[postlink]http://gppr.blogspot.com/2009/04/point.html[/postlink]
THE POINT
To Believe or Not to Believe…
I’ve played once before in the complex sandbox of Public Relations. In other words, I used to work in PR back in “the Day” (2000-2005); primarily with entertainers. In hindsight I can say with complete confidence that I disliked 95% percent of them. At the end of my run, I found myself burnt out – to a crisp. I left my desk with the intention of leaving for good.
However in 2007, through certain circumstances, I was pulled back to that desk to help raise funds and awareness for two non-profit organizations. One project I had worked on involved a drug counseling center and the other, a pre-school. I found the work to be spiritually rewarding and was therefore successful in strategically planning publicity tactics and pitching the media. It was then that I realized the obvious: I’ll do better at my job if I truly believe in what I’m selling. I launched Global Point Public Relations immediately. Now I’m back in the PR business with a whole new song and dance.
On Sunday night my professional journey led me to the Brandeis-Bardin University, where I was finally privileged to watch a play I’ve been promoting this past month called “The Quarrel”. I already knew the plot; two friends, having survived the Holocaust, are shocked to meet in a park years later, having believed the other dead. One has become a Rabbi and one has lost his faith. What ensues is an argument over Gd, morality and the past; a Quarrel. But though I knew generally what I was going to see, I found myself sitting in my chair while my eyes welled up with tears: I was blown away.
The two main characters, Chaim (played by Sam Guncler) and Hirsch (played by Reuven Russel) argue their respective beliefs with ferocity and great depth of sincerity. Chaim is as deeply passionate about his lack of faith as Hirch is in his devotion to Gd. Further, because of their horribly painful experiences and enormous losses during the Holocaust, they both demonstrate every reason to feel the way they do. While the Quarrel is never really settled, the relationship between these two friends comes across as deep, personal and rich with the history that created it. They love each other a great deal despite their anger, and are thankful for the chance to meet again. And though their beliefs are profoundly different, they share an underlying connection that only they understand. Co writer Rabbi Joseph Telushkin sums up the theme of The Quarrel up perfectly; “Can you love someone whose views you can’t stand?” while Sam Guncler advises; “See it with someone you hate!”
The Quarrel tugged at my personal struggles and when the lights came on and the cast bowed, I noticed that others were affected as well. I appreciate the way the story focused on human relationships as much as it did on our relationship with Gd.
As for me, I’m with Hirsch and I am thankful to have worked with such a wonderful production, one that reinforces my desire to work with clients in whom I have faith. I can’t wait to promote The Quarrel when it comes to California again, and I can’t wait to see all you Angelinos there.
THE POINT
To Believe or Not to Believe…
I’ve played once before in the complex sandbox of Public Relations. In other words, I used to work in PR back in “the Day” (2000-2005); primarily with entertainers. In hindsight I can say with complete confidence that I disliked 95% percent of them. At the end of my run, I found myself burnt out – to a crisp. I left my desk with the intention of leaving for good.
However in 2007, through certain circumstances, I was pulled back to that desk to help raise funds and awareness for two non-profit organizations. One project I had worked on involved a drug counseling center and the other, a pre-school. I found the work to be spiritually rewarding and was therefore successful in strategically planning publicity tactics and pitching the media. It was then that I realized the obvious: I’ll do better at my job if I truly believe in what I’m selling. I launched Global Point Public Relations immediately. Now I’m back in the PR business with a whole new song and dance.
On Sunday night my professional journey led me to the Brandeis-Bardin University, where I was finally privileged to watch a play I’ve been promoting this past month called “The Quarrel”. I already knew the plot; two friends, having survived the Holocaust, are shocked to meet in a park years later, having believed the other dead. One has become a Rabbi and one has lost his faith. What ensues is an argument over Gd, morality and the past; a Quarrel. But though I knew generally what I was going to see, I found myself sitting in my chair while my eyes welled up with tears: I was blown away.
The two main characters, Chaim (played by Sam Guncler) and Hirsch (played by Reuven Russel) argue their respective beliefs with ferocity and great depth of sincerity. Chaim is as deeply passionate about his lack of faith as Hirch is in his devotion to Gd. Further, because of their horribly painful experiences and enormous losses during the Holocaust, they both demonstrate every reason to feel the way they do. While the Quarrel is never really settled, the relationship between these two friends comes across as deep, personal and rich with the history that created it. They love each other a great deal despite their anger, and are thankful for the chance to meet again. And though their beliefs are profoundly different, they share an underlying connection that only they understand. Co writer Rabbi Joseph Telushkin sums up the theme of The Quarrel up perfectly; “Can you love someone whose views you can’t stand?” while Sam Guncler advises; “See it with someone you hate!”
The Quarrel tugged at my personal struggles and when the lights came on and the cast bowed, I noticed that others were affected as well. I appreciate the way the story focused on human relationships as much as it did on our relationship with Gd.
As for me, I’m with Hirsch and I am thankful to have worked with such a wonderful production, one that reinforces my desire to work with clients in whom I have faith. I can’t wait to promote The Quarrel when it comes to California again, and I can’t wait to see all you Angelinos there.