In this section:
Step 1: Intent to Apply
Step 2: Application
Applications for Cohort V are open until June 15th, 2023. The program will launch in January of 2024.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants must have at least six years of professional experience and currently be employed by a Jewish nonprofit organization in the United States or Canada. Such nonprofits include, but are not limited to, federations, JCCs, JCRCs, Hillels, human services agencies, social action organizations, advocacy groups, private foundations and start-ups of all types.
Successful candidates will have a wide range of current titles and professional roles including, for example, programming, fundraising, operations, advocacy and leadership development. Successful candidates will share in common the aspiration to move into executive leadership roles of increasing scope and responsibility.
The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation offers a number of programs to develop leadership for Jewish communities in the United States and Canada. Jewish educators are encouraged to explore the Educational Leadership Program and the Mandel Teacher-Educator Institute (MTEI). Artists and cultural producers are encouraged to explore the Cultural Leadership Program.
FAQs
The Executive Leadership Program enables outstanding midcareer professionals to sharpen their guiding visions of Jewish communal life and strengthen their leadership and management skills. With attention to practice, the program features cohort learning and individual mentoring.
An admissions committee drawn from the Mandel Institute’s faculty, staff and consultants makes admissions decisions.
Finalists will be invited to prepare an additional essay, arrange a letter of reference, and schedule an interview with the admissions committee.
Finalists will be assessed in relation to the following criteria:
- Track record of leadership
- Intellect and creativity
- High ethical standards
- Passion for Jewish communal life
- On-track for executive leadership of an organization of any size, or senior leadership role in a large organization
With these criteria in mind, the admissions committee seeks to create a cohort that represents the diversity of the Jewish community.
Generally, yes. The program prepares fellows for executive leadership of increasing scope and responsibility. CEOs or Executive Directors of small and mid-sized organizations are invited to apply to the program.
If you applied in the past, you are welcome to apply again. We do not provide feedback concerning previous admissions rounds, as all deliberations by admissions committees are confidential. A new admissions committee is created for every Executive Leadership Program cohort. Each admissions committee deliberates independently on every application, so repeat applicants are neither advantaged nor disadvantaged. If you have applied more than once in the past, we recommend that you consider waiting to submit a new application until there is a significant change in your professional role.
- Lead with vision and values
- Incorporate research to analyze community opportunities and challenges
- Draw on Jewish thought to envision and communicate organizational purposes
- Build organizational strategies aligned with core purposes
- Manage organizational finances and governance
The program employs a wide range of learning modalities, including:
- Lectures and small group discussions
- Case studies and group inquiry projects
- Site visits and walking tours
- Peer-led practice groups and peer coaching
- Journaling and group integration sessions
- Individual learning with a mentor
Fellows must attend all four seminars in their entirety. Between seminars, fellows continue their learning by video conference and individually with a mentor. The typical time commitment for online sessions between seminars is 3-5 hours per month.
Sponsoring organizations approve release time for fellows to join the program’s four seminars.
- Seminar I: Boston – January 7 – 11, 2024
- Seminar II: Israel – May 28 – June 4, 2024
- Seminar III: Boston – October 27 – 31, 2024
- Seminar IV: Boston – June 8-12, 2025
The Mandel Institute covers travel and program expenses, except for ground transportation and meals during travel. Sponsoring organizations provide release time for participation in the seminars.
All participants must be fully vaccinated and boosted (as defined by the CDC), unless exempt from vaccination for medical reasons.
Applications for Cohort V are due on June 15th, 2023. Applicants will then be informed of their application status by the middle of July.
Fellows who are nursing a baby may bring the baby to seminars if they choose. We can help to provide a babysitter in order to allow the fellow to still participate at their best. For fellows who do not bring their baby and need to pump, we can provide assistance for breast milk shipping via Milk Stork.
No, you do not have to be Jewish to apply for the program. Any person who has at least six years of professional experience and currently employed by a Jewish nonprofit organization in the United States or Canada is invited to apply to the program.