All In

Many of you saw my Facebook post this week with a picture marking our 35th wedding anniversary. Thank you to all who reacted and wrote hundreds of Mazel Tovs and blessings. But one of you not only sent greetings but also asked a question that really got my attention. She wrote:

“Mazel Tov. What is your secret?”

I answered: “We’re all in.”

For most of us, our parents and grandparents walked to the chuppah and began a committed marriage where failure was not an option. On the dark side, there were some that should have gotten divorced, yet the social pressure to stay married did not give that option.

But that same social pressure – to get married and stay married -was also good.

When I was growing up, there was one kid in my primary school class from “a divorced home” (said in a whisper). Amongst my parents’ friends, only one couple got divorced.

Interestingly, I am also often asked what the secret to my success in Jewish leadership is, and I actually give the same answer: “I’m all in.”

Ladies and gentlemen, I truly believe it is the key to success in almost everything: Be. All. In.

And…I would be remiss if I did not share just one more piece of priceless marital advice from my mother: “The secret to a long marriage is a short memory.”

Here’s to 35 more!