{"id":762,"date":"2013-03-11T22:45:01","date_gmt":"2013-03-12T02:45:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/truthsyoucanuse\/?p=762"},"modified":"2013-03-11T23:19:47","modified_gmt":"2013-03-12T03:19:47","slug":"can-women-have-it-all-a-jewish-perspective","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/truthsyoucanuse\/2013\/03\/can-women-have-it-all-a-jewish-perspective.html","title":{"rendered":"Is Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg Right?: A Jewish Perspective"},"content":{"rendered":"

In her new and controversial book Lean In<\/em>, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg argues that women face a variety of unique challenges in achieving professional success. One of them is self-imposed, yet reinforced by the larger culture.<\/p>\n

It is the hesitancy to \u201clean in,\u201d to not let internal barriers\u2013like feeling the false need to choose between success or family\u2013 hold them back from achieving the highest levels of success.<\/p>\n

\"can<\/a>
\nThe impact of Sandberg\u2019s books remains to be seen. What fascinates me, however, is that her enormous success and drive and passion about this issue has roots in her Jewish identity.<\/p>\n

How early Jewish activism shaped her identity<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Time Magazine\u2019s profile, we learn from her family\u2019s history as \u201cactivists for Soviet Jews who were trying to immigrate from Israel.\u201d Her parents urged her to stand up for the rights of a persecuted group, and do something to make the world a better place.<\/p>\n

Over time that passion translated into government work and business success. It has now expanded into non-profit advocacy and teaching.<\/p>\n

Following in giant footsteps<\/strong><\/p>\n

It also follows in the tradition of Jewish values. The role of women in Jewish life has been the subject of great discussion, and it varies between Reform and Orthodox Judaism. What unites them, however, is the belief that a commitment to family and to making a difference in the world are not at odds.<\/p>\n

Here are two examples:<\/p>\n

1. Sarah:<\/strong> In the Bible, Sarah is not only Abraham\u2019s wife and the mother of Isaac and Ishmael. She is credited for bringing many people into the new religion with Abraham as they were journeying toward the Promised Land. She frequently protects Abraham from the wrath of local rulers with whom they have to negotiate. Her role is an immense and often underappreciated one.<\/p>\n

2. Rebecca:<\/strong>\u00a0The biblical Rebecca is an extraordinary character. Her passion and boldness become clear right when we meet her, as she volunteers to water the flock of Abraham\u2019s messenger and invite him to her home, where she leaves with him over her father\u2019s objection.<\/p>\n

Her insight into her children and into the needs of the moment allow her to ensure the survival of the Jewish people.<\/p>\n

Perfection is not the goal<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now these two examples should not lead us to believe that Judaism was always perfect and forward-looking in understanding gender roles. It evolves, as all faiths do. Yet, it provides a useful corrective to the kind of binary thinking often blocking us from wisdom.<\/p>\n

Family and professional satisfaction are not at odds. They can reinforce one another. We will not be perfect in everything we do. Indeed, Jewish wisdom has taught this truth for milennia.<\/p>\n

Yet, as Sandberg puts it, when we find the strength to lean in–when we do not get trapped in false choices–we can work and live in a way that is \u201csustaining and fulfilling.\u201d May all of us\u2013men and women alike\u2013find that strength.<\/p>\n

To see Rabbi Moffic’s new book, click here<\/a><\/em>.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In her new and controversial book Lean In, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg argues that women face a variety of unique challenges in achieving professional success. One of them is self-imposed, yet reinforced by the larger culture. 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It is the hesitancy to \u201clean in,\u201d to not let internal barriers\u2013like feeling the false need to choose between…\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/truthsyoucanuse\/2013\/03\/can-women-have-it-all-a-jewish-perspective.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Truths You Can Use\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/RabbiEvan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2013-03-12T02:45:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2013-03-12T03:19:47+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/truthsyoucanuse\/files\/2013\/03\/sheryl-sandberg-300x180.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Evan Moffic\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@chicagorabbi\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Is Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg Right?: A Jewish Perspective - Truths You Can Use","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/truthsyoucanuse\/2013\/03\/can-women-have-it-all-a-jewish-perspective.html","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Is Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg Right?: A Jewish Perspective - Truths You Can Use","og_description":"In her new and controversial book Lean In, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg argues that women face a variety of unique challenges in achieving professional success. 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His book, What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Jewishness of Jesus was a 2015 best-seller. His upcoming book of devotions\u2014Shalom for the Heart\u2014takes short biblical passages and show they way they can help us make better choices and live with fewer regrets. With Rabbi Moffic, you will find an open, accessible guide to life\u2019s deepest truths. A husband and father, he graduated from Stanford University in 2000, and was ordained a rabbi in 2006. He leads a congregation in suburban Chicago. 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