Daniel Lubetzky

Here is another insight from Avraham Infeld:

“First Lesson from the “Shoah” (the Holocaust): Look What Can Happen To People Who Have No Power.”

“Second Lesson from the “Shoah”: Look What Can Happen To People Who Have Power.”

At the concluding session of the Young Global Leaders, a group of YGLs
from all over the world provided a very powerful paradigm contrast as
to leadership styles and life styles: of love vs fear.

“There are only 2 things in the world: love and fear. If you don’t
love it, you fear it.”

“Fear = Exclusion.”

“Love = Inclusion.”

I will try to get the full text to the Fear vs. Love Model. It is
very powerful.

Israeli Taxi Drivers are very special. They are also psychologists,
political scientists, and socialites all packed into one.

Unlike NY taxi drivers where seating on the front is only done when
there are too many passengers, with Israeli drivers you are just as
likely to sit in the front, and the drivers can – and will not
hesitate to – speak knowledgeably about almost any topic.

Many Israeli cabs are brand new Mercedes Benz cars (partly because of
a culture of pride in the car driven, partly becuase of the lo g-haul
quality, and partly because Taxis don’t need to pay the massive 45%
government tax). Fares are reasonable AND tipping is an appreciated
exception.

The best way to get a feel for the sentiment on the Israeli street is
to talk to Taxi drivers. Even though I have a car there, going to
meetings within Tel Aviv can cost you more in parking and give you
more headaches finding a spot than just taking a cab. And there is
the added plus of the taxi drivers.

Trying to get taxi drivers to believe in the power of the people is
not easy – they are skeptical creatures. But they are far more
skeptical of politicians. And when they eventually come on board,
they are strong emissaries. Some have agreed to hand out OneVoice
Mandates from their cabs.
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Today at an event at Benny and Channa Levy’s in EinHod, which the Egyptian Ambassador attended, I was asked by one of the guestshow I managed to stay so optimistic. While the question was asked in a sincere way meant as a compliment, I explained that for me this has nothing to do with optimism but with determination.

While as a person I do consider myself to be a positive thinker and an optimist, the truth is that with regards to the Middle East Conflict and all areas of anti-semitism, I live in the shadow of the Holocaust and am more of a determined pessimist than anything else. The fear of extinction, and the conviction not to allow what happened to my Father to
happen ever again, is what drives me.

The false spectrum that many people often assume is between optimism
and pessimism. But in fact the real distinction is between action and
inaction.

Then there are the low moments, which invariably will come when you
are taking yourself outside the safety zone, which you must do if you
want to achieve something meaningful.

When things are bad or bad news or disappointments come – you must
derive strength – from friends and family, from a steadfastly united
team, from Board members and supporters – and from internal conviction.

Self-analysis and critical introspection are also invaluable here.
But most essential is to not lose the long-term vision, to keep things
in perspective, to remember why you do what you do – and to remind
yourself where you are coming from.

Today as most days over the last couple months has been an almost
intolerable roller-coaster of many highs and some painful lows, of
news, developments, successes, setbacks, warm and much needed pats on
the back, and cold skeptical dismissals that of course also ‘get to
you.’

It started with success after success on the recruitment, media and
fundraising front. But then I got a phone call from an important Arab
dignitary who had promised to lend a hand and unfortunately backed out.

We will certainly overcome, and the momentum is overall steady and
strong. But high expectations can be the worst enemy of your spirit.

My personality is such that I take successes as a given, and I take
setbacks very seriously. They really bring me down.

At these times it is good to be able to count on friends and
supporters whose loyalty is ironclad. And it is important to remember
there is NO ALTERNATIVE but to prevail. Too much is at stake.

Sent from my iPhone – pardon typos
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The Chinese character for Crisis is made up of two symbols: danger, and opportunity.

This insight is by now known all-too-well in the Western world.

What is less known is that most Chinese people have never thought of this beautiful relationship.  For them “crisis” is “crisis.”  And if you push them to explain what that word consists of, and whether they have ever realized of the connection of the components within the word, most will be thinking about that connection for the first time!

The same often happens in our daily lives and cultures and languages.  We are too close to exceptional wisdom which surrounds us.  We don’t question assumptions, we take things for granted, and we assume all facts as they are provided to us – particularly when they are printed or broadcast via media. 

Humanity would be so much better off if we humans were more critically aware and curious, and fight the herd instinct.