What is Bless Our Workforce?

Mark S. Young’s Bless Our Workforce provides an aspirational examination of the promise of the emerging Jewish professional talent network.   His thoughtful approach, blending anecdotes, experiences and hard data, offers content and context for those of us committed to building a more robust and engaged field.  The work complements so much of what we see within the Leading Edge, JPRO, SRE sphere of influence.  Ultimately, the book humanizes our field and the personal and professional journey each of us experiences in our profession.   I look forward to seeing how this manuscript contributes to the communal landscape as we process the opportunities and capacity of our field

Mark did an outstanding job honoring the values of our work and provided meaningful take a ways in blessing. Bless our workforce is an important read for people at all levels of our organization. The lessons of the book will remain front and center in my mind for a long time. Will likely refer to this often in my work”

Mark Young has given us a remarkable book. He weaves personal stories and theoretical literature into a sukkah of blessings — sheltering us with ideas to support and grow not just Jewish professionals, but all people. Seeing others through the lens of blessing, Mark outlines both what we bring and who we are, creating opportunities for us to strengthen our workplaces, our work and our workers.”

Anyone who has ever done professional development and/or gone to conferences knows that one of (if not the) best parts is the people you meet along the way. Meeting Mark S Young once was a joy, twice was phenomenal – but getting to be in ongoing small working groups with him both times was a blessing. His recent book “Bless our Workforce” is a must read for Jewish communal professionals of all stripes. It will inspire you to connect in new and deeper ways with the humans with whom you work, and to deepen the intentionality of those relationships in order to have a better workplace. What a revolution this could start if we truly understood and valued each individual for all their unique blessings.”

Mark Young has given us a remarkable book. He weaves personal stories and theoretical literature into a sukkah of blessings — sheltering us with ideas to support and grow not just Jewish professionals, but all people. Seeing others through the lens of blessing, Mark outlines both what we bring and who we are, creating opportunities for us to strengthen our workplaces, our work and our workers.”

Mark suggests that we be intentional and know the motivations of our employees. As someone who has been at the helm of the same JCC for 40 years, I couldn’t agree more and suggest that with intentionality one can understand how our workplace evolves and how much we need to be aware and responsive to those changes. Bless Our Workforce brings our attention to how we actually can control positive outcomes with greater awareness. Our employees are our greatest asset and we must understand their needs as we are blessed  to have their devotion. Mark identifies how different they all are and how their journeys contribute greatly to our collective success. Thank you for bringing us together to understand our workforce.”

Mark has truly blessed us with this articulate and cogent message. We are fortunate to have so many passionate, committed and smart professionals in the field, including those on whom he has shined the light. It behooves us to really hear Mark’s message and constantly consider the many factors that motivate them and drive them so that the Jewish communal field continues to thrive, and that a career of a Jewish Communal Professional will be one that children aspire to and not just fall into because of happenstance. I will use Mark’s 15 blessings as reminders, as I work to develop professionals every day, to ensure that our colleagues are motivating and valuing each other, that we are championing new talent, empowering them in their work and amplifying their strengths. Thank you Mark for elevating our field and giving us a “playbook,” one based on Jewish values, from which to raise up our professionals.

Great organizations and institutions are perpetually working to improve themselves by focusing on the people who bring them to life – their professionals.  Bless Our Workforce is a gift to anyone determined to do better.  With both sensitivity and insight, Mark S. Young examines 15 elements using specific examples and personal stories to highlight both replicable practices and opportunities to evolve.  Fifteen blessings that compel the reader to reflect on one’s own circumstances and experiences, providing both motivation and inspiration.  Given the cozy confines of the professional Jewish world, Bless Our Workforce also opens to doors to personal outreach to peers and colleagues whose stories come to life across its pages.  Hats off to Mark S. Young for this outstanding contribution to our field.

Mark Young’s book, Bless Our Workforce is an invaluable tool for Jewish communities big and small. As the leader of a synagogue, Mark’s book helped me better understand what I need to do to motivate and inspire my staff to work at their best. As I read the book, I often thought of ways I could improve in my work. This is an invaluable resource not just for Jewish communities but as a study of the way we treat those that work for us and how we can help them to reach their highest potential.”

As someone who has worked in traditional Jewish institutions for over 30 years, I can honestly say that his book is essential.  It’s the kind of book employees should read and gift to their employers and lay leaders!”

Mark Young’s new Text is the long awaited blessing for all Professionals working in the many Agencies of the Jewish Community, He has successfully mastered the art of the “talking book” on the printed page: each of the cogent and upbeat chapters will have you feeling this wise counselor, educator and trainer is your best friend sitting on the sofa next to you. A joyful and eminently readable text for all who journey in our field. A most practical gift from a supervisor/manager to her/his hard-working staff to practice “Learning Never Ends”