SPIRITUALITY AT WORK, MBA Thesis

PLATT GALLERY

STRATEGIC PLAN

TO PRESERVE AND ENERGIZE THE ARTS

IN LOS ANGELES INTO THE 21ST CENTURY

Copyright © 1994 by Joy M. Krauthammer, MBA

University of Judaism, MBA Thesis excerpt pages 47-49  (of 314 pages)

excerpt 

RELIGION

“G*d is present in every action and in every thought.”
 - Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav

STRENGTH

A resurgence of spirituality and learning inspires today’s artists. Hiddur Mitzvah, the commandment to make ritual objects beautiful for enhancement of celebration, Jewish values and experience, is visible by the new contributions from artists creating Judaica for use and display. Jewish people recognize the attractive ritual objects in synagogue and home for life cycle and religious events. An art display can teach history, heritage, values and identity giving exposure, preservation and continuity to Jewish culture.

OPPORTUNITIES

Religion is always available to access spiritually within one’s self. Historically, in Los An- geles, Judaism is found within homes, religious institutions, havurot, minyans, coalitions, conferences, rabbis, learned Jews, classes, libraries, cafes, galleries and museums. Through a closeness with the Divine, spirituality offers an individual inner strength to reach potential of self, and can be used for reaching the goals of the Platt Gallery.

It is imperitive to effectively identify and use resources available to the University of Judaism's Platt Gallery. The members of the Fine Arts Council can access their own inner resources. The psycho-spiritual way for planning is to improve self-connection and do reality checking.

It is Jewish Kabbalistic belief (inner and mystical aspect of Judaism teaching the At- tributes of the Divine, the nature of the universe and the destiny of man) that thought and action can hold you back from being the best you can be or vice versa. The dawn of this Messianic Age is thought to be dependent on people’s action. Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, can be manifested in the management of the Platt Gallery. The Platt Gallery can help bring about the Tikkun through their arts activities.

The Platt Gallery can access spirituality and use the seven lower metaphysical Sephirot as a model for strategic planning. The Sephirot can be understood as the attributes of G*d which are used in creating a blueprint for all of existence, a conceptual model of creation. The Sephirot can be defined in terms of human experience because we too are cast in the image of G*d / B'Tzelem Elokim (Genesis 1:27). As Jews believing in G*d and G*d’s creations, we can use the Sephirot as communication between human beings for good management of our Jewish institutions and our world. The Sephirot are combined in [relationship and] pairs for a balance and harmony of energies.

The lower seven Sephirot: The Sephira Chesed, the Attribute of active or inner emotion of Loving-kindness or Mercy can be practiced between Fine Arts Council members, staff and artists, to make a healthy emotional and physical environment to plan the Platt Gallery’s programs. Gevurah, Discernment, Discipline, Justice, Strength, Discrimination, allows members the fortitude to produce exhibits with good judgement, even without enough human resource’s physical strength. Tiferet, Beauty, Harmony, Truth, is a combined essence, balancing Chesed and Gevurah, and can give guidance in choosing the art for display. Netzach, Determination, Victory, can give members direction
for endurance and striving for action and overcoming obstacles. Hod, Splendor and Glory, preserves the Divine Majesty in its restraint and subservience, and shows thankfulness and gratitude for all that exists, such as talents and humble cooperation between members of an organization. Yesod, Foundation, contains all the masculine roots that have gone before and reflects true nature in which the Platt Gallery can see themselves, and which projects a persona for others to see as givers and creators. Bonding between staff, artists and community manifests in Yesod. Malkhut, Kingdom, constitutes Shekhinah, the feminine receiving and indwelling Presence of God, in matter. Leadership, Reputation, Uniqueness and Self-expression is revealed.

It is two upper Sephirot, Chokmah and Binah, Wisdom and Understanding, which give us an active and intuitive awareness of our interactions of qualities in the universe. Keter is the crown, the highest Sephira, which belongs only to G*d. The Sephirot work in combination with each other as Vessels (Kelim) allowing woman and man to receive G*d’s Light (Orot). (1 Chronicles 29:11-12)

Members of a Jewish organization have the opportunity to look within themselves to see what types of behavioral qualities (midot) and activities they manifest of The Divine One's immanence in their own being. These attributes with which The Holy One (Ain Sof ) governs the world, can serve as a bridge to their management of the organization.

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The above excerpt is included in the SWOT Analysis for the UJ Platt Gallery:

Strengths, Weakness, Opportunites and Threats.