When we are discussing a particularly intractable problem, and there seems to be no solution, no positive outcome – in fact, no outcome at all – we often scratch our heads and say: “Well, it’s a matter of leadership.” In other words, a lack of leadership. We cannot untangle the conundrum. We go round in circles. Something is missing.

On November 16, theIntegrity Commission of Jamaica, led by the indomitable Executive Director Greg Christie, issued a press release, outlining what it considers to be the essential components of a good leader. If Twitter does go belly-up, I will certainly miss Mr. Christie’s wise and focused daily tweets each morning from @Greg0706.

The Commission is also urging our political leaders to subscribe to an official Code of Conduct Leadership Commitment. The press release came out the day after the Government’s announcement that the Office of the Political Ombudsman

The Greek goddess Athena had as her sacred animal familiar the owl, also known as the Athene Noctua in Latin. The Romans, fond as they were of stealing from the Greek pantheon, renamed Athena to Minerva. Athena and her owl are considered to be symbols of wisdom, in both cultures.

Athene Noctua

Athena’s owl or Athene Noctua is most famously depicted on ancient Athenian coins dating from the fifth century BCE. To the Romans an owl feather placed near you when you were sleeping would prompt the slumberer to reveal their secrets while in the throes of REM.

In Rome, the owl came to be synonymous with death if it was seen hooting in the…

This year, building on the previous two years’ notes about where to meet a wife, and what to do with the kids, we wonder if how parents meet up has anything to do with how kids grow up, and how that all affects the mental/emotional and physical health of the kids.  What are your thoughts, Empathetic Readers?

Last year, we asked how to protect children who have no one to properly care for them, let alone family? 

   The previous year, 5781, we wondered if the ‘water the camels test’ was a good way to find a wife:

Etz Chaim

Empathy is a crucial point that seems to be lacking in this parashah, the 5th in the Torah.  A bit like the empathy that Cem and Ceren (of Sihirli Annem) are lacking in the image above, as Cem tells his little sister not to rat him…