Mazal tov to the recent graduates of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation’s Jewish Leaders Institute (JLI). The second cohort of a successful leadership development program, this group of 22 dedicated individuals spent 18 months learning together, beginning in October 2013. The Jewish Leaders Institute was created to further JUF’s deep dedication and commitment to leadership education. Participants in JLI’s second cohort were chosen based on their demonstrated commitment to the community and to JUF.

The program was chaired by JUF Board member Wendy Berger Shapiro. The instructors were foremost experts in their field, both from Chicago and around the country. Dr. Hal Lewis, President and CEO of Spertus Institute of Jewish Learning and Leadership, served as the program’s scholar-in-residence and taught alongside other renowned professionals including Julie Hamos, Toby Rubin, Dr. Yehuda Kurtzer, and JUF President Steven B. Nasatir.

The curriculum focused on JUF/JF education, Jewish values and community, and organizational leadership training. Participants were exposed to topics ranging from, “How Values Shape our Philanthropic Choices” to “Understanding the Israel and Overseas Agenda” to “10 Things Every (Jewish) Leader Needs to Know.” One of the goals of JLI has been to develop a cohort of leaders who are able to translate and adapt Jewish learning to the realities and needs of the future, and many of the participants are already on the path to transform and tackle today’s complex issues facing Jews locally, nationally, and globally.

A role model for Jewish communal leadership in Chicago, JLI’s program has been replicated as other organizations realize the importance of developing and fostering training programs to guide leadership along their volunteer career path. We look forward to seeing the contributions of this second cohort of Jewish leaders to Chicago’s Jewish community.

Graduates of the second JLI cohort include:

Bluma Broner, Eli Davis, Seth Hanau, Jason Howard, Lisa Jericho, Ari Klein, Jen Leemis, Andy Lucas, Marisa Mandrea, Lindsey Markus, Michael Masters, Jeremy Oberfeld, Brandon Prosansky, Rebecca Richards, Dov Robinson, Sandra Rosenstein, Matthew Seidner, Ben Sher, David L. Solow, Rachel Stein, Robyn Tavel, and Brian Taylor.