Dr. Erica Brown

Regrowth

Regrowth can be harder than growth because it involves a level of self-knowledge and the discipline to set the right conditions.

Belonging

"We make a mistake when we think religion is only about believing. It’s also about belonging; and belonging is about community, that delicate yet powerful network of relationships where we learn moral literacy – by being there for other people when they need us, knowing that they’ll be there for us when we need them." - Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

And when the leader's time is ended...

Sensitivity to life's passages is seen in the Torah when it tells us about the Levites. Moshe Rabbeinu's farewell is a portrait of aging.

The Torah of Leadership: Climb every mountain

Right before the tribes were to break up and climb their respective mountains, the Israelites heard a surprising announcement.

“I ain’t no false prophet - I just know what I know...."

There are false leaders everywhere. Will we believe in them and give them power or not?

Va'etchanan: Words on fire

What words, advice, or events are burnished in fire within you that you wish to pass down?

The zealous leader

Thoughts on Parshat Pinchas.

Chukat-Balak (Diaspora): Hey there, have a little faith!

What gave Moses the strength to go on after losing his brother, sister and the chance to enter the Promised Land in such a short period?

Bamidbar: Navigating uncertainty

The Israelites spent a long time in a state of unknowing. They had no first-hand knowledge of where they were going.

Thoughts on Parshat Vayakhel/Pekudei: Work and Rest

Rest is not a weakness. It is our greatest strength.

Dress for success

Thoughts on Parshat Tetzaveh.

Sacred work - bringing people together

Leaders have to bring people together, especially those with disparate interests and backgrounds, to work towards a common purpose.

Cursing the Leader/Blessing the Leader

“The cruel reality of leadership is that when things go wrong, you take a disproportionate amount of the blame.”

Confusion and control: Thoughts on Parshat Beshalach

The best leaders make everyone smarter.

Leadership and the prayer community Thoughts on Parshat Bo

Crisis makes leaders and breaks leaders.

Vaeira: When you discover you're like no other

The capacity to challenge cherished beliefs and reigning institutional norms – rubbed off on the Jewish people/

Shemot:Making it good

In Jewish law, we bless on the bad as we bless on the good. That is imitating God.

Leading through darkness Parshat Vayechi

The real summation of Jacob’s last years emerges in a conversation he has, not with Joseph, but with Pharaoh.

The anxiety of approach - culled from Parashat Vayigash

True leaders are willing, like Yehuda, to take an uncomfortable risk to achieve a new state of relationship or negotiation.

Attracted to problems: Parashat Miketz

Sometimes it’s hard to understand what activities and traits distinguish a leader from a follower.

Wait For It: Parshat Vayeshev

The midrash says hold fast to your conviction and strategy until it’s the right time.

The Torah of Leadership (Vayishlach): The Gift

When Esau said to Jacob, “I have enough,” was he rejecting Jacob’s gifts or was there a deeper message?

Toldot: The lies of leadership

This week’s Torah reading, Toldot, paints dishonesty with words rather than images