The Human

Even though each one of us is an individual, we are often influenced by and have an effect on those around us.

The values I most cherish are those I have gained from my family and community. I try to live through the practices of customs associated with my heritage. The customs have tenets that help define what is the right way one should act. This is also known in Hebrew as “Derekh Eretz” or the way of the land or having a moral compass. Doing good and helping others are vague. To better understand and guide me I have texts of my tradition that I use as road maps. Sometimes daily, and at other times, at intervals when they would apply.

The company we keep and the causes we choose to support reflect on us and what it is we consider important to us.

Life is filled with challenges and opportunities. It is how we face the challenges that come before us that help shape us.

I believe it’s important to volunteer and give back in any way one deems that they can. No matter how difficult we might find our life can be at certain points, there are always other people who are facing challenges as well. In the past I have chosen to give of my time and skills to Not For Sale. They are fighting an uphill battle to abolish modern day slavery.

Former President Obama said: “But for all the progress that we’ve made, the bitter truth is that trafficking also goes on right here, in the United States.  It’s the migrant worker unable to pay off the debt to his trafficker.  The man, lured here with the promise of a job, his documents then taken, and forced to work endless hours in a kitchen.  The teenage girl, beaten, forced to walk the streets.  This should not be happening in the United States of America” Click for more of the 9/25/12 speech in NY.

In addition, I have volunteered to serve on the board of the Massachusetts School Library Association as liaison to vocational schools. I continue to serve on the board of my running club: Greater Neponsett Running Club.