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Profiles in Leadership
The very definition of the word rabbi is that of teacher. In Profiles in Leadership, Rabbi Kassin is the student, learning from those around him. But he is also the leader, developing new ideas and programs that were innovative and unique. In his book, we see the rebellious teenager, young groom, yeshiva student, teacher and problem solver. Who did Rabbi Kassin meet along the way that influenced him and inspired the passion he had? What motivated him? In his book, Rabbi Kassin entertains us with the stories and experiences that lead to the creation of Shehebar Sephardic Center. He tells of his yeshiva training, the schools he attended, disagreements he had and how they were worked out. With his piercing blue eyes, Rabbi Kassin regales us with stories of the people he met, and what each of those people taught him. Readers see Rabbi Kassin’s lovable yet practical nature, his jovial personality, how he is perceived by those around him and how he faced overwhelmingly impossible tasks yet succeeded in accomplishing his goals. He recounts his journey from his childhood in Miami to Brooklyn and finally to Israel where he founded Shehebar Sephardic Center, the world renowned rabbinical college. But more than anything, readers see inside the mind of Rabbi Kassin, how he is 1000 percent committed to helping the Jewish people and the leadership skills he uses to get things accomplished.
314 pages, Perfect Paperback
Published January 1, 2021
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December 3, 2023
-Rabbi Sammy Kassin, the current head and founder of the Shehebar Sephardic Center, writes of all the obstacles that faced him in the road which leads to his current position. He recounts his upbringing in Miami during the 1940’s, when he would visit his non-Jewish friend and would eat all sorts of non kosher food, to when he was asked if he would study in a yeshiva in Baltimore, though having no background in Hebrew or religious studies, when something inside caused him to say yes.
-Despite being ordered to leave the yeshiva by the Rabbis, as he was in his upper teens and, like Rabbi Akiva, had no knowledge of Hebrew, he insisted on staying and studied with the 5th graders. With the help of others his age who recognized his desire to learn, he managed to excel and had such joy in learning that he decided that this was the future path for his life.
-After returning for a visit to his parents back home, his father wanted him to stay and enter the business world. In response, he secretly flew back to Israel, and God’s providence showed itself repeatedly as he found a place to stay and study. He felt Hashem’s guidance again as he found a woman who he felt was truly his partner in life who he married and with whom he started a family.
-His guiding principle was to be aware of a need and fulfill it. This was shown early on when he lived in a rough area of the town and saw the kids on the street. When he questioned them he found out that they were thrown out of the synagogues they attended because they would speak during services. He realized that these kids had to be given a chance to experience religion and he created a “sinagogue” where he would turn a blind eye to their sins but he would slowly create a love in their hearts for religion.
-The Rabbi relates how he went from one project to another, building his yeshiva to teach the students to go out and teach others. They didn’t have to excel in their studies but they had to know enough to guide those in the places they were to be sent to around the world. Strict adherence to the letter of the law at the outset was not his way of reaching out, but he had his Rabbinical “students” slowly introduce Jewish laws to the congregations they were sent to in order to gradually create a love for the religion. It gave the congregants, whose first introduction to Jewish law was through the Rabbinic emissaries, the time to understand what Judaism was about, and then, to embrace it.
-As a leader, he often took chances on others, and would always consider all the people that took chances on him. Although things may not have always worked out, the number and percentage of successes that he experienced give support for his way of thinking.
-We travel the world with him, as those who learned under his tutelage have been placed in so many different countries, from Russia, to countries in Asia, to areas in the U.S., to South America, bringing Torah values to those that would never have experienced it otherwise.
-As a guiding thought for what he believes leadership should be, he states “How does a leader become innovative? First, identify needs consistent with your goals, and then devise a practical way of fulfilling those needs. Finally, overcome all the usual obstacles to innovation by determined execution and prayer. View copiers as a sure sign of success, and move on to the next level.”
-Ricky Cohen, who at 18 began his relationship with the Rabbi, pointed out that the Rabbi’s defining strength was “No person has to burden himself with the sense that whatever he/she starts must be completed. It is not your responsibility to finish the work.” The important thing is to recognize a need and act to fill it. That was and is the Rabbi’s mantra.
-By always keeping his eyes open as to how to potentially help Jews everywhere and surrounding himself with capable people who he’s also trained, he’s insured that all of his many projects that he’s started will continue successfully for years to come.
-Despite being ordered to leave the yeshiva by the Rabbis, as he was in his upper teens and, like Rabbi Akiva, had no knowledge of Hebrew, he insisted on staying and studied with the 5th graders. With the help of others his age who recognized his desire to learn, he managed to excel and had such joy in learning that he decided that this was the future path for his life.
-After returning for a visit to his parents back home, his father wanted him to stay and enter the business world. In response, he secretly flew back to Israel, and God’s providence showed itself repeatedly as he found a place to stay and study. He felt Hashem’s guidance again as he found a woman who he felt was truly his partner in life who he married and with whom he started a family.
-His guiding principle was to be aware of a need and fulfill it. This was shown early on when he lived in a rough area of the town and saw the kids on the street. When he questioned them he found out that they were thrown out of the synagogues they attended because they would speak during services. He realized that these kids had to be given a chance to experience religion and he created a “sinagogue” where he would turn a blind eye to their sins but he would slowly create a love in their hearts for religion.
-The Rabbi relates how he went from one project to another, building his yeshiva to teach the students to go out and teach others. They didn’t have to excel in their studies but they had to know enough to guide those in the places they were to be sent to around the world. Strict adherence to the letter of the law at the outset was not his way of reaching out, but he had his Rabbinical “students” slowly introduce Jewish laws to the congregations they were sent to in order to gradually create a love for the religion. It gave the congregants, whose first introduction to Jewish law was through the Rabbinic emissaries, the time to understand what Judaism was about, and then, to embrace it.
-As a leader, he often took chances on others, and would always consider all the people that took chances on him. Although things may not have always worked out, the number and percentage of successes that he experienced give support for his way of thinking.
-We travel the world with him, as those who learned under his tutelage have been placed in so many different countries, from Russia, to countries in Asia, to areas in the U.S., to South America, bringing Torah values to those that would never have experienced it otherwise.
-As a guiding thought for what he believes leadership should be, he states “How does a leader become innovative? First, identify needs consistent with your goals, and then devise a practical way of fulfilling those needs. Finally, overcome all the usual obstacles to innovation by determined execution and prayer. View copiers as a sure sign of success, and move on to the next level.”
-Ricky Cohen, who at 18 began his relationship with the Rabbi, pointed out that the Rabbi’s defining strength was “No person has to burden himself with the sense that whatever he/she starts must be completed. It is not your responsibility to finish the work.” The important thing is to recognize a need and act to fill it. That was and is the Rabbi’s mantra.
-By always keeping his eyes open as to how to potentially help Jews everywhere and surrounding himself with capable people who he’s also trained, he’s insured that all of his many projects that he’s started will continue successfully for years to come.
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