The hardest part about sharing anything, really, is finding the courage to do it. That may be said largely, in part, of the boomer generation, which spends so much time worrying about image and sharing too much – things that are too personal, or that others may not like. But with the accelerating change in technologies, entertainment and design (TED) and TED platforms, young professionals and innovators are helping break these boundaries. Fewer individuals are censoring themselves. They are agreeing to share one thing they all have in common: perspective in order to make the world a better place.
This new shift in information sharing has broadened throughout many social and even cultural circles, as each of us has a unique story to tell. The people we interact with, the situations we were born from, and the actions that we take throughout our life shape our perception of the world.
At The House Toronto – a non-profit Jewish organization that promotes learning, personal growth and teamwork within the community – members have taken the concept of information sharing to a new level, namely through its own version of TED talks. Called JEDx, which stands for Jewish Ethics Defined, this annual event shaped by the success of TED is a big deal.
“Young adults want to be better people. They have good core values as they are learning to be good contributors. And it’s our job – as leaders in the community – to lead by example and share with them information that will help and allow them to make hard decisions that need to be made.”
Launched in 2013, the experience provides a stimulating and moving forum to ask questions, seek guidance and discover fresh outlooks on familiar concepts whilst incorporating cultural and historic values. Connections between Jewish history and popular modern perspectives are also made along the way.
Elliott Levine, Co-Chair of Operations and a Board of Director member at The House, says JEDx is a great inspirational event for young adults.
“These young professionals can see and meet people they can look up to. They can learn about how someone built a business, the challenges they encountered along the way, and how they’ve managed to keep good values within the community all the while.
“Since our mission is to inspire young adults and teach growth for a better world, the more diverse the set of speakers is on an annual basis, the more somebody attending the event will be able to relate,” he goes on to say.
Now in its fourth year, and steadily gaining momentum, JEDx ensures its spectator is met with an intellectual adrenaline rush, one like the feeling that rips through you after a significant accomplishment. Levine attributes this to the fact that young adults in the workplace want to be good contributors to society.
“Young adults want to be better people. They have good core values as they are learning to be good contributors. And it’s our job – as leaders in the community – to lead by example and share with them information that will help and allow them to make hard decisions that need to be made.”
This year’s JEDx event will take place on May 31 at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts in downtown Toronto. Already, about 550 attendees in the 21-35 age group are expected, and tickets are selling fast. Event speakers include, Hillel Fuld, Co-Founder, CMO of ZCast, Tech Blogger, Start-up Strategic Advisor; Sgt. Benjamin Anthony, Founder of Our Soldiers Speak, Combat Reservist in the IDF; Joey Adler, Founder of ONEXONE, Former President and CEO of Diesel Canada Inc.; and Jonathan Ross Goodman, President and CEO of Knight Therapeutics Inc.
All four professionals, despite their different backgrounds, are firm believers in information sharing. Feedback, they each say, is a vital skill to thrive in global issues. No matter what the opinion, left, right or straight down the middle, an impact can only be made when you share your thoughts and ideas.
Hillel Fuld, who is based out of Israel and has been named Israel’s top marketer by the country’s leading think-tank, explains there is always a person-to-person connection to be made – in his case it is bridging Canadian and Israeli Jews via technology.
“As a marketer, I don’t need to give back, just give. And then when I am done giving, [I] give some more.” By sharing, there is this concept of giving someone else information that could completely change the way they see things. It also gives us the power to help people better understand themselves and the issues that we face in our overly complicated world today. Ultimately, we collaborate and exchange thoughts, learn more about ourselves and apply newfound knowledge to make better decisions.
If no one shares their story, their thoughts, their opinions or their ideas in an honest and truthful manner with integrity, you will have nothing to think of other than your preconceived notions.
Fuld, who has also been featured on NBC and Forbes Magazine, attributes his success mostly to his father, who was also his mentor along the way.
“[My father] has and continues to teach me valuable lessons, but the most important one is surely to be a [good person] in all your dealings – personal and business.” The more perspectives you are wiling to view and the more shoes you are willing to try on, the greater understanding you will have of the world around you. If no one shares their story, their thoughts, their opinions or their ideas in an honest and truthful manner with integrity, you will have nothing to think of other than your preconceived notions. Essentially, you will be stuck in whatever mindset you already have, and that’s just not kosher, or good for business.
A 2012 Forbes Magazine study conducted by Glenn Llopis, that surveyed 15 young professionals in New York, determined young adults are eager to learn the best ways to take charge, influence their workplace culture and start performing at higher levels. The study also noted young professionals want to get noticed, create impact and accelerate their advancement. TED talks, the report continued to say, play an important role.
Further, the Forbes report explained that young professionals “want their baby boomer bosses to share their wisdom in the form of storytelling, not corporate speak” to further society’s future generations for the better.
The House’s resident Rabbi, Rafi Lipner, who is the visionary and traditionalist behind JEDx, says young individuals are, in fact, not being driven by the desire of money and success, but rather making a meaningful difference in the world.
“While individuals might be talented or passionate, the magic happens when you connect them with others,” he says.
The Rabbi, who was also an inaugural speaker at the first JEDx event, compares people to the human body and its vital organs.
“Each plays a critical, important role; however, they are rendered useless without the strong connective tissue. That is what makes a strong and healthy body and, essentially, transforms it into a masterpiece.”
The bottom line is if we invest in things that make us feel good and work to solve problems, then it will just get easier to feel good about solving problems.
Says Rabbi Lipner, “in an age where we are driven by success, it is refreshing to be in a space where people are driven by meaning – and that drives their success.”