This week\u2019s parashah\u00a0is Parashat Nasso.\u00a0 Nasso means to \u2018raise up\u2019.\u00a0 It shares the same Hebrew root with the word Nasi which means a \u2018Community Leader\u2019, or in modern Hebrew a \u2018President\u2019. \u00a0 The linguistic connection is clear: Good leadership \u2018raises up\u2019 the community.<\/p>\n
The past week has been a troubling time for those of us who want to teach our children good lessons about leadership.\u00a0 We have witnessed examples of people who are meant to be custodians and leaders in the community behave in ways that are reprehensible. But, we have also witnessed fine examples of leadership.\u00a0 We saw the family of George Floyd, in the midst of their grief, call for peaceful demonstrations.\u00a0 We saw former American presidents and military leaders make important statements against anti-Black racism.\u00a0 We saw them make rare and pointed statements to protect the rule of law against the unjustifiable use of force.\u00a0 What lessons about leadership can we glean from this?\u00a0 We can remind our children that leadership is a matter of how we act, not only our title or position.\u00a0 We can remind them that leaders are people who \u2018raise up,\u2019 rather than \u2018tear down.\u2019\u00a0 Leaders bring people together in mutual understanding, appreciation, and respect.\u00a0 Leaders stand up for what is right, even in the midst of their own pain.\u00a0 In parashat Nasso, each Nasi, each tribal leader, offers precisely the same contributions to the community.\u00a0 One by one, for 12 days, each Nasi came forth, offering the very same contribution in the very same quantities. \u00a0 Here is another message:\u00a0 leadership works when all sectors of the community are enabled to contribute in equal measure. A community thrives when there is fair and equal opportunity for leadership.<\/p>\n
Earlier this week we shared some resources created by leaders<\/a> — writers, religious leaders, and others — who help us \u2018raise\u2019 our consciousness concerning\u00a0racism and inequality. Here are some additional resources<\/a> as well.<\/p>\n This Shabbat, and in the days to come, may we all seek ways to be a \u2018Nasi,\u2019 one who \u2018raises up’ the community through education, leadership and a commitment to equality.<\/p>\n Shabbat Shalom,<\/p>\n Moreh Greg<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This week\u2019s parashah\u00a0is Parashat Nasso.\u00a0 Nasso means to \u2018raise up\u2019.\u00a0 It shares the same Hebrew root with the word Nasi which means a \u2018Community Leader\u2019, or in modern Hebrew a …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":6202,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n