CTW Issue #9: Can we solve old problems in new ways?

This past week has been both traumatic and draining. The dramatic, prolonged release of the hostages is all many of us can think about. And yet, I've been getting up, taking care of my family, going to work, etc. The luxury of being able to do so is not lost on me, and neither is the guilt.

Walking the line between feeling the pain of our brothers and sisters in Israel and going about our daily lives is an exercise in paradox. Most of the questions I've received in the past few weeks start with, "How can we...?" As in, how can we celebrate, build, fundraise, etc, under the current circumstances?

I've been observing the reactions of those around me, safe here in the U.S. but visibly affected by the events of October 7 and its aftermath. The immediate reaction was that of action, with an unprecedented mobilization of resources to provide funds, equipment, and miscellaneous goods to the soldiers and victims. That slowed down somewhat after the first few weeks, and I have sensed a quiet numbness settling in.

What comes next? I think that what is required of us at this stage is finding new ways to approach the challenges facing our community. We are living in an odd sort of twilight where normalcy is a distant memory. To borrow an overused phrase from the Covid-19 pandemic, this is our 'new normal,' and it is up to all of us to make sure that communally, we continue to thrive.

Can we solve old problems in new ways?

For Nonprofits

Many nonprofit organizations in the U.S. have been struggling to figure out their next move. Yes, there are subtle pivots that can be applied to existing strategies, but there is also an opportunity here to try to look at things in an entirely new way.

In Israel, Yad Vashem has turned itself into a school for displaced students. Fortunately, such dramatic reinventions are not required here, but we can derive inspiration from their efforts. What can your organization do differently to adapt to the current challenges that are still in close alignment with your mission and goals? For example, if you've previously relied on lighthearted, fun events to attract both awareness and funds, and those events don't feel right to you right now, you can redirect some of those resources toward smaller, more meaningful experiences and opportunities. If budgetary constraints due to canceled or postponed fundraising efforts require you to scale back on the number of clients you serve, you can widen the scope of how you serve in a way that requires fewer financial resources.

Challenge all the assumptions you've ever made about the way your organization has to operate, serve, and fundraise because assumptions are the enemy of innovation.

For Businesses

After a perfunctory post supporting Israel, most businesses in our community seem to have moved on. I am not criticizing anyone because this is the standard that has been set – I wouldn't have expected otherwise. Still, there is a massive opportunity for businesses to step up to the plate in a way that goes against convention.

I see the opportunities falling into three separate win-win categories:

1. Providing resources directly to Israel, which, when shared with clients and customers in the U.S., would provide hope and goodwill, is an excellent brand positioning and PR opportunity for the business.
2. Supporting nonprofits and initiatives in the U.S. that may be struggling to thrive in the current climate; beyond goodwill, these efforts can directly impact the business's target audience.
3. Providing an extra level of support directly to the business's target audience, whether related to the current crisis or not. The benefit of this one is quite obvious because the business would earn the trust of both customers and potential customers.

Which one of these categories speaks to you the most?

For Individuals

We tend to go about the routines of our lives, safe in our comfort zones, and it is hard to feel compelled to do otherwise. If you're like me, though, you've been living with an unsettled feeling and are looking for somewhere constructive to channel it. I am being kind to myself by accepting that I can't possibly have all the answers I need right now.

I recently came across this quote from Victor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning:

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”

This quote also made me think of another book written by a Holocaust survivor, The Choice, by Edith Eva Eger. Both Frankl and Eger transcended their horrific experiences and went on to author books that changed the lives of millions.

In the face of adversity, the human psyche is capable of incredible things. I wish us all the strength to tap into those reserves and get through the challenges of our time.

Thanks for reading,

Tzivia Cohen

A few reminders:

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• If I can help you or your nonprofit during this time, please don't hesitate to contact me on LinkedIn or via email at [email protected].
• If you have any suggestions for topics that you'd like me to address in future issues, don't hesitate to DM or send me an email at [email protected].
• You might also be interested in my podcast, where I interview nonprofit leaders, so click here to check that out.
• Just a reminder that my primary day job is running 14Minds. We partner with nonprofit organizations, mission-driven businesses, philanthropists, and community leaders who refuse to accept the status quo. Click here to see if you'd be a good candidate to work with us, send an email to [email protected], or give me a call at 516.590.0073x102.