Every year, Tribe 12 hosts a festive Hanukkah party and invites our entire community – people of all ages – to celebrate together. This year, our theme is mentorship, focusing on five individuals who have given innumerable hours and limitless care to our community over the years (psst… join us on December 16th!).
As we honor them, I also want to use this opportunity to think about the broader concept of mentorship and to encourage others to seek out a chance to play this role and.
Mentorship is one of the most powerful tools we have for personal and professional growth, yet it often goes unnoticed in the fast-paced, results-driven world we inhabit. In a time when the pursuit of career milestones often overshadows the quiet work of nurturing talent, it’s worth pausing to reflect on the power of mentorship—and how it can shape lives in profound ways.
Sheryl Sandberg, in her seminal work Lean In, touches upon the importance of mentorship. In her article “Are You My Mentor?” she reflects on the challenges of finding a mentor, acknowledging that it is not always clear who will step into that role or how such relationships evolve. Sandberg underscores an essential truth: mentorship is not just about professional advice or job placements, it is about deep personal connection, encouragement, and guidance. A mentor helps illuminate the path forward when the future seems uncertain, and their influence can extend far beyond the limits of a title or job description.
Sandberg’s reflections remind us that mentorship is often informal, evolving organically over time, based on trust and shared experience rather than a formal arrangement. A good mentor, she suggests, will not only guide a person’s career but will also play a key role in helping them build confidence and navigate personal challenges. This vision of mentorship, where it is viewed not as a title or task but as a shared journey of growth, is one that resonates deeply in all aspects of life.
At Tribe 12 mentorship appears in various ways. Most formally it comes through the coach and peer relationships in our entrepreneurial Fellowship, as evidenced by our honorees, longtime coach Matt Pincus and multi-year peer Ariella Werden-Greenfied. Our staff members also serve as peer mentors to constituents, offering care and support as demonstrated in therelationship Danielle Selber has with so many alumni and constituents in her over 13 years working at Tribe 12. And often our constituents mentor each other when they step up as lay leaders, as Danielle and Jonah Adams have done in their creation of Moon Circle and Well Read Menches (two of our tribes).
As a rabbi, I have always prided myself on the relationships I create and maintain with the many young people I have had the honor to connect with in my work at Hillel and then at Base. I have a small group of young folks who have met regularly on Zoom since 2021 to study the early books of the prophets. We have been joined by Tribe 12 folks since I moved here and we are currently reading II Kings. Last year we came across a story that brought my vision of mentorship to light. In the first Books of Kings, we learn about two priests—Evyatar and Tzadok. Evyatar was a high priest during the reign of King David, but when King Solomon took the throne, he replaced Evyatar with Tzadok. Despite being replaced, Evyatar did not walk away from his calling. Instead, he continued to serve as a priest, not in the official capacity he once held, but with the same commitment to his duties.
This narrative speaks volumes about the nature of mentorship. Evyatar’s role as a mentor did not end with his title. His service to the people continued long after he had been officially replaced by Tzadok. Mentorship, like Evyatar’s, is not confined to official roles or titles. It transcends position and is rooted in a deeper commitment to the success and well-being of others. It reminds us that the impact of a mentor is not measured by their official position, but by the love, guidance, and support they offer over time.
At Tribe 12, we have a living, breathing testament to this model of mentorship. We are blessed to have witnessed countless individuals work tirelessly to mentor the next generation, offering wisdom, encouragement, and support. They guide young people through challenges, encourage them to pursue their dreams, and help them stay grounded in their values. Like Evyatar, their commitment to the young Jewish adults is not defined by an official role. It is a lasting bond, one that I hope will carry on long after any formal title or job description fades away. With this in mind we have created a new mentorship program that is kicking off in 2025. We hope you will choose to join us as a mentee or mentor/coach this year!
In celebrating the mentors who have shaped us, we also recognize that the greatest gift we can give to others is the opportunity to grow and succeed. So, here’s to the mentors—whether they are official or not—who help guide young Jewish adults in Philadelphia. Your dedication to their growth is invaluable, and your commitment to their future makes all the difference. Just as Evyatar continued to serve despite the loss of his official role, may we continue to shape lives, leaving behind a legacy that transcends titles and positions.
