This past weekend, Yavneh’s LEAD (Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Activism, Dream) Fellowship, a program of JLIC, hosted its first-ever Shabbaton, bringing together 15 exceptional student leaders from across North America. Held on January 24-25, 2025, the event was a vibrant celebration of Jewish leadership and potential, set against the backdrop of New York City’s Upper West Side.
The LEAD Fellowship is a unique initiative designed to build on students’ leadership skills developed in their first year of the Yavneh Fellowship. It aims to create a group of like-minded individuals while customizing the experience to the cohort’s unique interests and aspirations. With four core values – Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Activism, and Dream – the program seeks to equip young Jewish leaders with the skills to address current challenges facing their communities.
The weekend was uniquely crafted to empower the next generation of Jewish community leaders, with students taking center stage in every aspect of the programming. From delivering divrei Torah to leading shiurim, the LEAD fellows showcased their remarkable talents and deep commitment to Jewish learning and leadership.
Tal Ershler, who runs the LEAD program, shared his excitement about the carefully selected group of participants: “These fellows were chosen not just for who they are today, but for their incredible potential to shape the future of our Jewish community. Each one represents a unique blend of passion, intellect, and leadership that gives us hope for tomorrow’s Jewish landscape.”
The Shabbaton was packed with meaningful experiences. Students explored entrepreneurial thinking during a dedicated session focused on campus innovation, demonstrating their creativity and forward-thinking approach. The weekend balanced serious leadership development with moments of pure joy – highlighted by a spirited Saturday night ping pong extravaganza that brought the group together in laughter and friendly competition.
Participants came from a diverse range of schools, including Brandeis, Johns Hopkins, McMaster University, Muhlenberg College, Queens College, Toronto Metropolitan University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Yeshiva University, and John Jay. This geographic and academic diversity underscored the program’s commitment to nurturing leadership across different Jewish communities.
Memorable moments included intimate learning sessions, shared meals, and opportunities for deep connection. From the Friday night ice breaker to the Parsha shiur and multiple divrei Torah throughout Shabbat, every moment was designed to inspire and connect these emerging leaders.
As the weekend concluded with a pizza Melave Malka, it was clear that Yavneh LEAD had created something special – a transformative experience that will undoubtedly ripple through these students’ lives and the broader Jewish community for years to come.
The future of Jewish leadership looks bright, and we can’t wait to see what these incredible young leaders will accomplish next, embodying the LEAD Fellowship’s core values of Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Activism, and Dream.
Reach out to any of our Directors to learn more about and to support JLIC and our programming.
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