What is greatness? The students of Hillel Yeshiva High School were engrossed as they listened to Mr. Charlie Harary answer that question. Mr. Harary, literally rocked the room with his enthusiastic presentation. There was not a sound from the more than 200 students and faculty as they listened to his skillful, touching and energetic presentation. As a motivational speaker, Mr. Harary uses compelling stories to engage the audience, while interacting with them by asking rhetorical questions. He interjected his own personal experiences as a high school student in the Yeshivah of Flatbush, a technique that definitely helped to keep the students interested in his message. He was so entertaining that the students seemed to forget that they were being taught a life lesson.
Mr. Harary told a story of a blind boy who, due to the love and dedication of his older brother, learned to shoot baskets from the foul line. As the tale unfolded; from the years of practice to the outcome of the championship high school game, the students sat riveted. Mr. Harary explained that the team was good but they achieved greatness by allowing the boy to shoot the winning foul shots. They learned the all-important lesson about caring about another person.
According to Mr. Harary, if we are smart, dress well and are popular, we are good but one must care for others to become great.
His message was, “strive for greatness. Don’t settle for mediocrity. It is okay to be good but push for greatness! If you see something wrong, be the person to stop it; sit next to the student who is alone at lunch; stop someone who pokes fun at another student. Live your life in the best possible way.” He concluded by blessing the student body and reminding them that the Jewish people are a beacon to the world, a light unto the nations.
In a separate assembly, Mr. Harary delivered the same emotionally powerful message to 100 7th and 8th grade students. He encouraged them to choose to be great; it is about doing for others.
Mr. Harary travels all over the country speaking to organizations, universities, institutions and schools.He is the CEO of H3 Capital LLC, he is an associate professor of Management and Entrepreneurship at the Sy Syms School of Business of Yeshiva University. He is also a senior lecturer for the Orthodox Union, Aish Ha Torah and NCSY, and of course, a leading member of the community, who has developed methods to teach spirituality in modern and innovative ways. He is a member of the Executive Board of the OU as well as the Founding Chairman of its Young Leadership Cabinet. He is also a member of the Conference of Young Jewish Presidents.
