Appreciating, being part of a team, and 13 attributes to strive for in our business.

This Shabbat we are going to complete (as we have read Shabbat afternoon, Monday, Thursday) reading the Torah portion of Ki Tezeh ( When you go out… to war).
Well as all of you know as an Israeli going to war is an unfortunate part of our life.
There are many things I do not understand in the Torah (Bible). However I think this portion has wonderful lessons we can apply to our Team and to the success we wish to have through the work and ethical values we have in our business transactions with each other and our clients. I would like to begin this Shabbat a tradition where I will finish each work week we have done, in which we have accomplished so much with a D’var (short inspirational message) to help us unwind with our families and friends.

If you think about war it requires the ultimate sacrifice. But this Torah portion teaches us something very important about the values that we should have as a community and many of the values I would like to make sure I promote in Tech Success, Inc.
1. we do is with the help of God. As people who are made in his image we must remember that we can’t do anything by ourselves and we should cherish the gifts that we get from community. We might think we are super talented. But we are a community of leaders meant to inspire each other and those we lead. (Deuteronomy 21:10)
2. We need to make sure to listen to those with more experience. The Torah says that the parents came and asked the community for advice of what to do about the child who didn’t listen (ignored his elders). We are here to offer advice to each other and our clients. Life experience is not measured by age. (Deuteronomy 21:18)
3. If you messed up, deal with the consequences and make sure to clean up the mess and put it behind you. (Deuteronomy 21:22)
4. Someone should not have to carry a burden too heavy for them. It is your responsibility to lend a hand. (Deuteronomy 22:4)
5. As we start to build the company, we must be sure to put in place safe procedures so we can all succeed and no one gets hurt from not knowing where’s the danger zone (Deuteronomy 22:8)
6. We will not try to pair up people to learn or work together that are incompatible with one another. (Deuteronomy 22:10)
7. The stumbling blocks put before us by other will be removed if we keep our faith in ourselves, our mission and the blessings that are brought into our lives.(Deuteronomy 23:6)
8. Be honest and pure in all your business doings so the presence of G-d will be within our mission and service of education and inspiration. (Deuteronomy 23:15)
9. Keep the promises that you make to one another since words (spoken and written) can’t be taken back. (Deuteronomy 23:23)
10. Always give credit where it is due. What other wrote, created should be publicized by you with credit to them. (Deuteronomy 24:7)
11. All people who work for Tech Success, Inc. will get full benefit and wages at the agreed upon time and all vendors will be paid when we agreed to pay them. (Deuteronomy 24:14)
12. Our freedom is a gift. No one should ever feel that they have to do something they do not wish to do. (Deuteronomy 24:18 & 22)
13. We will charge for our services and products what if just, and do business in a fair way (Deuteronomy 25:4)

Thank you for believing in the dream that will become a reality on Tuesday, September 1, 2009.

Avi Katz does it again in " The Waiting Wall

As many of you know I have been working with Avi Katz for years with the beautiful designs you all have come to cherish, wear with pride, and give as gifts to others through the www.ancientties.com web site. Many of you might not know much about Avi Katz but once you have seen his talent in Illustration you will never forget his style.

Avi Katz was born in Philadelphia in 1949. He studied at UC Berkeley and immigrated to Israel in 1970, where he has lived and worked ever since. Avi graduated from Bezalel in Fine Arts, and became a member of Agudat Hatzayarim (Artists' Guild), AKI (Israel Caricaturists' Guild), Illustrators' Association, and Association of Science Fiction Artists.

The illustrator of over 100 books, Avi has produced impressive body of award-winning work. Seven of his books received the Ze'ev Prize, and four are IBBY-Andersen honor winners. The Waiting Wall is his first book for Hachai Publishing.

About the new book: The Waiting Wall he has just illustrated:

When a young brother and sister walk through the Old City of Jeruslaem on their way to the Kotel ( The wall), parents will want their young children to "walk" along!

In simple, poetic language, The Waiting Wall describes the beauty of the Kotel in every detail... the ancient stones, the plants and birds that find shelter there... and the many people who sway in tefillah(prayer), "like trees in the wind."

Why do some people have tears in their eyes? Why are there little papers stuffed into the cracks between the stones? What used to be here many years ago?

The Waiting Wall is a book to be experienced, not just read. It is a special journey to one of the most special places on earth.

The Waiting Wall

Written by Leah Braunstein Levy and illustrated by Avi Katz

About the author:

Leah Braunstein Levy has been writing and editing ever since she learned to read. After graduating from Bais Yaakov, Leah received her B.A. from Touro College, and has worked as a copyeditor for, among others, Random House Publishing Company. Her previous work has appeared in several publications, including Highlights for Children. She has also worked as a freelance editor for some fascinating Torah scholars. The Waiting Wall is her first book for children.

The Waiting Wall

Written by Leah Braunstein Levy illustrated by Avi Katz

ISBN: 978-1-929628-49-0 / LCCN: 2009927317

Hardcover / Pages 26 / Ages 3-6 / List price $12.95

You may find it at your local Jewish Book store and other book stores. If you want this book immediately you can contact the publisher and order your copies for your school, and other organizations