The Power of Conversation
Earlier this week I had a meeting with someone I never imagined I would ever cross paths with. We met over coffee and while we each shared widely divergent viewpoints I learned a great deal over the course of our conversation and we each left with a lot of issues to think about. I bring up this story because I have found that people today rarely just sit down and talk to have a conversation. Communication is through email, im’s, and text messaging where the goal is to express yourself using as few letter as possible.
I feel that teens in particular fail to understand the value of face to face communication where two people can truly grow through a conversation and exchange of ideas and understand a different perspective. I am worried that in the era of the internet and Wikipedia it may seem to many teenagers that talking to people in order to learn something is quaint and outdated; when often times the way to truly learn or internalize a new idea is through a discussion with another human being whose non-verbal communication adds layers and depth to their words which cannot be expressed over the internet.
Recognizing the importance of face to face communication I am currently in England visiting with members of Tribe which is part of the United Synagogue, a British organization similar to the Orthodox Union. I am here because I know that I cannot begin to fully appreciate the scope of Tribe’s programming and services or their methods and vision without taking the time to meet with the people who run the organization and learn firsthand their perspectives. Next week I plan on sharing some of the new knowledge I gained from my visit.
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