Questionnaire: Tackling social issues, with economic advice
Uriel Lederberg heads Paamonim, an organization that advises people how to manage their money.
By RUTH EGLASHUriel Lederberg 521(photo credit: Courtesy)
Uriel LederbergAge: 37Profession: Director of the Paamonim organizationPlace of birth: JerusalemCurrent residence: Beit El■ What gets you out of bed in the morning? I get up to another active day, helping people make changes to improve their lives. The thought of another day leading families toward economic independence makes me feel great and gives me plenty of motivation to get out of bed. In addition, my day usually begins with a swim in the pool, and that really gets me going.■ What keeps you up at night? There are a number of things that keep me awake at night: For example, excitement around significant emotional milestones, such as receiving the President’s Award for Volunteering in 2010, or my son’s bar mitzva. Sometimes I can’t sleep because of work pressure, difficulties meeting internal goals, or external issues that are hard to solve.
■ What’s the most difficult professional moment you’ve faced so far? My toughest moments are associated with deciding to stop Paamonim’s economic recovery process with a family, or deciding not to accept a family due to their unsuitability to our programs. I also find it very hard to fire a worker even if it is clearly the right thing to do.■ How do you celebrate your achievements? This is a good question. I don’t celebrate achievements because I go directly on to the next thing and don’t find the time or the peace of mind to celebrate. I definitely need to improve on this issue.■ If you were prime minister, what’s the first thing you would do? To tell you the truth, I think the prime minister’s job must be one big headache. I am not sure that I have the right skills for that job. I am too soft and I listen to people too much.■ Which Israeli should have a movie made about him/her? I would make a movie about the Israeli volunteer who helps others, using his time and skills to further an issue close to his heart. The movie should be about him!■ What would you change about Israelis if you could? I would get rid of the dissension and rivalry between the various factions in society. There are differences and there are sectors – and that is how it should be – but we need more tolerance and reconciliation, more solidarity.■ iPad, BlackBerry or pen and paper? BlackBerry.■ If you had to write an advertisement to entice tourists to come to Israel, what would it say? For Jewish tourists I would focus on the history and continuity of the Jewish people, how they are going strong up to the present day and beyond. For other tourists I would emphasize the powerful message of Israel as a modern Western state in the Middle East.■ What is the most serious problem facing the country? The social problem. We can beat the outside enemy, but I am most concerned about what is happening within society – the disconnect between one sector and another, and the distancing between one person and another.■ How can it be solved? Everyone must see it as his task, and his life’s purpose, to change the social situation, not to rely on the government or on anyone else. The more people adopt this approach the more convinced I am that things will improve.■ In 20 years, the country will be: I am an optimistic person, and I am sure that things will be better in every way.
Related TagsQuestions
if(catID != 151){
var cont = `Take Israel home with the new Jerusalem Post Store
