The Essential learning center
Welcome to the Essential Learning Center
Welcome to The Essential Learning Center. This is where I will share news, information, and links to resources that can help you find more meaning and purpose in your charitable giving and community work. Visit again soon to find interesting articles, notifications about upcoming events, and a place to exchange knowledge.
A Love Letter To Raffi
Dear Raffi, On October 17, 2020, while standing alone outside of the Ryan Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania, I received the news that our time together would be unexpectedly cut short. The diagnosis was metastasized oral melanoma and they gave you...
June 2020: This Moment
What do I do in this moment? What do I say in this moment? How can I best engage in this moment? How should I be in this moment? Who am I in this moment? We all know what is transpiring in our country and in our world. After spending more than eleven weeks in...
April 2020: Alone Together
We are just a few weeks in and we are all settled into our new (temporary) reality. While the daily routine looks different for everyone, there are common threads in this human experience. Those of us who are not on the front lines of the health care crisis or the...
What If…
There is so much fear, and perhaps rightfully so, about COVID-19. And, what if… If we subscribe to the philosophy that life is always working out for us, that there is an intelligence far greater than humans at work… That all is interconnected. What if… the virus is...
The Value of Philanthropy in Families
Over the past several years, I have deepened my understanding of the profound impact that having meaningful conversations can have on members of a family. The “philanthropy” conversation, the one about engaging in the larger world, opens up dialogue and creates...
Living an Examined Life
My suitcase lay open, half packed, on the floor. There is so much more to pack and I seem to be running out of time. How did I take so much away on vacation with me and why am I finding it difficult to corral all of my possessions- mostly clothes— into this one...
Gratitude In This Moment
On October 12, 2018, I boarded a plane to Los Angeles to celebrate the B'nai Mitzvah for the twins of one of my closest friends. The celebration was bound to be festive and the weekend plans were filled with some of the friends that know me best and whom I love the...
Generosity
What does it mean to be generous? When we think of generosity, we tend to think on a large scale. Bill and Melinda Gates, Warren Buffett, Oprah, and other public figures whose largesse is on display. It is easy to think about generosity being an act of the elite...
Extraordinary Relationships: A New Way of Thinking About Human Interactions by Roberta M. Gilbert, M.D.
This book serves as a highly readable and easily accessible gateway to the Bowen family systems theory. Once our basic needs are met, relationships are the most important factors in determining quality of life. At work, productivity and efficiency depend on...
An Exploration of Values in Self and in Relationships
I start each of my client engagements with a series of exercises designed to crystalize the values that each individual holds near and dear. It is through the knowing and holding of these values that allow an individual to fully explore oneself in relation to one’s...
What’s Your Money Message?
“If you want something, then you need to earn it.” is the money message embedded in my brain since I was old enough to want something for myself. I sold soft pretzels most every weekend at a suburban shopping center when I was 11, and I launched a party business,...
Significance
What does it mean to live a life of significance? The definition of significance is the quality of being worthy of attention; importance, of consequence. When something has significance, it has meaning. Who gets to decide? “It is not enough to have lived. We should be...
August 2019: Embarking on Your Philanthropic Journey
"To give away money is an easy matter and in any man's power. But to decide to whom to give it and how large and when,and for what purpose and how,is neither in every man's power nor an easy matter."-Aristotle Many of us have made several charitable contributions. We...
The Philanthropic Learning Curve
Are you ready to embark on a philanthropic journey? Are you feeling like you want to live your life on purpose, but you don’t quite know how to get started? Dipping your toe in the philanthropic waters is like starting a journey without a compass. Surely, it’s...
Philanthropy: Integrating Head and Heart
Do you want to be an effective philanthropist? Do you follow your head or your heart? In order to be an effective philanthropist, you must implement a strategy that integrates the head and the heart. The best philanthropy happens when your values and beliefs are...
Discovering My Why
A “why statement” clearly expresses your unique contribution and impact. The impact reflects the difference you want to make in the world, and the contribution is the primary action that you take to be a difference maker. I have been on a journey to create my own why...
Central High School Valedictorian: Education is Equity
Sasha Hochman graduated as valedictorian from Central High School on May 31. She gave this speech at commencement and will attend Barnard College in the fall. "Good morning. I would like to take a moment to thank President McKenna, and the assistant principals, Ms....
Connection is Key
There are many fundamental needs and issues that need to be addressed in our communities, our cities, our nation and our world. Just a few of the many issues that have grabbed my attention include urban poverty, the opiod crisis, and climate change. Systemic...
Book Synopsis: Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha by Tara Brach, PhD
Tara Brach writes, “For many of us, feelings of deficiency are right around the corner. It doesn’t take much--just hearing of someone else’s accomplishments, being criticized, getting into an argument, making a mistake at work--to make us feel that we are not okay....
In Search of Meaningful Connections
In today’s busy world, it can be challenging to have meaningful conversations. We lead productive lives and we often find ourselves running between meetings, checking our email, our phones, and our other devices to receive and take in as much information as possible....
Book Synopsis: Be Fearless: Five Principles for a Life of Breakthroughs and Purpose
Jean Case posits that people everywhere have ideas of how to make a better world. What they lack is the belief that they can be the one to do it. In Be Fearless: 5 Principles for a Life of Breakthrough and Purpose, she tells stories of everyday people who have big...
Values-Based Philanthropy
I had the pleasure of interacting with diverse and committed philanthropists and engaged citizens this week. On Tuesday, Stuart and Jane Weitzman shared a piece of their philanthropic journey. They expressed gratitude for their Jewish heritage and culture, and to...
Book Review: Belong: Find Your People, Create Community & Live a More Connected Life
Why would I ever go dancing at 7 a.m.? Who thought of that anyway? Radha Agrawal is the Co-founder and CEO of Daybreaker, the early morning dance and wellness movement that currently holds sunrise yoga and dance parties in more than 25 cities and on college campuses...
Book Review: Becoming by Michelle Obama
I rarely ever listen to audiobooks when I’m at home. I enjoy curling up by the fire during winter break to read a good book. Instead, I save audiobooks for long drives. However, when given the option to listen to Becoming read by Michelle Obama, offering a first...
Book Review: Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
Dare to Lead by Brene Brown I’m a Brene Brown fan. Through Daring Greatly, Rising Strong, and Braving the Wilderness, I have learned about wholeheartedness, vulnerability and courage. In Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts., she teaches us...
$1.8 Billion to Scholarships
Back in the summer of 2017, my son Danny’s girlfriend was at our home and we found ourselves once again talking about the college application process. It was the summer before Danny’s freshman year at the University of Michigan and Serena, a rising senior at the...
Introducing Everyday Essentials
I am excited to launch my new two-minute podcast series, Everyday Essentials. The genesis of the podcast stems from a need identified, through the work with my clients, to take small steps in the direction of the change that they seek. Once we decide that we want...
“Failure is a Feeling”
"Failure is a feeling long before it becomes an actual result. It's a vulnerability that breeds with self-doubt and then is escalated often deliberately by fear"- Michelle Obama, Becoming I am keenly aware that there is a very thin line between success and failure....
Book Review: Raised Healthy, Wealthy & Wise by Coventry Edwards-Pitt
Raised Healthy, Wealthy & Wise offers a positive look at healthy adults raised in affluent families. As a philanthropic and strategic engagement coach, with multigenerational clients that range from traditionalists and baby boomers to millennials and even...
Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World Book Review
I have spent all of my professional life in philanthropy, both in leadership positions with nonprofit organizations addressing educational access and with a grantmaking foundation developing philanthropic programs intending to level the playing field for low-income...
A Happy Life or a Meaningful Life?
“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” – Mark Twain These words were quoted by Rabbi Eli Freedman from the bimah of Congregation Rodeph Shalom during Yom Kippor, the holiest day of the Jewish year. The essence...
Dancing at Seven A.M.
I went dancing this morning at 7 a.m. At a club. Downtown. For the past several months, I have heard about a group called Daybreakers. This group encourages people to get up at the break of dawn once a month to begin the day with energy and intention. Come one, come...
Living a Good Life
What is living a good life ? Today I heard Dave Gilboa, one of the co-founders of Warby Parker, answer this question with resounding clarity. “Leaving the world better than it was before you came. Positively impacting a large group of people while having fun along the...
Love. Life. Loss.
Several people that I care about have experienced profound, personal, and deep loss in the past few weeks. These unexpected events have led to periods of sadness follwed by intense reflection on life thus far and how to continue to live it. Here's where I've landed...
Carefully Curated Conversations
I had the good fortune to spend five days in southwest Colorado in early July. The first part of my journey was spent hiking, laughing, reminiscing, and dancing with six girls that I have known for 40 years, and the latter part was spent reconnecting with my oldest...
Book Review: Big Potential by Shawn Achor
“The more you help people find their light, the brighter you both will shine”. In Big Potential, Shawn Achor makes the argument, through research combining neuroscience and data, that our fullest potential can be reached through what we do together collectively and...
Illustrating Essential Leadership: A Manifesto
This manifesto captures the heart and soul of Essential Leadership. How will you choose to show up?
Integrating Learning Earning & Returning
Learn, earn, and then return. I recently read these words in Aaron Hurst’s The Purpose Economy. Hurst was referring to the traditionalist philosophy that structured careers first and philanthropy later. In the first third of life, it was necessary to obtain an...
Initiating Passion
Is “follow your passion” good advice for those seeking more purposeful engagement in their life? When you think about putting your passion into action, think about the what (what are you passionate about) and also think about the how (what outlets will you use to...
Book Review: Change Your Questions, Change Your Life
AUTHOR: Marilee Adams REVIEWER: Amy Holdsman, 21/64 Trainer, President & CEO, Essential Leadership Coaching for Purposeful Engagement and Social Impact BOOK LINK: http://a.co/fsPRAPW Change Your Questions, Change Your Life is an essential book for those in the...
Igniting Strengths
Honesty. Perseverance. Zest. Curiosity. Self Regulation. These are my top five character strengths as assessed by the VIA Institute on Character, a scientifically validated survey created by renowned psychologists Dr. Martin Seligman and the late Dr....
Inviting Gratitude
For years, I intended to keep a gratitude journal. I would often hear about the benefits of this daily practice, but somehow it didn’t stick. I know in my heart what I’m thankful for. My health. My family. My friends. The list goes on. Earlier this year, as I was...
Inspiring Purpose: Crafting Your GPS (Greater Purpose Statement)
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson And yet, when you live your life on purpose, with purpose, you will indeed live...
Intentional Investments
You will make the biggest impact in your engagement strategy when you are intentional about your investments. It is important not to spread yourself too thin so that you focus your resources to make a meaningful difference. When your values are aligned with the issues...
Impactivism
Am I a philanthropist? You may be asking yourself that question when you think about what you have to give and your overall engagement strategy. Philanthropy at its essence is the love of humanity, but the word has come to be equated with significant wealth. It may...
Finding Your Ikigai
I am excited and proud to launch Essential Leadership, coaching for purposeful engagement and social impact. I have created Essential Leadership to work with people to become more impactful and derive meaning from their civic engagements of philanthropy, board...
What is Essential Leadership?
Welcome to the Essential Learning Center. I hope that this video sheds some more light on the work of Essential Leadership. I look forward to talking to you about the many ways that we could work together towards purposeful engagement and making a social...