The strength of mentorship

Provide a teacher, get a friend

By Bruce Tomar

Mentorship – a relationship where a more experienced person(mentor) guides the personal and professional growth of a less experienced person (mentee) through advice, support, and role modeling, and by fostering skill development, career progression, and confidence.

In Jewish tradition, mentorship is viewed as a sacred, essential and, in many cases, a required act of imparting wisdom, fostering character and ensuring the continuity of knowledge. Pirkei Avot in one of its dictum states: “Provide for yourself a teacher and acquire for yourself a friend.”

One of the unique and major reasons that FJMC has thrived and grown over these last 96 years is due to the reasons stated here. The lessons learned, the ideals we cherish, the history that has made us the largest and oldest Jewish men’s organization continue to be taught from generation to generation.

One of the most powerful examples of mentorship is found in the parsha Yitro.

When Jethro realizes that Moses spends his entire day acting alone to mediate all of the problems of his people, Jethro takes Moses aside and says: “Now listen to me. I will give you counsel(past international presidents). Your job is to represent the people before G-d and enjoin upon them the laws and teachings(FJMC president). You shall seek out from the people capable men who fear G-d, trustworthy men who spurn ill-gotten gains(executive committee) and set these over them as chiefs of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens(regional leaders, club leaders, committee chairs, board of directors).” Moses did as Jethro mentored and life was made easier and more efficient for all.

Yours in brotherhood.

Bruce Tomar is president of FJMC International.