Sharing ideas on Education, Leadership and Life



Monday, September 5, 2011

Deep Roots a Key for the Future

I have blogged a lot lately about Technology, 21st Century skills and Religion. How does it all fit together. How do we find that necessary balance. For those of you that have read my posts you know that someone who I respect and admire is Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. Rabbi Sacks is one who on has achieved this balance between the modern world and religion.
Here are excerpts of a "Though of the Day" from June 2000 called "Dancing with the Past":
"Religious Jews are among the most enthusiastic users of the Internet for educational purposes; and in Israel, a country of only five million, Jews have created the largest high-tech industry outside the United States.
And yet, when it comes to the Torah, we still write the exactly as our ancestors have done by hand on parchment using a quill.
There is a view I hear often in the media almost every day....forget virtues like honour, fidelity,civility;above all,forget religion.They're old...For heaven sake aren't we living in the 21st Century.

It's a view that couldn't be more wrong. It is when the winds blow hardest that you need the deepest roots. When you are entering uncharted territory. it's when you need a compass to give you a sense of direction. What gives us the strength to cope with change are things that don't change....

I knew beyond a flicker of a doubt that those who carry with them the heritage of the past are those who can face the future without fear."

It is clear that as we move forward and face our changing society head on we can only do so if we take our heritage and religion with us.

2 comments:

  1. Very well written, and so true. How do we explain this to the right wing dayschools who are so fearful of technology and the Internet? They don't realize that while they are burying their heads in the sand, their children are getting into unsavory websites. My feeling is that it's important to teach children to value knowledge, and how to use the Internet in meaningful ways. Yasher Koach to you! I always enjoy reading your blogs.
    Faith Shabat, Chicago

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  2. Faith,
    Just saw your comment now.

    Thank you for your insights and kind words.
    I do think that fear often is the main factor that prevents change from happening.
    Thank you for your comment
    Wishing you and your family a Ketiva V'chatime Tova
    A Happy and Healthy New Year
    Akevy

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