A Change of Perspective - Elite Commandos Come To Town

When Ariel Siegelman and Major Guy Meadan landed in Los Angeles last week, they were certain they were here to raise funds for their elite reserve Special Forces Paratrooper Brigade of the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces). They were invited to speak at an event for the Children of Jewish Holocaust Survivors at the Luxe Hotel. Over two hundred people would attend this event and they had been requested to speak from a political point of view.

I had met Ariel two years ago when I produced a video for the Aish L.A. Banquet called "A Miracle In Gaza" (watch it here). I have established a relationship with Ariel and his family over the years. On my last visit to Eretz Israel he introduced me to his commander Guy Meadan. They took me to a training camp where I was instructed on how to use an M16. This gave me a tremendous awe and respect for the extraordinary men and women that are battling to defend our land, our liberty and our country.

Before the Los Angeles event took place, Ariel and Guy asked me to sit with them and help them strategically plan for the event. What should they talk about? Was it politics as was requested? Lebanon, Gaza, flotilla?

They had brought with them a film that documented a day by day, hour by hour drama of preparation and execution of their military operations. It gave the viewer a perspective of going into combat, their lives, the loved ones they were leaving behind and their commitment to the state and the people of Israel. Once I saw this film it became evident to me what direction they needed to take. These men were not politicians. They were front line defenders for the Jewish people and their personal stories were much more compelling and important than any political statement.

So what did we do? I recommended that they show the film and I gave them an outline point by point for their evening's presentation. We decided that after a short introduction, they would share their personal experience, show the film, and then conduct an open discussion about what it was like to be an Israeli commando and how this affects their lives and their families, giving everyone a personal experience of what it is like to go into combat in real time.

The direction that we took was exactly what the audience was thirsty for and it became evident to Guy and Ariel that they were not here just to fund-raise, but to be holy ambassadors, to raise awareness about the incredible challenges of being on the front lines defending the Jewish nation.

Miracle Engagement

Yesterday I received a very interesting and inspiring email from a client in Jerusalem, Katie Green who is the Director of International Relations & Special Projects at Ma'aleh Film School in Jerusalem.

A few months ago, as you might remember (Blog-March 4th), I was involved in the organization and production of a Film Festival in Los Angeles, on behalf of the school. The L.A. Festival included events at various venues throughout the greater Los Angeles area in addition to a spectacular fundraising evening featuring some of the award winning films created by their students and alumni. One of the events on the schedule was a presentation by Ma'aleh at Shalhevet High School.

As part of my work with my clients I insist that we envision the end before the beginning. What do we want to accomplish? Since this was a High School event, I felt that in order to really reach and touch the audience (which was ultimately our goal) the presenter needed to be young and hip. The initial idea the team had was that Katie would do the presentation herself, but I intuitively understood that was not the best use of their talent, and that hearing from Pazit, a young director that was traveling with the delegation would be the most effective and the most impressive for this audience. And so at the 11th hour, based on my suggestion, the team agreed to switch gears and it was decided that Pazit should do the presentation, represent Ma'aleh, show her film and do the Q&A.

The presentation was a tremendous success, but I had no idea until yesterday just how successful it really was. It turns out that our young director Pazit, had a life changing experience as a consequence of this last minute turn of events!

We have no idea how the choices we make will transform our lives and the lives of others, but one thing is for sure, when you do YOUR work in the world, miracles can happen.

Below is the email I received with the wonderful miracle love story.


"Dear Los Angeles friends,

Yes, it's a Mazeltov, Pazit just got engaged.

And it's all thanks to... our Los Angeles sponsors, Shalhevet High School, and Sarah Weintraub!

Tzvi Yehuda Epstein, 27 years old and a photography student at the Musrara school of photography (one block below Ma'aleh), was called up by a friend of his who wanted to suggest a shiddoch for him. Tzvi Yehuda took the girl's details and decided, since he's fed up with blind dates, to check her up on facebook before asking her out. As one does.

Tzvi Yehuda checks this girl's profile on facebook and decides that she's probably not for him. But he does scroll down the remaining 209 photos of all this girl's single friends. He  stops dead at one particular photo - it's of a lovely young woman giving a presentation of her film at Shalhevet High School in Los Angeles. Tzvi Yehuda feels he just has to meet this girl. So he does - and it's love at first sight for both of them. Six weeks later they're engaged.

I'm attaching that famous Shalhevet photo (which was also chosen by the Jerusalem Post magazine for the print version of their article about Ma'aleh, sent to you guys last week)  and also one of Pazit being proposed to (the couple did a "reconstruction" for Pazit's parents).

I for one will never forget the conversation that Neta and I had with Sarah one hour before the Shalhevet school presentation. "Why are you two presenting?" asks Sarah, "The kids should be seeing the film "Willingly" and they should be hearing Pazit!". Quick change of plan, Pazit presents her film, and we photograph her doing it.  The rest, as they say, is history.

Which goes to show what we all know to be true...   Hashem's In Charge (and Sarah, some of the time).

May we hear only good news and of the rebuilding of Jerusalem, speedily in our days.

Warm regards to all

Katie"

 

Media Awareness Coaching: Interested?

A week ago a client called me and said "Help! I need to be extracted...". He had a media tour coming up for his new business and was lost. He had no idea how to hone his message. He needed to do a product video, so I said to him "Fill me in on your project".

It is not an uncommon problem to feel smothered by too much information. You need laser sharp vision to cut right to the core. This is where I come in. After just a few hours of consulting with me, I offered my client new ways of delivering his message that would create an emotional connection with his audience, one that is powerful, engaging and would bring results. Now he feels confident and prepared in any situation.

• Do you have a project that you want to get off the ground?
• An idea that you need to develop?
• Do you have a story you need to tell?

I can help.
Sarah