Dreaming Bigger: Jewish Leadership for Teens

by Erica Brown, Benji Levy

Overview

A thought book and actionable guide for Jewish teens who want to make a difference in the world.

Teens are changing the world.

Teen leaders are dreaming, planning, and raising the social consciousness of those around them. They are questioning the status quo, using technology to do good, and pushing others to do so as well. They know that they don't have to wait for adults to make the world a kinder, better place.

• Do you look at problems others ignore?
• Do you find joy in helping others?
• Do you want to do something big in the world?

There are many ways to be a leader, and we each have unique strengths. Jewish values such as tzedakah (charity, or justice), and tikun olam (healing the world) can help show us the way. And Jewish heroes throughout history and in the present offer us leadership lessons and personal examples.

While we may never finish the work, we can't wait another minute to begin. Now's the time to find your voice and your cause, to think about your influence, mission, courage, and purpose, and to bring others along with you to do good in the world.

You are leading. You are dreaming bigger.

Dreaming Bigger is a call to action.

It's a workbook, an inspiration, a guide for teens who want to make a difference in the world, supported by their Jewish heritage. It can be read alone or with a friend, in a group, or in a class.

Topics include managing stress, making better decisions, deepening empathy, using technology, speaking in public, ending bullying, fighting antisemitism, advocating for racial justice, and more.

Packed with leadership advice for teens from teens and from experts around the world, insights from Jewish texts, thought exercises, and discussion prompts, it invites readers to grapple with the classic call to action from the sage Hillel:

If I am not for myself, who will be for me?

And if I am only for myself, what am I?

And if not now, when?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681150956
Publisher:	Behrman House, Incorporated
Publication date:	10/25/2022
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	0.01(w) x 0.01(h) x (d)
Age Range:	14 - 18 Years

About the Author

Dr. Erica Brown was recently appointed Vice Provost of Values and Leadership and Director of the Jonathan Sacks Center for Values and Leaderships at Yeshiva University. Her latest book, Esther: Power, Fate and Fragility in Exile, was a National Jewish Book Award Finalist. she lives in New York.

Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy is a co-founder of the philanthropic advisory Israel Impact Partners, Keshev mental health center, and an AI summarizing start-up called Tanna. He is the former CEO of Mosaic United and Dean of Moriah College, and he teaches globally and in person. He lives in Israel.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Dreaming Bigger vi

How to Use This Book ix

Part I Leading Yourself

"If I Am Not for Myself, Who Will Be for Me?"

1 Defining Jewish Leadership 2

2 Who Am I? 7

3 Saying No and Saying Yes 10

4 Why Me? Quieting Your Inner Critic 13

5 Growing and Changing as a Leader 16

6 Leading and Role Modeling 19

7 Imagining Your Future: Writing a Personal Vision Statement 22

8 Your Moral Compass: Articulating Your Leadership Values 25

9 Leadership by Design: Writing Your Personal Mission Statement 27

10 Leadership and Time Management 34

11 Leading as an Introvert, Extrovert, or Ambivert 38

12 What Is Stress? 43

13 Grit and Resilience: The Strength to Keep Leading 49

14 Making Better Decisions 53

15 Limiting Choices 56

Part II Leading Others

"If I Am Only for Myself What Am I?"

16 Leading the Flock 60

17 The Power of Empathy 63

18 The Lost Art of Listening 67

19 Leading Outside Your Comfort Zone 72

20 Stop the Trash Talk 76

21 Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say 80

22 Write It Better 86

23 Control Your Need to Control 89

24 Thanks for the Feedback 92

25 Working with Adults 96

26 Creating Sacred Communities 104

27 How to Have That Difficult Conversation 106

28 Fundraising and Friend-Raising 113

29 Eight Fundraising Hacks 118

30 An Attitude of Gratitude 121

Part III Leading in Community

"If Not Now, When?"

31 It's Now 126

32 Changing the World through Tikun Olam 129

33 Stepping Up and Standing Up 132

34 Prioritizing Leadership 136

35 Turning Problems into Possibilities 140

36 Embrace Your Mistakes 143

37 Innovation Nation 147

38 The Tech Trap 150

39 End Bullying 154

40 Taking the Lead against Antisemitism 157

41 Your I.Q. (Israel Quotient) 162

42 Judaism and Racial Justice 167

43 Inclusion and Diversity 171

44 Getting Inspired and Staying Inspired 176

45 Telling Your Jewish Leadership Story 182

Closing Thoughts: Bringing It Home 185

Appendix: Ten Leadership Superpowers 187

A Note from the Authors 191

Acknowledgments 192

Bibliography 194

About the Authors 196

Jewish Youth Pledge 198