Spertus Institute

Join our next Connect & Learn led by Spertus faculty member Amy Schiffman. For many leaders, asking for major gifts is the most daunting part of fundraising—but it doesn’t have to be. This interactive session shifts your mindset from “asking” to strategic partnership, exploring donor motivations, effective messaging, and the essential tools for a successful solicitation. Together, we will demystify the mechanics of the meeting—from setting the appointment and determining the right amount, to navigating objections and following up. Participants will leave with practical experience through real-world role-plays, ready to secure meaningful support with confidence.
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Beyond the Fear: The Art and Strategy of the Face-to-Face Ask⁠
📅 Thursday, October 15, 2026⁠
🕛 12:30-1:30 p.m. CT⁠
💻 Via Zoom⁠
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This free, online Connect & Learn session includes break-out time to connect, learn, and meet new colleagues. Reservations are required. Sign up today!⁠ https://www.spertus.edu/connect-learn-beyond-the-fear/
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Presented by Spertus Institute and JPro Chicago, Connect & Learn is an online, community-building, professional development series.

Spertus Expand its Israel Conflict Education Team:

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

Welcome to our newest Professional and Lay leader cohorts, who kicked off their program this week. We wish you well in the important learning you are doing and look forward to welcoming you to campus in a few weeks!

New Team Member News!
Avi Shapira has joined the Spertus team as Coordinator of Academic Administration!

Avi will help support the day-to-day success of our academic programs and the experiences of our students and faculty. He will work across the academic team to support program operations, communications, recruitment and student engagement, and academic events and initiatives, while helping keep our work organized, collaborative, and running smoothly.

Please join us in giving Avi a warm Spertus welcome!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/avi-shapira-090b99269?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios

Last week to apply! Apply now for the Executive MAJPS Cohort 10. spertus.edu/executive

Final Application Deadline is October 5. Cohort begins in late fall 2026.

Join the next cohort beginning in Fall 2026 of the Executive MA in Jewish Professional Studies – An 18-month accelerated degree for senior Jewish communal professionals, combining Jewish thought, strategic leadership, executive skills, and individualized coaching.

Apply now for the Executive MAJPS Cohort 10.
spertus.edu/executive

Cohort begins in late fall 2026 with reading and coursework. The first in-person seminar at Spertus is January 10-14, 2027.

Apply by October 5, 2026 – Final Application Deadline

Final Day to Apply! Conflicts of Interest Program:
—> https://www.spertus.edu/conflicts-of-interest

Learn more about the Conflicts of Interest program: https://www.spertus.edu/conflicts-of-interest/

Apply now to meet the moment! Join Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership’s inaugural Conflicts of Interest cohort, designed to empower Jewish educators and leaders to engage more effectively with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in their classrooms and communities.

Application deadline: September 25.
Apply now: https://spertus.populiweb.com/router/admissions/onlineapplications/index?application_form=77

Spertus is excited to welcome Erika Vogel as our new Managing Director of Israel Initiatives and Conflict Education. Erika brings more than a decade of experience in Israel education to Spertus, where she’ll help lead the next chapter of Conflicts of Interest and expand our work preparing Jewish educators and communal leaders to engage thoughtfully with Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Why Spertus? Why now? And what’s ahead?
Meet Erika and learn more about the work she’ll be advancing
—> https://www.spertus.edu/welcome-erika-vogel

Apply Now! Conflicts of Interest Program:
—> https://www.spertus.edu/conflicts-of-interest

Shana Tova! The Jewish New Year is a time for reflection, renewal, and imagining what comes next. As we welcome a new year, Spertus is also celebrating a new chapter—and a new leader helping to shape it!

Get to know Rabbi Dr. Tali Zelkowicz, Spertus Institute’s New Dean of Jewish Leadership here! https://www.spertus.edu/meet-tali-zelkowicz

Columbus Jewish News article: “Spertus names Zelkowicz
Dean of Jewish Leadership." https://www.columbusjewishnews.com/news/local_news/spertus-names-zelkowicz-dean-of-jewish-leadership/article_1a730176-42a8-4eaa-bed1-1d45663decc4.html

Our team is beaming with pride to celebrate two of our local Alumni as 2026 Award Honorees at Jewish Federation of Chicago's 2026 Annual Meeting today!

Mazel Tov to MA in Jewish Professional Studies (MAJPS) Alum, Naomi Looper, BBYO Midwest Community Director, for being awarded the Samuel A. Goldsmith Young Professional Award. The Award is presented each year at this time to a young person under 40 who has served with professional distinction in a Jewish communal agency in the metropolitan Chicago area for a period of one to five years. It recognizes and sustains the qualities of dedication and devotion to the Jewish community and the Jewish people, which marked Samuel A. Goldsmith’s outstanding career.

Mazel Tov to Leadership Certificate in Combating Antisemitism for Lay Leaders (LCCA LL) alum, Marc Karlinsky, for being awarded The Davis, Gidwitz & Glasser Young Leadership Award. Marc is a writer and editor in marketing for the Commercial & Investment Bank at J.P. Morgan, where he is a leader in the firmwide Allies Against Antisemitism employee group and has served JUF for many years. This award honors young leaders who represent an ideal of dedication and service to the Jewish community with the Chicago Jewish community’s Young Leadership Award. This award is presented in recognition of outstanding communal service and devotion to the causes that comprise the Jewish Federation.

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Jewish United Fund of Chicago - JUF
Naomi Looper
BBYO Great Midwest Region