Inspired Jewish Leadership : Practical Approaches to Building Strong Communities

by Brown, Erica

• ISBN13: 9781580233613
• ISBN10: 1580233619
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-09-01
• Publisher: Jewish Lights Pub

Summary

Great Jewish community leadership helped Jews survive slavery, guided us to the Promised Land, gave us hope through exile and oppression, and gave birth to the State of Israel. Those who take on positions of leadership in the Jewish community today know that, like Moses, Aaron and Miriam, they will have to make order out of potential chaos, forge a path for others to follow, and sustain a vision of the future in the face of skepticism. Ever mindful of community needs, they will have to strengthen the committed, engage the unaffiliated, and reach out to those on the margins.Drawing on the past and looking to the future, this practical and informative guide provides the framework for working through important contemporary community leadership issues. It takes a broad look at positions of leadership in the modern Jewish community and the qualities and skills an individual has or should develop in order to succeed in these positions. Real-life anecdotes, interviews, and dialogue stimulate thinking about leadership from a Jewish perspective, ethical leadership, conflict resolution, change management, and effective succession planning.Aimed at individuals and organizations, professionals and volunteers, this inspiring book defines various leadership styles and theories, exposes common myths, and coaches readers on the importance of leading with meaning. It includes interactive exercises, questions for reflection, and case studies for individual and group use.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Acknowledgments	p. xi
Introduction: Leading and Meaning	p. 1
Guilt and Pleasure: Putting the Jewish in Jewish Leadership	p. 17
Defining Leadership	p. 31
Who Are We Leading? Age, Ethnicity, and Community	p. 43
Vision and Mentoring	p. 57
Authentic Leadership	p. 75
The Optimistic Leader	p. 87
Leading for Transformation	p. 97
Nurturing Women's Leadership	p. 107
Jewish Leadership and Conflict Resolution	p. 117
Ethical Leadership	p. 139
Changing the World, Changing Ourselves: A Crash Course on Change Management	p. 151
Creating Meaningful Board Service	p. 169
Who's Next? Effective Succession Planning	p. 191
Twenty-five Questions a Jewish Leader Should Ask	p. 203
Leadership Exercises	p. 205
Notes	p. 217
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 227
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