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David Markowitz

The Hidden Gift of Mentorship: How Helping Others Helps You

Seats arranged just before International Olami Mentorship Weekend in London. 
photo by: Blake Ezra Photography
Seats arranged just before International Olami Mentorship Weekend in London. photo by: Blake Ezra Photography

“Mentorship is a favor you do for someone else.”
“Becoming a mentor is only for people who have time to spare.”
“Mentorship is about giving advice, not receiving anything in return.”

These are just a few of the common beliefs about mentorship. They paint a picture of mentorship as a one-sided act of generosity, reserved for those with extra time and energy to give. But what if I told you that mentorship is just as much for the mentor as it is for the mentee? What if mentorship is actually the key to advancing your own personal and spiritual fulfillment? 

In Jewish tradition, we learn that spiritual growth requires constant effort. But, as we all know, life is full of pressures—professional obligations, family responsibilities, and community commitments—that can easily distract us from nurturing our souls. If we’re not intentional about creating space for growth, it’s easy to find ourselves stuck in routine or even moving backward. Mentoring a young Jewish adult on their professional, personal and spiritual journey is one way to change that.

When you take on a mentee with Olami, you’re not just giving—you’re receiving. You’re asked questions that challenge your assumptions and prompt you to look inward. Sandra Bitton, an Olami mentor from Montreal, shared, “The preparation for each mentorship session has given me so much benefit, knowledge, and warmth—it’s truly a privilege for me.”​ Reflecting further, she added, “My mentee guided me as much as I guided her, showing me what was meaningful and interesting to her.”

Mentorship creates opportunities for introspection that few other experiences can provide. When you guide someone through their own challenges—whether personal or professional—you inevitably hold up a mirror to your own life. Are you living up to the ideals you’re teaching? Are you embodying the values you’re sharing? These moments of self-reflection are invaluable, especially in a world where spiritual growth often takes a back seat to the demands of daily life.

Mentorship is not just another responsibility in an already overwhelming schedule. It’s precisely because life is so demanding that mentorship is so necessary. It forces us to pause, connect, and engage in meaningful conversations that might otherwise be lost in the chaos. It’s an active antidote to stagnation, a way to ensure that our spiritual lives continue to advance amidst the hustle and busyness of daily life.

The beauty of mentorship is that it works both ways. The mentee gains guidance, support, and inspiration, while the mentor experiences profound personal and spiritual growth that might otherwise remain untapped. Mentors forge meaningful connections within their communities, gain a renewed sense of purpose, and experience the deep fulfillment that comes from making a lasting impact. 

It’s time to acknowledge that mentorship isn’t just a favor for the mentee, and it’s certainly not just for those with extra time to spare. It’s for anyone who wants to grow, who refuses to let life’s escalator pull them downward. It’s for those who believe that giving and receiving are two sides of the same coin. It’s for you.

So why not take that step? Join the Olami Mentorship Program or find someone in your community who could benefit from your guidance. I think you’ll discover it’s the greatest gift you can give yourself.

About the Author
Rabbi David Markowitz, Executive Vice President of Olami, has been focused on Jewish outreach for the past 20 years. He has worked in numerous outreach capacities, including educational development, programming, Kiruv training, camp programming, campus outreach, and management. Prior to his role with Olami, he worked as the COO of Aish NY, a campus Rabbi at UCLA, and managed ten college campuses for JAM in LA.
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