Marshmallows, ketchup, and redemption: How leaders manage expectations

Abstract

So is everything that we all do, for we too are part of this long march toward redemption. As leaders in Jewish Life, we feel the need to push hard, very hard, to achieve our goals; we often feel that we do not have the luxury of patience. But we need to internalize God's lesson to Moses. All meaningful and lasting change is a process. We should not despair and disengage when the results we want are not as quickly forthcoming as we would like. ¶

Extra marshmallows take patience. Ketchup takes patience. Long car rides take patience. ¶

Jewish literacy takes patience. Jewish communal and religious engagement takes patience. Strengthening Jewish peoplehood takes patience. Ultimate redemption takes patience. ¶

So we push ahead with full force but stay the course when the going gets rough. If we persevere over time, we will prevail. As Maimonides taught, "We are in possession of a divine assurance that Israel is indestructible and imperishable, and will always continue to be a preeminent community.