Orthodox Union Core Values Booklet

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Professional

INTEGRITY • RESPECT • DRIVE • GROWTH SOLUTIONS ORIENTED • COLLABORATION

Professional

What Core Values ? are

Core values are not just aspirational ideals but the organizational DNA that informs our every decision, action, and interaction. These values are non-negotiable principles that every team member must embody and uphold, ensuring that the organization’s culture is not only articulated but actively lived. Core values are not just words; they are commitments that in uence every aspect of the business, from the way team members interact with each other to, how we hire, and how the company engages

Integrity

Do What You Say

Integrity at our core means living by the principle of “Do What You Say.” It’s about building a foundation of trust and reliability within our team, our department, and the rest of the organization. This value calls for each of us to fully commit to our responsibilities, ensuring that we not only make promises but also see them through to completion. It emphasizes the importance of accountability, encouraging us to own our actions and their outcomes. Being genuine and avoiding negative con ict are pivotal; they cultivate an environment that allows integrity to ourish.

The Gemara (Sanhedrin 97a) relates how a certain city e empli ed this characteristic of integrity; its inhabitants embraced radical honesty even when doing so impacted them negatively. As a reward, they lived exceptionally long lives. This story is meant to convey how integrity is essential to the wellbeing of an individual and the ourishing of a society. Without it, decay and dysfunction set in. What is true for a city is certainly true for an organization; without the key ingredients of consistency, honesty, and accountability, it is impossible to get anything done. With integrity, an organization can thrive and ourish.

Integrity

“The remnant of Israel will do no wrong and will speak no falsehood… and we were commanded to safeguard truth as it is one of the foundations of the soul.”

Shaarei Teshuva, Rabbeinu Yonah, Shaar 3

COMMITMENT: We honor our commitments, ensuring reliability in every task we undertake.

ACCOUNTABILITY: We own our actions and outcomes, promoting a culture where accountability is valued and rewarded.

AUTHENTICITY: Our actions are grounded in honesty and transparency, fostering trust across our team and with our partners.

POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT: We maintain a drama-free, positive atmosphere that encourages collaboration and unity.

Every project and task is completed with utmost dedication, re ecting our commitment to excellence.

Valuing Each Other Respect

Respect is about recognizing the inherent value and contributions of every team member. It goes beyond mere professional courtesy; it’s about treating each other with humility, kindness, and patience. We aim to foster a culture where empathy and understanding are at the forefront of every interaction, ensuring that we are openminded and actively listening to each other. This value underscores the importance of professional respect in all our interactions, acknowledging the dignity of every individual, regardless of their role. By valuing each other, we create an inclusive and supportive work environment that celebrates diversity and encourages collaboration.

During the days of Se ras aomer, the ewish eople mourn the loss of the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva who perished during this time. The Talmud (Yevamos. 62b) relates that their death was caused because they did not give one another proper respect. They may have cared deeply about one another, but without respecting the other’s worldview, they forfeited their ability to successfully transmit the Torah of their teacher.

Without respecting the view of others, we are prone to miss critical perspective in addressing the challenges we face. The most valuable voice, our Sages teach us (Taanis 7a), are from those who hold a more junior position than our own.

RESPECT AS A TORAH VALUE

“Who is honorable? One who honors others. Who is wise? One who learns from all.”

Prikei Avot, Chapter 4, Mishna 1

HUMILITY: We approach every situation with humility, recognizing and valuing the contributions of each team member.

EMPATHY: Kindness and patience are at the core of our interactions, ensuring a supportive and inclusive environment.

ACTIVE SUPPORT: Demonstrate respect through actions by actively supporting and uplifting your colleagues. Encourage initiatives and behaviors that help others succeed, recognizing and acting upon opportunities to assist, guide, or encourage teammates.

Our communication prioritizes understanding, making everyone feel heard and valued.

We treat everyone with the respect they deserve, upholding professionalism in all interactions.

Fueling our Mission with Determination DRIVE

Drive is our collective determination to achieve the greater vision. It’s the relentless pursuit of excellence, the energy that fuels our journey towards making a signi cant impact. pushes us beyond our limits, inspiring us to tackle challenges head-on and persist despite obstacles. It’s about ambition channeled into action, a powerful force that propels us forward. For drive to be successful it must be results-focused andaligned with the organization’s mission. This value embodies the spirit of hard work, commitment, and passion for what we do. It encourages us to bring enthusiasm and energy to our roles, inspiring others around us to do the same.

When G-d informs Abraham about the nature of his descendants, he is told to count the stars in the sky.

“So will your children be.” The Klausenberger Rebbe (1905-1994) suggests that G-d is not telling Avraham that his children will be as numerous as the stars, but rather they will be the type of people who will try to count the stars – even though is it is an impossible task. In this reading, the Torah is conveying a de ning value that should animate ewish life – ambition, determination, and perseverance to overcome whatever stands in the way.

DRIVE

“The foundation of piety and the root of pure services is that a person must clarify and establish what one’s obligations in this world are, and towards what one should place their sight and aspiration in all of life’s toils.”

Mesilas Yesharim, Chapter 1

EXCELLENCE IN EXECUTION: We pursue excellence in all we do, pushing beyond boundaries to deliver outstanding results.

Our work ethic is unmatched, demonstrating the dedication required to excel.

Our actions are consistently aligned with the company’s purpose, driving meaningful progress.

LOYALTY: Our commitment to the company’s vision and goals fosters a strong, united team.

ENTHUSIASM: We bring passion to our work, inspiring excellence and innovation within our team

Always Evolving ersonally and rofessionally growth

Growth focuses on the continuous personal and professional development of each team member. It’s about fostering an environment where learning and improvement are constant, and where everyone is supported in their journey to realize their full potential. Growth celebrates the evolution of skills, perspectives, and capabilities, contributing to both individual ful llment and organizational strength. This value encourages us to own our mistakes and view them as opportunities for improvement. We are committed to offering and receiving feedback, fostering a culture of open communication, and collaboration that helps us all grow together. Our focus on getting better every day ensures that we are continuously evolving, both personally and professionally, contributing to the overall growth and success of the organization.

The ebrew term for a human being is Adam, which also means earth, as the Torah explains, “because he was formed from the earth.” The Maharal of rague (Tiferes Yisrael, Chapter ) questions this as, according to the Biblical account, the entire animal kingdom was formed from earth. Why then is it only humans who are given this name?

e explains that the Torah is trying to highlight a uniquely human characteristic called growth. Inasmuch as one plants a seed in the earth and with the proper care, it transforms into delicious fruit, so too, the essence of a human is one who is constantly developing themselves. In this framing, to not grow is to relinquish our humanity, thus, growth is a constant and never-ending endeavor.

growth

“ umans are called travelers because a human must constantly travel from level to level.”

Vilna Gaon, Mishlei, Chapter 15

Mistakes are opportunities for growth, teaching us valuable lessons for future success.

Constructive feedback and selfre ection are vital tools for growth. They help us identify areas for improvement, celebrate achievements, and set new goals.

We champion a mindset of lifelong learning, embracing opportunities to gain new knowledge, skills, and perspectives. Growth is an ongoing journey, not a destination.

FLEXIBILITY: Embracing growth means being adaptable, ready to evolve with changing circumstances and seize new opportunities for development.

Our focus on improvement is relentless, aiming to enhance our skills and contributions continually.

Achieving Goals with Resourcefulness Solutions Oriented

“Achieving Goals with Resourcefulness” re ects a balanced and thoughtful commitment to success. It highlights our dedication to reaching our objectives by being pragmatic, adaptable, and collaborative, ensuring that we approach every challenge with a solution in mind. This core value not only motivates our team but also reassures our stakeholders of our unwavering focus on delivering results, responsibly and sustainably.

Subjugated to centuries of back-breaking slave labor caused the men of Israel to give up hope, but our tradition relates how the women never did. They never lost sight of their goals, the continuity of the nation and its ultimate redemption, and constantly adapted to every new challenge they faced. This trait was exempli ed by Miriam who ensured that her brother Moshe would survive through creative partnerships with the Egyptian princess, and her determination and perseverance. Subsequently, she, and her fellow women, left Egypt not as mere survivors, rather, they grew through the process.

Solutions Oriented

“In the merit of the righteous women, Israel was redeemed from Egypt.”

We view every challenge as a chance to innovate and improve. Our approach is rooted in optimism and the belief that for every problem, there’s a solution waiting to be discovered.

Our focus remains on achieving objectives ef ciently. We prioritize actions that have the most direct impact on our goals, ensuring that we’re always moving forward.

CULTIVATE RESILIENCE: Setbacks are seen as part of the learning process. We’re committed to bouncing back stronger, using each experience to re ne our approach.

The ability to pivot and adapt is central to our strategy. We remain exible, adjusting our plans based on new insights or changing environments, all while keeping our goals in clear view.

We believe in the power of collaboration. By pooling our talents and insights, we create innovative solutions that propel us towards our objectives.

Collaboration

Together , We Achieve More

Collaboration underscores our belief in the power of working together to achieve common goals. It’s about creating a culture where ideas ow freely, diverse perspectives are valued, and everyone contributes to the success of the organization. This core value is built on the foundation of mutual respect and the understanding that we are stronger and more innovative when we work as a united team.

King Solomon in the Book of Ecclesiastes describes the many ways that collaboration is crucial for success. Rashi (ad loc) explains that we are more motivated when working in a group and Rabbeinu Nissim (Derashot 1:1) observes how almost nothing is insurmountable when working in concert, as evidenced by those building the Tower of Bavel.

Collaboration

COLLABORATION AS A TORAH VALUE

“Two are better off than one… For should they fall, one can raise the other… Further, when two lie together they are warm; but how can he who is alone get warm?”

Ecclesiastes 4: 9-11

OPEN COMMUNICATION: We prioritize clear and open communication channels, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued. This transparency fosters trust and facilitates effective collaboration.

Recognizing the strength in diversity, we encourage the sharing of different viewpoints and experiences, believing that a rich tapestry of ideas leads to better decisions and innovations.

We tackle challenges together, leveraging the collective expertise and creativity of our team to nd the best solutions and achieve superior results.

Our achievements are not individual but collective. We celebrate our wins as a team, recognizing the contributions of each member to our shared accomplishments.

Collaboration is about more than just working together; it’s about supporting one another, building each other up, and creating a culture of mutual assistance and respect.

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Orthodox Union Core Values Booklet by Orthodox Union - Issuu