Now accepting applications for the 2019-2020 cohort of the
Certificate in Jewish Leadership.
Begins November 17, 2019. 
Apply now

Presented by Spertus Institute in partnership with Northwestern University, the Certificate in Jewish Leadership enhances the professional abilities of Jewish leaders.

Traditionally, Jewish leadership programs have focused on management skills or Jewish literacy. In this program, leadership training is taught organically within a Jewish context.

The program is for established and emerging leaders (including lay leaders) working with Jewish organizations. Newly promoted managers and directors have found the program particularly beneficial.

Together with a cohort of experienced colleagues serving Jewish communities worldwide, participants learn to:

• Strengthen their own leadership styles
• Communicate effectively, even in difficult situations
• Collaborate within and across organizations
• Manage change
• Inspire excellence
• Achieve goals

To make participation available to participants worldwide, the program is presented through a combination of online content and onsite seminars at the Spertus Institute campus in Chicago (one seminar in the fall, one in the spring). Taught by senior Northwestern University and Spertus Institute faculty, the program concludes with one-on-one mentoring sessions with established community leaders. 

The full cost of the program is $2,500. This includes the Leadership Assessment and Mentor Match, but does not include travel or accommodations. Scholarship opportunities may be available for qualified employees of Jewish organizations. Inquire to find out more.

This is a selective enrollment program. Applicants should have five or more years of professional experience, a bachelor's degree or the equivalent, and a strong commitment to developing and fulfilling their professional potential. 

Interested in finding out if this program is right for you?

Request Information

Or contact Director of Enrollment Anita Silvert
asilvert@spertus.edu
312.322.1707 

Chicago seminars take place during two Chicago seminars

• November 17-19, 2019
• February 9-11, 2020 

The curriculum is a four-course sequence, including a one-on-one mentorship and followed by a capstone conversation. Participants proceed through the curriculum as a cohort, which provides opportunities for peer learning and networking.

November 17-19, 2019 Seminar

Course 1: Models of Jewish Leadership
Dr. Hal M. Lewis, Chancellor, Spertus Institute

Course 2: Collaboration
Dr. Gail Berger Darlow, Assistant Professor, Northwestern University 

February 9-11, 2020 Seminar

Couse 3: Communications for Leaders
Aleen Bayard, Aleen Bayard Inc., Adjunct Faculty, Northwestern University

Course 4: Leading People Though Change
Dr. Russ Rogers, Director, School for New Learning Graduate Programs at DePaul University

About Northwestern University

• Preeminent university recognized as a hallmark of academic excellence.
• Provides exceptional opportunities for intellectual, professional, and personal growth.
• Instructors with outstanding academic credentials and relevant professional experience create highly interactive and collaborative learning environments.
• Students study with peers who have rich, diverse backgrounds and can provide lifelong connections.

About Spertus Institute

• Long and rich history of innovative programming that serves the needs of Jewish educators and communal professionals.
• Diverse, non-denominational offerings are grounded in Jewish thought, inspired by Jewish values, and resolutely relevant to contemporary life.
• Graduate-level degree programs, professional certificates, and workshops blend theory and practice and are taught by leading faculty with real-world experience.
• Serves students around the globe through on-campus and distance-learning programs.

Learning Outcomes

To earn the certificate, participants must complete all four modules and the capstone. Participants who complete the certificate program will be able to:

• Analyze, explain, and model what it means to be an effective leader by drawing upon Jewish scholarship, classical texts, and best practices
• Apply ethical principles based on Jewish traditions into daily leadership practices
• Demonstrate an understanding of key qualities of effective leadership based on contemporary leadership theory
• Develop a repertoire of supervisory, conflict resolution, and change management skills
• Implement strategies and techniques for effective collaboration, team building, and communication
• Synthesize what is learned in this program to solve problems within the organization(s) with which the participant works

Certificate in Jewish Leadership recipients above:
Back row left to right: Derek Greeley, Adath Emanu-El, Mount Laurel, NJ | Max Preschel, Confederacion de Asociaciones Israelitas, Caracas, Venezuela | Kyle Stone, Illinois Department of Public Health, Chicago, IL | Rabbi Elyse Wechterman, Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, Philadelphia, PA | Michael Schneider, Congregation Solel, Highland Park, IL | Abigail Salisbury, Temple Sinai, Pittsburgh, PA | Rena Boroditzky, Chesed Shel Emes, Winnipeg, Manitoba | Levi Zeffren, NSCY, Chicago, IL | Dr. Dean P. Bell, President and CEO, Spertus Institute. Front row: Erica Wilke Bova, Assistant Dean, Northwestern University's School of Professional Studies, Evanston, IL | Moshe Lencer, Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity, Indianapolis, IN | Rabbi Janice Elster, Beth Sholom Synagogue, Toronto, Ontario; Michelle Lawner, JUF/Jewish Federation, Chicago, IL | Justine Saidman, PJ Library and Jewish Writers’ Festival, Sydney, Australia | Lynne Lieberman, Friedman Commission for Jewish Education, West Palm Beach, FL | Doug Winkelstein, BBYO, Chicago, IL. Not pictured: Laurence Bolotin, Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, Chicago, IL | Margaux Friend, Lakeside Congregation, Highland Park, IL | Ariel Lapson, Ta’am Yisrael, JUF/Jewish Federation, Chicago, IL | Michael Markman, Spertus Institute and PwC, Chicago, IL | Susan Solomon, Sinai Congregation, Chicago, IL.

Certificate In Jewish Leadership recipients top of page:
Left to right: Rabbi Anna Levin Rosen, University of Chicago Hillel | Alec Ross, Youth Centers of Israel/Keren Yaldenu | Betsy Gomberg, Spertus Institute | Peter Bensinger, Sr., Morneau Shepell | Jane Charney, Jewish Community Relations Council | Jason Peltz, Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott LLP and Trustee, Jewish United Fund | Dr. Linda Mathias Kaskel, Trustee, Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation | Silvia Testa, NBC Universal Hispanic Group and Women’s Network, NBCU | Not pictured: Allan Bogan, BBYO | Sherrie Weiss, Trustee, Florence Melton School of Adult Learning and Friends of the IDF | Troy Zukowski, Choices for Change and Trustee, Temple B’nai Israel. 

What Participants Say

"I gained business skills, collaboration skills, and greater self-awareness." — Susan Levin-Abir, Director of Development, Hadassah, South Florida

“Provided both theoretical and practical underpinnings to help me bolster my ability to communicate and leverage my strength as part of a team. I see the program as essential to my advancement as a professional.” — Jane Charney, Director of Domestic Affairs, Jewish Community Relations Council

I have been able to take what I learned in each class and use it to enhance the work I do professionally.” — Michael Waitz, North American Director, Shorashim

“...taught me to be more effective as a leader.” — Sheri Hokin, Trustee, Jewish Women's Foundation

“I strongly recommend this program to lay and professional leaders in the Jewish community.” — Shalom Klein, Vice President, Moshe Klein and Associates and Director, Jewish B2B Networking