Leadership Program – Moving Up to the Next Level
A unique and first-of-its-kind leadership initiative for Israelis who are first- or second-generation immigrants from the former USSR, the program was created in collaboration with the Herzog Center for Progressive Judaism, the New York Federation and the Directorate for Israeli Jewry.
The 12-session program took place at ANU museum and included meetings with cultural figures, journalists, agents of change and included a tour of the museum. The goal of the program was to bring together fifteen agents of change who are from the Russian-speaking Israeli community to work together toward the recognition and development of their unique culture.
As part of the program, the fellows studied three different identity divisions: Jewish-Soviet, early Jewish-Israeli, and contemporary Jewish-Israeli, with the aim of integrating these identities within the Israeli context in which they live and work.
The program started in December 2023, with content specifically adapted for Israel in the wake of the October 7th events. By the end of the program, 11 final projects were developed to promote Soviet Israeli heritage and identity in the public sphere. These projects were presented to a committee, which included a representative from the foundation. Each project received a grant ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 NIS to support its implementation.
