The Intersection of Leadership and Passover
Na’aleh is a Jewish leadership organization, and we’re often asked what that means. While we share best practices in leadership, we also draw deeply from Jewish values and heritage to guide our work. As Passover approaches, I’m reminded that this holiday offers powerful leadership lessons — ones we can carry with us throughout the year.
This year, a theme for Na’aleh has been EVOLVE. It is the name of our brand-new leadership cards, and as we are hiring a new Executive Director, this word comes up a lot as we EVOLVE into the next chapter of our organization. On Passover, the Jewish people evolve from slaves in Egypt to a community that must rely on one another and build something new in ways they never thought possible. As the community is being built, leaders emerge in unexpected places.
One of the most inspiring stories of Passover is the story of Nachshon. While most people don’t immediately think of Nachshon as a leader in the Passover story, his actions epitomize what it means to lead.
For those unfamiliar with the story, it begins with the Jews approaching the Sea of Reeds. As Moses prays to God for guidance, Nachshon takes action. He steps into the water, showing courage and conviction. Seeing Nachshon’s bold move, others follow. God then tells Moses to raise his staff, and the sea miraculously parts. While Moses is often seen as the leader in this moment, Nachshon’s bravery and initiative sparked the action that led to the miracle. While God provided the miracle, Nachshon provided the courage to move forward.
As leaders, we all find ourselves in Moses’s or Nachshon’s shoes at times. Sometimes we need to reflect and strategize; other times we need to take bold action. One of the leadership practices at Na’aleh is Hit’orerut, which is to awaken yourself and others to the complex and evolving systems in which you are embedded. Nachshon understood that the situation was changing, and he responded by acting decisively to help the Jewish people move forward. While the sea ultimately split, I have always believed that even if it hadn’t, Nachshon would have done everything in his power to ensure each and every Jew made it across safely.
As we approach this Passover season, let us embrace Nachshon’s spirit. Whether we are leading our families, our communities, or ourselves, may we have the wisdom to recognize when to reflect and the courage to take the first step into uncertain waters. In doing so, we can help evolve the systems we are part of into something stronger, more connected, and filled with possibility.
