Pre-Shabbat Thoughts
Throughout my 20-year professional journey, I have had the privilege of working with a variety of leaders: political, social, individual, local, international, and public. One key insight stands out: real leadership is not about imitating others, it is about helping individuals discover their own unique style and persuasive voice. I have learned that the most significant impact arises not from defending a position but from creating spaces where people feel encouraged to engage, even when they have differing opinions. For me, this has meant actively connecting individuals and building bridges rather than walls and connecting people especially because of their differences. I have found the difficult grounds are my comfort zone and where I thrive.
The contrast in my personal (and professional) life between October 6 and October 7, 2023, could not be starker. Like many of you, one day I was celebrating Simchat Torah with my family and community, one of the happiest moments of the year. The next day, I found myself facing the horrors of the attacks in Israel while gathering my SF military unit and heading south, rushing into a reality none of us could have imagined. That contrast remains with me every day: joy and tragedy, hope and pain, always side by side.
Over the years, I have encountered countless people who did not want to hear my voice. Working with crowds worldwide led me being invited to present my story in the craziest places: From local gatherings to the UN Human Rights Council and HQ and various parliaments in three continents. In many times, people tried to exclude me from rooms where I had first-hand experience to share. Instead of pushing back, I decided to create my own platforms, to speak openly, and to invite others to join the conversation. What I found is that many people around me, the “silent majority”, do want to listen. They may not always agree, but they are willing to engage if the space is honest, respectful, and inclusive.
Too often, debates about the Middle East and Israel happen without us. Rather than chasing those who will not engage in good faith, I believe in focusing on constructive efforts, in crafting narratives that speak to shared humanity, and in welcoming debate that can lead to genuine understanding. It is about shifting energy from re-explaining the obvious to building something new and productive, and more importantly, with a long-lasting impact.
If we want to create tangible engagements, we need to know our goals in every encounter. Not what we want to achieve in ten years, but in each and every discussion. We must direct our energy toward building bridges, fostering dialogue, and creating platforms inviting people in. Through this, we move from being reactive to being proactive, from being silenced to being heard, and from huge division to true connection.
As we enter Shabbat, my hope is that each of us can carry the courage to connect with those who are different from us, the wisdom to build bridges where others see only walls, and the humility to listen even when it feels impossible. True leadership is not about winning arguments, but about inviting others into the conversation and shaping a future built on communication, trust, and respect. May we enter the coming week committed not just to dialogue, but to the courage of building bridges where they are most needed.
Shabbat Shalom.
