It was encouraging to learn from Stewart Ain’s article, “Future Shock?” (March 5), that at the highest levels of our community there has been an effort to address a looming challenge in the future leadership of the Jewish community in North America.
There are, however, some significant and relatively recent initiatives that are already working to address this very challenge. Specifically, three years ago, the Council of Young Jewish Presidents was formed to bring together the leaders of the Jewish young leadership groups in New York. The very existence of this council, which now proudly boasts more than 25 member organizations, runs counter to many of the assumptions made in the study about the willingness of young leaders to step up to the plate.
In an effort to ensure that these leaders (ranging in age from 22-38) are stimulated, engaged and prepared for the challenges facing our community, the council provides these leaders with a forum to grapple with and explore the issues facing the Jewish people as well as the skills and leadership training necessary to successfully pick up the reins of leadership.
Bram Weber, Chairman
Zoya Raynes Friedman,
Treasurer
Hindy Poupko,
Executive Director,
Council of Young
Jewish Presidents
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