Chabad E-Myth – State of the Union

February 2010

We’ve come a long way since our first meeting in Southern California with the original group of Shluchim...

As the idea of Chabad E-Myth was conceived, born, and then flourished, we worked collaboratively on our Dream Vision Purpose and Mission.  What was the dream, ultimately, of Chabad E-Myth Shluchim?  (And by the way, nothing that we do at Chabad E-Myth challenges the tenets of Chabad and Chassidus.  It merely challenges the WAY that it’s done.)  The Dream, as we defined it is something that we all agree upon … “Moshiach Now.”  But the age-old question is, how do we get there?  The road map is within the Vision, Purpose, and Mission. 

The next step was to clear our minds of “Old Co,” that is, the way it’s always been done, use a blank “piece of paper,” and envision what the Perfect Chabad House would be.  What would its organizational structure require?  You have this, he has that, they have the other … but what is the best?  That is what we are all about.  Finding the best, incorporating it, and constantly improving upon it.  The Organization Chart was thus created and settled upon, during a series of teleconferences. 

 Once we knew what would be needed, we knew we could not do it alone.  We needed someone who could guide us and keep us organized hour by hour, day by day, week by week, as we marched determinedly down the path.  Obviously we needed a source of funds, so membership was opened through April 30, 2009, which required a monthly subscription fee for a one-year period.  This fee would pay for this person, who would function as my right hand.  How we found her, I consider to be divine intervention, but that’s another story.  We all know her simply as “Cheryl.”  Cheryl the teacher, Cheryl the organizer, Cheryl the business owner, Cheryl the manager, Cheryl the nurturer, Cheryl the Catholic who loves Judaism. 

All Chabad Shluchim were invited to join this group, the charter group, which we consider the “beta” group.  Our group started working in earnest on May 1, having closed enrollment on April 30.  70 Shluchim strong.  We have worked with them through weekly teleconferences, individual phone calls, and emails.  Additionally there is a private Forum where we have an opportunity to exchange ideas, participate in discussions, and find documents and information pertinent to our program all in one place.

As with any “beta group,” we have faced the unknown, tried new ideas, adapted our practices, and created the foundation for the next phases of our program. 

Once we had the Organization Chart in place, listing the positions needed for a successful Chabad House…  (not just a successful Chabad House … but rather THE most successful Chabad House), the next step was to create position contracts for each position on the Organization Chart.  We still have some loose ends on that front, particularly in the “religious” positions where we need more input.  But, seeing those contracts published on our site was a huge step for many of our Shluchim who were still trying to internalize what they were hearing.  All of the E-Myth terms they heard, week after week, becoming common language that they would soon use in their own organizations.  It was a very exciting time, but only one of many.  Our calls are like mini-Farbrengen where we share frustrations and successes.  They are meaningful, practical, and beneficial.  We are truly building something special together.  Something substantial.  Something life-changing.  World-changing.

Next is the hardest part.  Action plans and procedures.  Step by step how-to guides on everything from Purim to fundraisers to Shabbat dinners, and everything in between.  Yes, you all do these things, but because you literally DO these things, you just do it.  Year after year after year.  But as Adam Haston will tell you from his own recent experience, once you put it in writing, in the form of an action plan, something not unlike a miracle occurs in your way of seeing your work.  What is the end result?  What needs to be done to achieve that result?  Who is responsible?  When does it need to be done?  Every single step is accounted for and detailed.  Every benchmark is met by following procedures that are written to perfection.  Think about next year, when you can pull out that file and turn it over to a volunteer who can implement your program to perfection because it’s all been documented.  Think of the hours and days you’ve wasted over just the past month because you didn’t take the time to create action plans and systems.  Some of you have been in your Chabad Houses for years, even decades, and had very little growth.

What Chabad E-Myth aims to do, is to teach you how to manage the business side of your Chabad House … to delegate as much as you possibly can, to volunteers and employees, so that you can do the work that you were called to do.  Let me ask you, how could anyone possibly consider his Chabad House a success when he has been there for years and years and has only reached 10% of the Jews in his community?  Yes, we’re even developing and perfecting a system for just that … meeting new Jews.  This is best known as “The Pastrami Sandwich Meeting.”  If there is something that needs to be done, there is a system that can do it.  There is a right way, tried, tested, and constantly improved upon.  This is the E-Myth way.

 Think of the end-game … think of the day when we have a series of manuals for every single program, event, and responsibility that can be used and adapted to every Chabad House in the world!  That is where we are headed.  Yes, it will be done.  How quickly is up to you.  Think about it … we have one person.  And as gifted as she is, she is only one person.  The vision was to have everyone in our beta group working collaboratively to create the systems, whether themselves, or using experts.  But most have not stepped up.  They are still too busy doing it, doing it, doing it.  Slowly changing their way of thinking, and taking steps forward in the process.  But slowly.  Sometimes too slowly.  This is a frustration that we share … that it’s not moving fast enough.  We have 70, but I see that we really only have seven.  Yes, about 25 or 30 sit in on the calls each week, more listen to the recordings, so maybe half are “somewhat involved.”  But to actually write an action plan, document what needs to be done, and share it with the group, that’s our group of seven.  Dedicated, future leaders of this program, right now, simply known as our seven.

Who are these seven?  They are in different categories, but they have something in common.  They are active and engaged.  We know their voices like we know our own.  They follow through on their commitments.  They ask questions, which helps us to clarify concepts to the group.  Some are established.  Some are new.  But they are all consistent.  Don’t get me wrong.  There are a significant number who are involved on one level or another.  Some are always on the calls, participating.  Some are advocates of the program.  Some come to Cheryl when they need specific help, and disappear again until the next need arises.  But this core group of seven has completely internalized the principles of Chabad E-Myth and are committed to applying them not only to their own Chabad Houses, but to developing our turn-key system. 

And really, that is what we are here for in the first place.  To create the turn-key system. 

 Who would NOT want to be a part of this program … to know that the work that he does will someday touch each and every Jew in the world, through Chabad.  This program is not about fixing your Chabad House, though certainly that is a result you will realize.  But this is bigger than you.  It’s bigger than your community.  It’s not about me.  It’s not about Cheryl.  We are simply facilitators.  It’s about changing the world.  Yes.  Changing the world.  Allowing you to be the Rebbe of your community.  The emissary.  The leader.  You must learn how to truly lead.  It is not charming to hear that you set up tables and chairs yourself.  How can you possibly be in the right frame of mind to be “present” to your community, when you are so frazzled and exhausted from doing the work yourself.  It’s time to free yourself from Old Co.  It’s time.  It’s time.  It’s time.

Two of our group of seven are literally helping to create the turnkey system while they start their own Chabad Houses from scratch.  Yoni Katz and Zalman Friedman.  They spend hours and hours each month consulting with Cheryl, brainstorming, developing, creating, expanding, improving, and implementing.  They are documenting their successes, their failures, and experiences, so that others may follow and grow Chabad much more efficiently than it has ever been done before. 

So where are we, ten months into this experiment?  We have the Dream, Vision, Purpose, and Mission.  We have the organization chart.  We have position contracts.  We are developing the format for creating all of the systems in a user-friendly, practical, uniform way.  We are reaching out to professionals …experts in the community … who will share their knowledge with us in developing systems.  Professionals in accounting, fundraising, marketing … you name it. 

And what is next?  On May 1, we will begin the next phase of Chabad E-Myth.  This is a time for new members to join us.  We will have special calls and training just for them, during the month of May, so they are brought up-to-speed with the beta group.  They will of course have access to all of the documentation, discussions, conferences that are now available to the beta group, and participate in the weekly teleconference with me and Cheryl. 

The end result of Phase 2 is that we will have our own non-profit, have completed all of the position contracts that are still outstanding, and developed all of the action plans and systems called for in the Organization Chart, which will ultimately become the manuals of Chabad E-Myth. 

This will involve significant expense, as we will be hiring a staff to achieve this monumental task.  I’m going to do everything that I can to make sure that Cheryl stays with us, as the Program Director, with of course the increased responsibility that comes with the next phase.  So, I will need commitments soon.  Commitments from our beta group, and commitments from those of you who will join us for Phase 2.  I cannot commit to Cheryl, unless I have commitments from you.

The subscription fee for Phase 2 will be $200/month with a one year commitment.  We will also offer an option available for once-per-week personal coaching for an additional fee.  This is something that some of our Shluchim have requested as part of their program.  Included in the subscription will be a once-per-week teleconference, outside of the regular call with me, where you may participate in thematic programming.  For example, planning holidays or adapting systems to your unique needs.  And of course, you will have access to all of the materials that are produced, to be used in your Chabad Houses. 

And what of those, many of you in this room, who are part of the beta group, from Phase One?  As Charter members, you may extend your membership into Phase Two for $100 per month. 

Open enrollment for Phase Two will begin on Monday, March 1, and end on April 30.  As an incentive, for those who enroll before March 31, we will waive the final payment of Phase Two, which would be charged in April of 2011.  But you must submit your commitment and credit card information no later than March 31 for this incentive.  All Phase 2 participants must enroll by April 30.

Phase 3 of the project, which we expect will begin May 1, 2011, will be to make available our finished product to all in Chabad who wish to use it.  We will offer a one-week university, where Shluchim will learn E-Myth principles, get hands-on training, and learn how to apply the manuals to their Chabad Houses.   Obviously the last thing we want is for Shluchim to buy a set of binders that will collect dust.  The university will be mandatory, but will include the cost of the manuals.  Additionally we will be offering periodic two-day institutes in leadership and other pertinent topics that will help to grow your organizations. 

I invite you to register for Phase 2 as possible.  The benefit of that is obvious.  You will participate in the development of everything that we’re doing, internalizing it and adapting it to your organization as you go along.  Waiting for Phase 3 means you wait another year, and miss out on the collaboration, personal development, and camaraderie that is so important to our group and its success, week after week.  And, of course if you wait for Phase 3, it will cost you more.  So, be sure to check our website at Chabade-myth.com, and contact Cheryl with any questions.  And don’t miss the early-bird deadline of March 31!

~Michael E. Gerber