It has been challenging for me to sift through the varying offerings to solidify my own ideas of what are the important elements of leadership. The shelf holding my books on the topic of leadership is heavily weighed down. From the perspectives of military generals, organizational gurus, psychologists and politicians, the values and qualities of leadership have been expostulated upon in depth, breadth and volume.

For clarity, I turned to my resident experts. How would young minds, which have not been tainted with the knowledge of readings, lectures or previous discussion define the notion of leadership in its essence?

"A leader is adventurous, strong, full of courage. A leader is as lovely to others as they are to you."

- Annie, age 7

"A leader keeps trying. A leader is a strong soul who never gives up. When there’s a problem, they fix it. You can count on them."

- Emme, age 9

"A leader is someone who is not shy, but goes to the front. A leader is someone who sticks to her ideas and doesn’t give up when someone needs her. A leader knows how to make a difference."

- Lia, age 11

And then I asked them how a leader might be similar to or different from a hero. Annie was quick to reply:

"A leader is someone who is trying to do something. A hero is someone who has done it."

Ponder that simple but powerful perspective while you read this month’s story; the first to be submitted by a reader. This lovely coming of age piece taken from a thirteen year old’s Bar Mitzvah ritual, reveals a young man who has already realized the gifts of taking risks, putting his dreams and passions before a crowd, and living within his own skin.

MICHAEL’S STORY

Being a soccer goalie and being a Jew are both positions that are unique in their own ways.

As a goalie I get to play by a different set of rules. I am allowed to pick the ball up with my hands in a certain area of the field, although no other players are allowed to do so. When my team is at the other end of the field I still stay at my end away from anyone else. As a goalie I wear a different uniform than the rest of my teammates making me stand out. This includes special gloves, a long sleeve shirt of a different color, kneepads, and padded pants. I make quite a fashion statement! This fashion statement is one that my sister Casey, our resident fashion expert, would not be caught dead making.

Jews also wear different clothes: yarmulkas and tallesim. We live by certain laws that are not necessarily binding on others. We celebrate different holy days and speak a different language.

I like playing goalie because you have to be vocal. You have to speak a different language, the language of a leader. You have to be quick and smart, too. Being a Jew and being a goalie both require the ability to make decisions based on knowledge and experience. Decision-making and positioning are key to making the save in soccer. Jewish ethics position us to make the proper decisions in life.

In soccer, you need to be fairly tall in order to reach the ball and protect the goal. Growing taller is something I’m working on! A Jewish person has to stand tall. I believe that it is very important to be independent and proud of the language and customs of our heritage.

I want to thank my grandparents for creating our holiday dinners and traditions and always making our holidays special. I look forward each year to having Passover Seder at our house. Our family’s tradition is to say Chad Gadya using only one breath. At our Seder you must be strong and fearless, just as our people were when they left Egypt, inspired by their leaders who dove into the sea the moment the waters parted.

As a goalie I need to be fearless and prepared to throw my body between the ball and the goal. This includes diving straight into opposing players racing to the goal. I need to be able to jump as well as dive to the ground. When I’m focused on my duty as a goalie, it doesn’t matter how big my opponents are, or how much it means to my Mom that I keep the nose that I was born with.

When I’m focused on my duty as a bar mitzvah, as a young man responsible for fulfilling the commandments, I know that God will protect me, no matter the danger or difficulty.

Being a goalie is a unique position, because by definition...the best you can do is not make a mistake. The goalie’s contributions are not always easily identifiable as the scorer’s contributions. No one usually remembers the saves, just the ones you let by. In that respect, playing the goalie can be a thankless responsibility. But that empty feeling is soon replaced by the great feeling when I make a really spectacular save and hear the roar of the crowded sideline.

Being a Jew means having serious responsibilities to be kind and generous to others without expecting thanks or cheers.

Sometimes when my time needs to be divided between my Hebrew education and sports, I’m in a difficult position and do my best to keep a good balance. My parents have taught me values, which guide me in my daily life, and help me to make good choices. Just as a goalie maintains his unique but critical position among his teammates, my parents have shown me how to maintain my Jewish identity while being an important part of the diverse community I live in. |You don’t have to be the same as everyone else to be considered a part of the team or the community.