Jewish Community Building:
Lessons from Santa
'Erev Xmas', 2013/5774
Christmas
eve day blossoms in northern New Jersey and at the local drugstore I am on line
with a handful of people who are buying last minute gifts. With a small armful of items in my hand, I
stand in line next to a large seated burly St. Nick doll festooned with an
armful of brightly wrapped gifts. The
‘real’ Santa Claus right now as I write, thanks to NORAD, was just seen over
Johor Bahru, Malaysia. It is an
opportune moment, before he enters American airspace, to reflect on what Jewish
leaders and communities could learn from this intrepid and enterprising
individual.
Why should
we take any lessons from Santa? Lately,
I have noticed a trend that here in my neighborhood and elsewhere, Jewish
groups have been actively seeking wisdom from Chabad about their outreach
strategies. Since many have decided that
the Chabad model is successful, we seek to give credit where credit is due and
to learn from people who are doing amazing outreach work to Jews all over the world
(including places where we might not even think that Jews congregate). Their work is important, meaningful, and
worthy of much kudos.
What can
Jewish communities learn from Santa, an epic powerhouse of wonder, gift-giving,
delight and hope for so many people?
·
Be out
there in public and connect to people where they are – St. Nick, despite
now receiving gift requests via Twitter, shows up at holiday parties, in
shopping malls, stores, and street corners everywhere. You do not have to look hard to find him and…
·
He is
unfailingly positive - With a happy
“Ho ho ho” and a smile, you will never feel burdened by the behind-the-scenes
work of the elves to get him ready to deliver to the world. One day, down the road, he might open up and
share the joys and stresses of keeping the operation going, but in the moments
you meet him he will welcome you with open arms and joie de vivre.
·
Commitment
to the mission – No one doubts the difficulty of Santa’s mission. With a world in which we can order toys and
games online and have them delivered overnight, Santa might be sweating his
relevance. He knows, though, that the experience, the mystery, the wonder of
the elusive visit through the chimney keeps alive a world of delight that point
and click overnight ordering simply cannot replace…
·
Because
what we cannot see is still as powerful, if not more so, than what we can see
– Although Santa is indeed everywhere, even on TV as he questions whether the
Lincoln or Lexus vehicle is a better value, we know that the elusive visit is
still the heart of the Santa experience.
When, as pop culture suggests, children wake on Christmas morning and
find cookies and milk consumed, I imagine they feel reassured and content.
I humbly offer a few ideas that the
Jewish community may benefit from in the example of Santa. None of these ideas is revolutionary
thinking. Many colleagues in the Jewish
world have taught and live by these principles.
Personally, it’s helpful to reflect and refresh, and a little humor can
go a long way!
Are there other lessons we can draw
from Santa for Jewish leaders and communities?
What would you add?
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