Combining Talmudic passages and modern-day corporate business ideals, Timberland CEO Jeff Swartz described how his company integrates social justice practices into its daily business.
Swartz addressed Steinhardt JCSC Fellows and other professionals as part of the Kolker-Saxon-Hallock Engagement Institute. Swartz dedicated his remarks to the late J.J. Greenberg who exemplified the Jewish ideals of tzedaka (justice) and chesed (kindness) in his life and in his work as the executive director of the Jewish Life Network.
Swartz's speech focused on the Talmudic question: "Which is more important? Good deeds or studying?" Weaving choice Hebrew phrases into his family's history, Swartz showed how his company is "organized around the principle that doing well and doing good are inextricably linked." Swartz spoke of Timberland's community service record, from donating boots to Servapalooza, Timberland's annual day of service