By
– October 18, 2011
Hal Lewis, associate professor of Jewish Studies and dean of public programming at the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies in Chicago, deftly presents an introduction to a model of leadership based on Judaic sources and traditions. Weaving rather seamlessly biblical, Talmudic, and rabbinic sources through the ages with contemporary secular approaches to leadership, Lewis identifies the inherent tension within a Judaic approach that understands the need for leaders and leadership models balanced against an overarching paradigm in which there is but one true “Leader,” G‑d. He makes the case for what he calls a keteric system (coming from the Hebrew keter, “crown”), in which the desirable approach recognizes the limitations and possible abuses that can result from failing to separate out political (or administrative), religious, and educational aspects of leadership functions in diverse Jewish settings (communities, synagogues, communal organizations, etc.). Lewis highlights the six important character traits that Judaism identifies as being central to good leadership, which must be operationalized as behaviors, if they are to have any real meaning and impact: piety; tenacity; compassion; service to followers; humility; and, consistency and fairness.
This is a highly readable book that can serve as a beginning to a process for a Jewish communal group or organization. Lewis is already a fairly prolific writer on this subject and one would hope that future works would include a “hands-on” guide for Jewish communal groups. There is a pressing need to address how communities can identify and recruit young leaders, cultivating and nurturing the necessary qualities for leadership. The other critical piece to this, perhaps a harder challenge to meet, is creating environments that are conducive to nurturing and sustaining effective Jewish leaders once they assume the mantle of leadership. Bibliography, index.
This is a highly readable book that can serve as a beginning to a process for a Jewish communal group or organization. Lewis is already a fairly prolific writer on this subject and one would hope that future works would include a “hands-on” guide for Jewish communal groups. There is a pressing need to address how communities can identify and recruit young leaders, cultivating and nurturing the necessary qualities for leadership. The other critical piece to this, perhaps a harder challenge to meet, is creating environments that are conducive to nurturing and sustaining effective Jewish leaders once they assume the mantle of leadership. Bibliography, index.
William Liss-Levinson is vice president, chief strategy & operations officer of Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., a consumer health research, information, and publishing company. He holds a Ph.D. in education and is a member of the board of directors of the Jewish Book Council.
