Alex Tew has designed a website called Calm.com. The goal is to get people to relax and “chill,” taking a few minutes to not do anything but think and listen to calming sounds. Tew is a big supporter of meditation and believes people need help to relax in today’s fast-paced world. It is important to Continue Reading »
For the past two years, to celebrate his birthday Aaron Rosloff, a 92 year old Jew from New Jersey, has gone skydiving for charity. He was planning on doing the same this year, but his community started campaigning to give even more money if he would agree to NOT jump, for his own safety. Aaron decided not to jump in Continue Reading »
In a recent issue, The Boston Globe lists 54 philanthropists who they believe deserve to be in The Philanthropy Hall of Fame. These people “changed the nation and the world with their charitable giving.” You can see the list here. Who do you think have been the most influential Jewish philanthropists?
Tonight is Tisha B’Av, where we as the Jewish people commemorate the destruction of our Beit HaMikdash, our Temple. I am going to reiterate some points that I made in a post on 8/8/11. Please click here to read the post in full. The Beit HaMikdash was destroyed because of sinat chinam, baseless hatred. At that Continue Reading »
In a humorous (and sad) blog post on Lulu and Lattes, the author describes the scene in sleep-away camps on Visiting Day. Parents literally run to their children as if they have not seen them in years, bring food as if their children have not eaten in weeks and fight others to get the perfect Continue Reading »
A recent article in The Harvard Business Review details the research findings that having a positive atmosphere of camaraderie at work makes a huge difference in employee engagement. The research shows that having friends at work makes employees happier at their job, enabling them to work better and more effectively. The article mentions companies such Continue Reading »
Eric Friedman, a “self-styled philanthropist” recently wrote a book telling philanthropists how they should give, entitled Reinventing Philanthropy: A Framework for More Effective Giving. In his book he claims that donors need to figure out what the world needs and not what they want the world to have. He believes in the importance of critical Continue Reading »
This is an inspirational and thought-provoking video, that is truly a must-watch. To describe it too much would take away from the impact, but it really makes you consider the time that we have and what we do with it. Do we waste the time that we have with petty arguments and worries, or do Continue Reading »
Rabbi James Kennard discusses the importance of Jewish schools in the development of the Jewish identity. He goes further to say that the “greatest difference” is made by the “hidden curriculum,” also known as informal education. Informal education makes learning relevant and brings it to life. At Areyvut, we believe in the power of informal Continue Reading »
Rabbi Joel Seltzer, the director of Camp Ramah in the Poconos, wrote an interesting article on Haaretz.com immediately before July 4th. He discusses how Jewish summer camps provide campers with opportunities to develop their own independence and forge new paths for themselves. Every day is their own “Independence Day.” This is an extremely important period of time for Continue Reading »
