Local Synagogue Leaders Learn the Tools of Change

President John F. Kennedy famously said, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” With the desire to help shape the direction of contemporary Jewish life very much in mind, members of Swampscott’s Congregation Shirat Hayam (CSH) recently joined congregants of three other Boston area synagogues to learn tools and strategies necessary for managing change as participants in Combined Jewish Philanthropies’ (CJP) Leadership Development Institute (LDI). And the experience has yielded powerful results for its participants.

The LDI’s intensive seven-session workshop focuses on developing the leadership skills of lay leaders and professionals in Jewish institutions. Using Jewish education as the context, participants explore their commonalities and the values of their organizations. According to LDI Director David Trietsch, the workshop uniquely integrates Jewish resources, best practices from business schools and industry, and practical tools. “Building and deepening relationships is at the core of synagogue engagement. During the course of the LDI seminar, leadership teams within and across congregations get to share their common experiences, challenges and dreams for a vibrant Jewish future,” says Trietsch.

Attending LDI from the North Shore were Andy Caplan, Chair of CSH’s Board of Directors; Jennifer Bookman; Mikaela Levine; Joe Selby and CSH staff members Rabbi Baruch HaLevi, Cantor Elana Rozenfeld, Education Director Jed Filler and CEO Bob Krentzman. Following the workshop Caplan noted that “the training taught us how to develop mission and vision statements, and gave us ideas and resources to become more effective as leaders trying to achieve our goals. These are skills that we can apply not only to the topic of Jewish education, but to everything we do as synagogue leaders—and in our daily lives as well.”

Trietsch hopes that the LDI experience, which was jointly funded with the Jewish Federation of the North Shore (JFNS), can be expanded to other North Shore Jewish organizations. “As we approach the merger of CJP and JFNS, we are looking forward to developing relationships and being a resource for bringing about positive change. We have a very strong track record working with partner agencies and synagogues. With so many dynamic, committed people eager to engage in conversation about the future of Jewish life, we are excited to be a part of ensuring the strength and vibrancy of a great community.”