Spertus Institute

Don't miss the opportunity to join the Fall 2026 cohort of the Leadership Certificate in Combating Antisemitism — bringing these important skills back to your community. Applications August 3rd! https://www.spertus.edu/leadership-certificate-in-combating-antisemitism-for-professionals/

Last call to apply! Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your leadership and join this growing network of dedicated Jewish communal professionals and lay leaders. Apply by August 3rd for the Leadership Certificate in Combating Antisemitism (LCCA) Fall Cohorts!

For Professionals: https://www.spertus.edu/leadership-certificate-in-combating-antisemitism-for-professionals/
and
For Lay Leaders: https://www.spertus.edu/lay-leadership-certificate-in-combating-antisemitism/

Professionals and Lay Leaders will study in parallel tracks, with opportunities for shared learning. The LCCA program will deepen both cohorts’ understanding of antisemitism and prepare them to address this moment with greater clarity and confidence in their respective roles. The program is hybrid, with online sessions and an in-person seminar at Spertus’ award-winning facility. ��⁠
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Scholarships available for Professional/Board Member pairs! Senior professionals and lay leaders from the same organization are encouraged to apply! Scholarship funds available for professionals and lay leaders from the same organization who are both accepted into the fall cohorts.⁠
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Monthly Roundup — Spertus Institute's latest news and upcoming opportunities to learn with us!

Spertus Institute's Monthly Roundup Spertus Institute's latest news and upcoming opportunities to learn with us!

Last call to apply! Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your leadership and join this growing network of dedicated Jewish communal professionals and lay leaders. Apply by August 3rd for the Leadership Certificate in Combating Antisemitism (LCCA) Fall Cohorts!

For Professionals: https://www.spertus.edu/leadership-certificate-in-combating-antisemitism-for-professionals/
and
For Lay Leaders: https://www.spertus.edu/lay-leadership-certificate-in-combating-antisemitism/

Professionals and Lay Leaders will study in parallel tracks, with opportunities for shared learning. The LCCA program will deepen both cohorts’ understanding of antisemitism and prepare them to address this moment with greater clarity and confidence in their respective roles. The program is hybrid, with online sessions and an in-person seminar at Spertus’ award-winning facility. ��⁠
⁠
Scholarships available for Professional/Board Member pairs! Senior professionals and lay leaders from the same organization are encouraged to apply! Scholarship funds available for professionals and lay leaders from the same organization who are both accepted into the fall cohorts.⁠
⁠

Join our next Connect & Learn led by Spertus mentor and coach Becky Altman. This interactive session focuses on taking ownership of your career growth, regardless of title. Say goodbye to those awkward, annual development conversations that can lead to feelings of frustration, ambiguity and stagnation. Participants will learn how to build effective individual development plans, and receive a take-home planning tool that both employees and managers can use to spark meaningful career conversations, set actionable goals, and drive targeted growth.

Career by Design: Practical Strategies for Intentional Career Growth
📅 Tuesday, August 18, 2026
🕛 12:30-1:30 p.m. CT
💻 Via Zoom

Register Now: https://www.spertus.edu/connect-learn-career-by-design

This free, online Connect & Learn session includes break-out time to connect, learn, and meet new colleagues. Reservations are required. Sign up today!

Presented by Spertus Institute and JPro Chicago, Connect & Learn is an online, community-building, professional development series.

Connect & Learn | Career by Design: Practical Strategies for Intentional Career Growth Tuesday, August 18 - Spertus mentor and coach Becky Altman leads this interactive session focused on taking ownership of your career growth.

Apply by August 3rd!

For Professionals: https://www.spertus.edu/leadership-certificate-in-combating-antisemitism-for-professionals/
and
For Lay Leaders: https://www.spertus.edu/lay-leadership-certificate-in-combating-antisemitism/

Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your leadership and join this growing network of dedicated Jewish communal professionals and lay leaders.

Professionals and Lay Leaders will study in parallel tracks, with opportunities for shared learning. The LCCA program will deepen both cohorts’ understanding of antisemitism and prepare them to address this moment with greater clarity and confidence in their respective roles. The program is hybrid, with online sessions and an in-person seminar at Spertus’ award-winning facility.

Senior professionals and lay leaders from the same organization are encouraged to apply! Additional scholarship funds are available for professionals and lay leaders from the same organization who are both accepted into the fall cohorts.

For Professionals:
https://www.spertus.edu/leadership-certificate-in-combating-antisemitism-for-professionals/

For Lay Leaders:
https://www.spertus.edu/lay-leadership-certificate-in-combating-antisemitism/

Photo: Dr. Keren Fraiman teaching at the 2025 LCCA Seminar.

Join us in congratulating Cohort 20 on their completion of the Certificate in Jewish Leadership! These Jewish professionals and lay leaders leveled up their leadership, and we can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make in their communities!

Alyssa Berman Bender of State College, PA
Director of Development, Penn State Hillel

Sasha Bloch of New York, NY
Director of Leadership, Anti-Defamation League, ADL

Rachel Moser of New York, NY
Senior Lead, Strategic Planning & Grants, UJA-Federation of New York

Ari Mungin of Jacksonville, FL
Administrative Coordinator, Bernard and Alice Selevan Religious School, Jacksonville Jewish Center

Noa Rosenzweig of Minneapolis, MN
Manager of Israel Center, Minneapolis Jewish Federation

Dana Solomon of Brookline, MA
Director of Development, Mayyim Hayyim Living Waters Community Mikveh and Education Center

Mazel Tov!

>> Applications for Cohort 21 of the Certificate in Jewish Leadership, presented in partnership with Northwestern University, are now open. Join a national network of leaders shaping Jewish life. Learn more and apply through the link: https://www.spertus.edu/certificate-in-jewish-leadership/

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Especially after October 7, countless educators in the Jewish community struggle to engage with the realities of the ongoing conflict, and wonder how to start a generative conversation about Israel. Navigating the nuance isn’t an easy task, which is why Spertus Institute is excited and honored to become the new home of "Conflicts of Interest" – a program designed to help Jewish educators and communal leaders engage more effectively with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

As a more-than-century-old accredited institution of higher Jewish learning, Spertus has the deep expertise and understanding of Israel education and leadership development to build on this program’s successful foundation and expand its impact. Spertus plans to serve more educators, professionals, and leaders, while identifying additional audiences, topics, and delivery models to increase its reach and depth.

This initiative speaks to the Spertus Institute’s important work in Israel learning and leadership.

https://www.spertus.edu/announcing-conflicts-of-interest/

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Jim Joseph Foundation
Schusterman Family Philanthropies

This week’s story in EJewish Philanthropy highlighted Spertus Institute’s plans to become the new home of the Conflicts of Interest program. We’re excited to move forward with this proven initiative that will help Jewish educators and community leaders guide difficult conversations around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

As Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Keren Fraiman said in the article, “Education around this topic is entering into so many Jewish spaces, and so our hope is that anywhere that there are educators who are thinking and addressing some of these questions, that they will consider joining us as students.”

Conflicts of Interest is strongly aligned with Spertus Institute's mission to provide high-impact, relevant Jewish learning that prepares community leaders for the future and with our long-standing commitment to robust, nuanced Israel education.

Thank you to EJP for covering our news!

https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/spertus-institute-acquires-shuttered-icenters-conflicts-of-interest-program/

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Spertus Institute is excited and honored to become the new home for Conflicts of Interest, a program designed to help Jewish educators and communal leaders engage more effectively with the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts.⁠
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In a post-October 7 world, many of these individuals are looking for the best ways to approach discussions about Israel and Jewish identity, and engage with the conflict. These necessary conversations aren’t always intuitive, and we’re sometimes left feeling stuck and confused, wondering how to navigate the moment and continue our understanding. ⁠
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Working to move the dialogue forward, Conflicts of Interest will serve more educators, professionals, and leaders, while identifying additional audiences, topics, and delivery models to increase its reach and depth.⁠
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As a more-than-century-old accredited institution of higher Jewish learning, Spertus has the deep expertise and understanding of Israel education and leadership development to continue building on the program’s proven approach. ⁠
⁠
This initiative speaks to the Spertus Institute’s important work in Israel learning and leadership.

https://www.spertus.edu/announcing-conflicts-of-interest//

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Jim Joseph Foundation
Schusterman Family Philanthropies