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The intersection of strategic communications & political advocacy. Also #storytelling #speechwriting & more

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#Ohio #Governor @johnkasich leads annual #Holocaust Commemoration

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Testifying in support of #Ohio #HB476 (anti-BDS): @hillelintl CEO Eric Fingerhut, Brandeis Center's Ken Marcus & Nazareth Restaurant's Hany Baransi. Also Hillel team meeting Speaker Pro Tem Ron Amstutz.

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Full house at #yomhashoah commemoration #cbus board of #rabbis @jewishcolumbus

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#Ohio #OHSotS. Gov. @johnkasich Speaker @CARosenberger President @keith.faber

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Great community events this week with 2 fantastic #Ohio #legislators: Speaker Pro Tem Ron Amstutz at #Akron JCB & Rep. @stephkunze & @jewishcolumbus #JCRC

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Even as we engage from afar, over email & phone, it’s critical that our elected officials & their staff see us “where they work” on a regular basis. This is direct democracy, and it is so important. The past few days in DC have taken us from one end of Pennsylvania Ave to the other & back again. The issues spanned greater inclusion of those with disabilities into the workforce to security in the wake of terrorism & threats to our community.

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Dangerous times. So it’s a crucial security meeting w/@columbuspolice & @jewishcolumbus @columbusjcc #Jewish Foundation. Thank you Jackie Jacobs, Gordon Hecker, Bob Lane, & Chief Jacobs, Dep. Chief Woods, & Dep. Chief Kuebler. A lot of work already done. Lots more to do.

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#Governor Kasich finishes up the year in review. Focus for next year is tax reform. "The lower that income #tax is, the better" #LtGov Mary Taylor focused on success of workers compensation reform as well as looking at #CSI regulatory reform. Speaker Rosenberger looked to upcoming BRAC & military services commission while @keith.faber talked about higher education coming in with cost reductions & need to increase #government #efficiency

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“74 years after the attack on Pearl Harbor, we endure as a nation dedicated to affirming the inherent dignity of every person—even in the face of unspeakable violence. As President Franklin D. Roosevelt said the day after the attack, "the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.” On this day, let us honor the memory of all who gave their lives so that President Roosevelt’s words could be realized, and let us resolve to uphold the legacy of our country, for which generations of brave men and women have fought and sacrificed.“ —President Obama on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

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Never say seven sentences when seven words will do

[Note: this is a cross post from the Vital Speeches blog. Thanks to editor David Murray for allowing me to include it here too.]

The wife and I just took a brief vacation in Boston. There, we spent some time at the JFK library. To a speechwriter, this was going to be gold.

And it did not disappoint. But, to my surprise, the best speechwriting—in fact, the best strategic communications lesson—came…

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Eikev 5774: Revolutionary Contracting

Eikev 5774: Revolutionary Contracting

Show me your writ of divorce, produce your slavery contract, says the Almighty.

As the Jews enter exile, their Temple aflame and their land laid waste, G-d reminds them this is not final, and it is not forever. He will return them so that they may reclaim it.

There are moments in historical time (as on April 19, 1775, on a green in Lexington and a bridge in Concord) when the bond between a…

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Vaeschanan/Nachamu 5774: Speaking Power to Truth

Vaeschanan/Nachamu 5774: Speaking Power to Truth

The job of the prophet in biblical times wasn’t easy. It was downright dangerous, even life-threatening. Noah faced down a mob, and Abraham a fiery furnace. Jacob, later Joseph, and on to Moses were threatened by family, Pharaoh’s, and even angels from on high. It would get no easier for Joshua, a captain the menwould follow. It would get even worse from then on: Samuel needed G-d’s own…

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Called Out

The hero or heroine in fiction is so often a child or teenager. From Twain to Tolkien and Cair Paravel to Castle Rock, the story is (usually) better that way. Yet so often, the Bible went the other way. Abraham was 75 when called by G-d. Moses, 80.

But not this week. Jeremiah counters the Lord’s call, stating “I am but a lad.” To no avail. The Lord still demands he become a prophet, and now.

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Shelach 5774: Wingmen of the World

Shelach 5774: Wingmen of the World

History repeats itself. That’s one of the things wrong with history. – Clarence Darrow

The prophet this week is the one who bookends the Bible with the later scriptures. He was also one of the 12 original spies sent by Moses in this week’s portion. As such, Joshua was in the perfect position, as generals are wont, to fight the last war.

But what Joshua does not do is fail to send spies. And he…

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Naso 5774: It's a Long Game

Naso 5774: It’s a Long Game

The angel arrives with a prophetic charge. The child will grow to be a fierce warrior (and a prophet in his own right) who will lead a successful rebellion against the Philistines.

Salvation – sometimes sure – is not necessarily swift. Samson was not yet born and it was clear even he would not be leading armies from the sandlot. Creating a new paradigm to win a long fought war can take decades.

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Bamidbar 5774: To Eternity & Back

Bamidbar 5774: To Eternity & Back

It has been made into a song. It is recited daily by those who wrap tefillin. And, it has adorned many a wedding invitation.

But it is this week’s HafTorah that is the source of the verses that are G-d’s eternal pledge to the Jewish people: “I betroth thee forever. I betroth thee with justice and judgment, with kindness and mercy.”

You will not find a better, more succinct description of John…

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Bechukosai 5774: Forget Me Not

Bechukosai 5774: Forget Me Not

“The sin of Judah is inscribed with an iron quill, with a diamond like fingernail; engraved into the slate of their heart…” – Jeremiah (17, 1)

The prophet’s vision is one of destruction, and later, of repentance, rescue, rebirth.  But the opening salvo describes a sin so deep it is not easily abandoned, nor lightly forgotten.  The latter is not a bad thing.  

Too often people forget where they…

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