser shirts: one that said "Herzl is my homeboy" and another which had a picture of a lobster with the caption"trayfe"underneath it. And then as all things do, Saturday Night ended, and my bunk stayed up to talk about what our individual experiences were for that night.
Then, Sunday came, time to go home. We ate, knowing that we'd all be seperating soon. Tearful farwells were obviously none of our strongpoints. We exchanged emails, promised to write, made plans, and hugged. All I know is, personally I can't wait for next years convention, and I hope that more young people from our synagogue's youth group join me next year, it's a lot of fun and a great way to make new friends while learning about Israel.
Monday, April 18, 2005
"Spring hath Sprung"
The sun is shining. The birds are chirping, The winter is over (hopefully) and tax season is over.
Things should be moving in the right direction. As Chauncey ("Being There" reference) would say, the season is a time for planting for future growth...
With the coming of Pesach and the warmth of this Spring season, let us hope that FHC is planting for the future, that growth is on the way and that great things are coming.
If not, eat your hametz and get ready for "MATZAH TIME"
Things should be moving in the right direction. As Chauncey ("Being There" reference) would say, the season is a time for planting for future growth...
With the coming of Pesach and the warmth of this Spring season, let us hope that FHC is planting for the future, that growth is on the way and that great things are coming.
If not, eat your hametz and get ready for "MATZAH TIME"
Friday, April 15, 2005
Shabbat Shalom FHC
I guess one could call this blog a continuing labor of love to the congregation and to the families and friends that we have come to know.
FHC has the opportunity to be one large joyous Jewish family working together to grow and advance Jewish causes and needs in Northern Westchester. Like any family there will be disagreements and conflicts. Especially a Jewish family. Moreover, the Jewish community both here and abroad rarely comes to a common consensus on issues. It is hard to find two Israelis that can agree on one thing.
But, we should learn to agree to disagree...
As I stated at a fundraiser last summer, FHC is my extended Jewish family and it is my hope that this family can grow together and develop a FHC Agenda for the Future
Shabbat Shalom Jeremy
FHC has the opportunity to be one large joyous Jewish family working together to grow and advance Jewish causes and needs in Northern Westchester. Like any family there will be disagreements and conflicts. Especially a Jewish family. Moreover, the Jewish community both here and abroad rarely comes to a common consensus on issues. It is hard to find two Israelis that can agree on one thing.
But, we should learn to agree to disagree...
As I stated at a fundraiser last summer, FHC is my extended Jewish family and it is my hope that this family can grow together and develop a FHC Agenda for the Future
Shabbat Shalom Jeremy
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Blog is open!
The FHC blog that I have created is now up and running and so far the response has been 100% positive. The only comment that I received that was critical concerns a clarification of the Blog and not the content.
One individual stated that it should be made clear that this is not a FHC blog, but a Blog set up by Jeremy Krantz about FHC and for the benefit of FHC's membership.
There, I said it. This is not an FHC blog, but a Blog for the benefit of FHC's membership. It will give the membership an opportunity to have a free forum for photos, thoughts, information, ideas, creativity, community, friendship, discourse, and the communication of positions and issues concerning FHC. It is open to the FHC membership and I will be continually be updating the list of individuals getting the blog.
Please feel free to contribute and share your thoughts. Feel free to download a picture you like and use it for your own needs. If you have FHC pictures you would like to post on the blog, please do so, or if you need help, e-mail me the pictures to me and I will post them (or attempt to) to the blog.
Please respect the ground rules that were set forth in the first comments. Show respect to others. Please do not use any names.
Enjoy and start contributing your comments. Jeremy
One individual stated that it should be made clear that this is not a FHC blog, but a Blog set up by Jeremy Krantz about FHC and for the benefit of FHC's membership.
There, I said it. This is not an FHC blog, but a Blog for the benefit of FHC's membership. It will give the membership an opportunity to have a free forum for photos, thoughts, information, ideas, creativity, community, friendship, discourse, and the communication of positions and issues concerning FHC. It is open to the FHC membership and I will be continually be updating the list of individuals getting the blog.
Please feel free to contribute and share your thoughts. Feel free to download a picture you like and use it for your own needs. If you have FHC pictures you would like to post on the blog, please do so, or if you need help, e-mail me the pictures to me and I will post them (or attempt to) to the blog.
Please respect the ground rules that were set forth in the first comments. Show respect to others. Please do not use any names.
Enjoy and start contributing your comments. Jeremy
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
FHC'S FUTURE IS NOW
The FHC Board of Trustees held a special Board of Trustees meeting on April 11, 2005 to discuss and ultimately to provide the congregation, as a whole, guidance in connection with plans concerning the renovation of the FHC building. It was decided, after spirited debate, that the Board of Trustees would present to the congregation a proposal to spend 1.25 million for renovations to be funded by $300,000 from funds obtained from the sale of the Lakeland property and that the balance would be funded by a combination of mortgage, fundraising, donations, dedications of rooms/space, etc.
It was the recommendation of the Finance Committee that the balance of funds held by FHC, approximately $700,000. should be invested for the future of FHC, possibly for the endowment of special programming and for unknown contingencies/needs of FHC.
Another alternative track was discussed wherein FHC and Yorktown Jewish Center could merge, sell their separate assets and fund the building of a new facility. This idea, excluding the merger, has been raised before and would require further review and investigation.
The input of the Congregation as a whole as to these issues is critical to the future of FHC and we should all be present at the upcoming congregational meeting and election.
Jeremy Krantz
It was the recommendation of the Finance Committee that the balance of funds held by FHC, approximately $700,000. should be invested for the future of FHC, possibly for the endowment of special programming and for unknown contingencies/needs of FHC.
Another alternative track was discussed wherein FHC and Yorktown Jewish Center could merge, sell their separate assets and fund the building of a new facility. This idea, excluding the merger, has been raised before and would require further review and investigation.
The input of the Congregation as a whole as to these issues is critical to the future of FHC and we should all be present at the upcoming congregational meeting and election.
Jeremy Krantz
Monday, April 11, 2005
Move the Elephant
It has been said by a recent leader that it is sometimes difficult to "move the elephant". The question is not moving the elephant, the question is do you need to move the elephant? Once you have decided that there is a need to move the elephant, the question becomes, how to move the elephant? Sometimes the elephant, a large powerful animal can take gentle prodding. Maybe an incentive or a punishment. (The old carrot or the stick). Sometimes, the elephant needs to have a more powerful incentive to move.
Which leads me to the comment that sometimes the elephant needs to be moved quickly. While I would prefer not hitting the elephant or hurting the elephant, one could easily startle the elephant with something that it did not expect. Timing and placement of the thing which startles the elephant is crucial. If it has already heard a loud noise before, it may not work.
The next issue is where do you want the elephant to go once you have caused it to move? Again, giving the elephant direction through gentle prodding may work. However, corraling the elephant may be the best method. Corraling the elephant entails showing the elephant that there is only one path you want it to take and that it can take. The path that will lead the elephant to the place where you want it to be.
One must not only want to move the elephant. One must be willing to give the elephant direction so next time it will understand, hopefully on its own, that it is to move in the right direction.
Nothing like a little analogy to give one pause.
Shalom
Jeremy Krantz
Which leads me to the comment that sometimes the elephant needs to be moved quickly. While I would prefer not hitting the elephant or hurting the elephant, one could easily startle the elephant with something that it did not expect. Timing and placement of the thing which startles the elephant is crucial. If it has already heard a loud noise before, it may not work.
The next issue is where do you want the elephant to go once you have caused it to move? Again, giving the elephant direction through gentle prodding may work. However, corraling the elephant may be the best method. Corraling the elephant entails showing the elephant that there is only one path you want it to take and that it can take. The path that will lead the elephant to the place where you want it to be.
One must not only want to move the elephant. One must be willing to give the elephant direction so next time it will understand, hopefully on its own, that it is to move in the right direction.
Nothing like a little analogy to give one pause.
Shalom
Jeremy Krantz
Friday, April 08, 2005
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