Article in The Times of Israel by Andy Blumenthal: From all the various people I’ve had a chance to meet, I have found that it’s not how much of a big shot someone is, how smart they think they are, or how much money they have in the bank, but the humility and humanity of good, decent, hardworking people out there that often have the most important lessons of life to share.

1. 8/20/23, 7:14 AM Lessons in Life and Menschlichkeit | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
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THE BLOGS
Andy Blumenthal
Leadership With Heart
Lessons in Life and
Menschlichkeit
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2. 8/20/23, 7:14 AM Lessons in Life and Menschlichkeit | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
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Credit Photo: makamuki0 via https://pixabay.com/photos/hairdressing-barbershop-barber-2142482/
Not every Jewish person is a doctor, lawyer, accountant, or programmer.
Recently, I got to speak to a nice Jewish man who is a barber, and I learned some
important things about getting along and helping people.
COVID Shave and a Haircut
It was during the early days of the COVID pandemic, and everything was shut
down. However, feeling the need to earn his living, the barber kept his shop
open. Well, sure enough, not long into the pandemic, someone arrived at his
shop and started lecturing him, saying, “You’re not supposed to be open!”
Fortunately, a quick haircut for the complainer resolved it all.
A Heart for the Homeless
One day, a homeless person comes into the barbershop and asks if he can wash
himself. Having a heart for another human being in need, the barber agrees.
When I asked him what moved him about this man’s plight, he said:

3. 8/20/23, 7:14 AM Lessons in Life and Menschlichkeit | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
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I responded that I had heard that growing up as a child and said, “Yeah, a lot of
people have hard lives,” to which he said very thoughtfully:
Give people a reason and meaning.
After a little time, I learned that the barber runs multiple businesses and is such
a hard worker between them.
When I asked him how he was able to be a successful entrepreneur with
multiple businesses, he told me:
A person doesn’t ask for something like this unless they really need it! I
couldn’t say no to someone in need.”
“
Yes, they do have hard lives, but sometimes they also make it hard on
themselves. Like alcohol, drugs, and bad relationships, people have to make
better decisions in their lives.”
“
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I have another “trustworthy, good guy” who can run one of the businesses, and
when he’s not available, the shop runs itself because the people like what they
do and take responsibility for their own income.”
“

4. 8/20/23, 7:14 AM Lessons in Life and Menschlichkeit | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/lessons-in-life-and-menschlichkeit/ 4/6
In short, he told me that if you give people a reason and meaning, then you
don’t need to be on top of them all the time.
The Social Media Trinity
When I asked what he liked best about being a barber, the man said:
Then he hesitated and was sort of downbeat, and he said:
I asked quizzically, “What are they busy doing on their phones during a
haircut?”
He thinks for just a brief moment, and then, smiling big, he replies:
Honestly, I thought to myself that social media was mostly such a waste of time,
and really, they’d be more productive having a good conversation with this
barber.
I love talking with people. They are infinitely fascinating!
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But nowadays, people are too busy on their smartphones to talk much to me
anymore.”
“
Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter—the Social Media Trinity!”
“

5. 8/20/23, 7:14 AM Lessons in Life and Menschlichkeit | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andy Blumenthal is a dynamic, award-winning leader who writes frequently about Jewish life,
culture, and security. All opinions are his own.
I realized, too, that I also like talking to and learning from others. And from all
the various people I’ve had a chance to meet, I have found that it’s not how
much of a big shot someone is, how smart they think they are, or how much
money they have in the bank, but the humility and humanity of good, decent,
hardworking people out there that often have the most important lessons of life
to share.
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