As anti-Israel and antisemitic encampments spread across campus last spring, the safety of Jewish students on campus was increasingly threatened. Should Jewish students avoid attending schools where they may experience harassment and antagonism, or should they consider non-traditionally attended universities instead? What steps can the North American Jewish community take to ensure their well-being?

Speakers

Black and Jewish communities in the U.S. share a rich history of both partnership and tension. In the aftermath of October 7th, new challenges and opportunities arise for these relationships. This session will explore a 21st-century approach to Black-Jewish Relations and address the difficult conversations needed to advance solidarity, trust, and mutual understanding. Learn from leaders who are at the forefront of strengthening these vital connections.

Speaker

Israel is engaged in a multi-pronged fight both on the battlefield and also in the hearts and minds of influential leaders around the globe. Join us for a riveting session offering insights into the legal battles and political dynamics shaping Israel's global standing. Hear from American and Israeli military and legal experts on what international law says about IDF operations in Gaza and learn about the behind-the-scenes actions that American officials are taking to protect Israel off the battlefield.

Flourishing Jewish communities are characterized by a vibrant and thriving environment where everyone can access and celebrate Jewish life. New research shows that 20% of the North American Jewish community experiences financial vulnerability, with 18 to 35-year-olds disproportionately represented. By gaining deeper insights into their challenges and needs, we can raise awareness and invest in proven programs and interventions that foster equity and inclusion in Jewish life. This comprehensive session will dig into research findings and begin the communal conversation on how local communities, Jewish communal organizations, and funders can address how financial vulnerability can pose challenges to participation in Jewish life.

From college campuses to city councils to the ICC, the battle over Israel's legitimacy is raging, fueled by media bubbles and social media algorithms. We’re seeing some of the implications in how younger people, in particular, relate to Israel. The way our community talks about Israel, Zionism, Jewish identity, and antisemitism can have profound implications for public opinion and policy alike. In this session, you'll learn what's working and what's not as our community combats the insidious efforts to marginalize the Jewish state.

Join us to delve into the recent US presidential and congressional election results and their impact on the American Jewish community. This session will provide valuable insights into how changes in leadership and legislative priorities might influence Jewish communal life, advocacy efforts, and inter-communal relations across America. Engage in this critical discussion to understand the evolving political landscape and its relevance to our community.

Speaker

Description to Follow

Since October 7, Jewish communal life in North America has changed rapidly, with renewed concerns about feelings on security, antisemitism, and anti-Zionism and a related surge in Jewish engagement. Join us in hearing how Jewish communal organizations are experiencing and responding to this surge nationally and in our local communities. Consider what we can do to build on this to strengthen the Jewish future.

At a time of unprecedented challenges facing Israel and Israelis, it is more critical than ever that Israel is best positioned to achieve maximum success in all of its endeavors. This featured session will focus on the challenges and opportunities of ensuring that Israel benefits from and integrates women into Israeli government and society, as well as how Diaspora Jewry can support these efforts. Hear from women on the frontlines of strengthening and supporting Israel while working to change these dynamics in both the near and long term.

In an era of dynamic social change, understanding the modern Jewish family is more important than ever. This session delves into the findings from JFNA’s recent research into noteworthy family engagement program models across North America as well as those from the Jewish Family Today Study, to offer a comprehensive look at the shifting needs and aspirations of contemporary Jewish families. Together, we will explore the opportunities for innovation in the family engagement field and hear from leading experts and innovators on how to engage families in Jewish life. Join us for an enlightening conversation on how we can best support, inspire, connect, and empower Jewish families today.

The war against Hamas has profoundly impacted the Israeli economy, which has not been immune to the conflict’s devastating effects. With financial resilience still in decline a year after the Hamas attacks, how is the war affecting investment in the country? Is/how is anti-Zionism affecting Israel’s economy? And will Israel still be known as the Startup Nation once the war ends?

Join us for a special screening of Screams Before Silence, followed by a conversation about how to integrate the film into your community relations, advocacy, and educational efforts.

Explore the evolution of Jewish influence at the White House, focusing on how Jewish advisors have shaped policy-making in recent administrations through their roles and contributions. We will also delve into the future of Jewish influence in American politics, highlighting emerging trends and challenges. Our discussion will emphasize the importance of Jewish events hosted at the White House, such as the annual Chanukah party and other Jewish heritage celebrations, and their significance both to the Jewish community and to the broader public.

The dynamics of the war in Ukraine are complex and continually evolving. This session explores its impact on the Jewish community, the continuing humanitarian crisis, and the broader implications of this conflict. Experts will discuss the importance of sustained engagement and cooperation with experts and partners in addressing the war's challenges and how the North American Jewish community can continue to support the ongoing crisis.

Did 10/7 and the subsequent war push Christian support for Israel into freefall? What are the dynamics at play, and how can we reverse negative trends? This panel will bring together leading lights of Evangelical Christianity and pro-Israel advocacy to ensure and grow Christian alliances for Israel. The session will focus on strategies for reaching younger generations and will suggest how we can proactively engage Hispanic, Asian, and Black Christians.

Speakers

Jewish Federations' recent data demonstrates a surge of engagement in Jewish life. Within this current landscape, Jewish day schools are at a pivotal moment. This featured session will explore the intersection of affordability, academic excellence, and strategic marketing to capitalize on unprecedented interest and opportunity to welcome new families to day schools. The discussion will highlight the latest trends shaping the future of Jewish education and will showcase innovative approaches.

Midlife Jewish adults, age 55 and older, make up a quarter and the most significant surge of Jews who were previously not engaging with Jewish life before October 7 but who are now showing up in unprecedented numbers. Furthermore, a considerable percentage of donors who heeded the call to support Israel in the aftermath of October 7 fall in this demographic (69% of all donors). How can we respond to this skyrocketing demand to meet the needs and desires of midlife adults to (re)engage with Jewish life and meet the moment? Explore successful program innovations, ranging from local programs to immersive travel experiences, focused on giving midlife Jewish adults to navigate their purpose, explore transitions into new identities (career shifts, caregiving, grandparenting, and more), create friendships, and discover new community with others at a similar life stage for long-term engagement with Jewish life.

Speakers

The rise in antisemitism on social media platforms is a growing and urgent concern for the Jewish community. This session will delve into social media's unregulated nature, examine its societal impacts and prospects, and highlight the pressing need for robust federal regulations. Topics include social media's evolution and unchecked growth, the data-driven impact of antisemitism, and potential legislative actions Congress could take to address these issues.

This workshop provides a framework for leaders to expand their impact within their communities by fostering essential relationships and supporting community relations initiatives. The role of lay leadership in assisting Federations with establishing deep, meaningful relationships with leaders is indispensable in a post-October 7th world. Having lay leaders help Federations build meaningful, deep relationships with a select group of leaders in core areas is a must post-October 7th. Join us in conversation to establish the demographics, strategies, and best practices of relationship-building for the Jewish community.

Flourishing Jewish communities are safe, healthy, caring, engaged, and educated. They care for their members, are active in public affairs, and stay connected to Israel and the global Jewish world while fostering a sense of belonging for diverse populations. Across North America, communities are making strides toward achieving these qualities. Discover how to assess where your community stands on this journey and explore strategies that can drive meaningful progress. This session will share insights from data analysis and surveys used by communities of all sizes, highlighting best practices and revealing initial findings from a recent Federation pilot aimed at accelerating growth and success

Does your organization have a culture that promotes philanthropy? This workshop will share practical tips and strategies to help everyone in your organization, regardless of their organizational role, be part of financial resource development efforts. This workshop will feature case studies and examples from a range of organizations. Participants will leave inspired and equipped, feeling ready and confident to engage their colleagues and peers in fundraising.

Speaker

As Jewish life evolves in the 21st century, shifting demographic trends are redefining our social and cultural identities, reshaping how we perceive and measure communal belonging across schools, synagogues, Federations, and Jewish community centers. In the wake of the unprecedented surge in engagement since October 7th, we stand at a pivotal moment. This session will explore the pressing need to not only sustain this momentum but to actively foster a culture of belonging in which every individual’s unique gifts, talents, and perspectives are not just acknowledged, but celebrated. Join leading experts as we delve into innovative strategies for building an inclusive and thriving Jewish community that embraces the richness of our diversity and ensures a strong, united future.

Speaker

In today's climate, the Jewish community faces the dual challenge of ensuring safety while creating an inclusive environment for all members. This workshop delves into the complexities of safeguarding our community, focusing on the needs of those with marginalized identities. Led by leading experts in community security and inclusion, this workshop will equip organizations with strategies for implementing culturally competent safety protocols. Attendees will gain actionable insights on how to design and deploy security measures that are not just effective, but also sensitive to our community's diverse experiences. Join us to learn how to balance safety with belonging and leave empowered with the tools to foster a secure and welcoming environment for everyone.

In an increasingly polarized society, diversity work has often centered on issues like race and gender, but frequently overlooked are the skills needed to truly understand and engage with those who hold differing viewpoints. This session will explore why engaging with diverse perspectives can strengthen individuals and organizations and how to elevate the importance of viewpoint diversity while setting appropriate boundaries.

Jewish communal leadership has been made especially challenging by the crises, from COVID to post-October 7, that have occurred during the past few years. We have seen the demand for lay and professional approaches to leadership as governance has evolved. Explore the intersection of Jewish values and how they drive purposeful leadership through governance best practices, providing you with practical tools to lead in times of uncertainty. Focusing on Jewish concepts such as tzedek (justice), chesed (kindness), and emet (truth), learn ways to drive growth around the board table while also leveraging strong leadership and governance practices. Join us for an insightful journey into Jewish governance and its positive impact on fundraising, pipelining, and communal support.

Speaker

Jewish Federations across North America have raised billions to address emerging local and overseas needs, including over $800 million to support Israel and Israelis since October 7, at the same time as we are facing growing challenges and opportunities to Jewish life in North America. This session explores the challenges of juggling competing needs and priorities in philanthropy. How does this substantial support for Israel impact the scale of giving to other Jewish communities in need, including growing needs in North America? Is the surge in giving to Israel a fleeting trend, or does it signify a new norm? Participants will engage in a thought-provoking discussion on strategies for promoting philanthropic multi-tasking, both during emergencies and in routine philanthropy, to create a balanced approach that addresses diverse needs across the globe.

People working and volunteering in Jewish organizations are carrying heavy burdens as they guide their communities through relentless collective trauma while also managing their own personal traumas. This persistent stress has sparked conversations across op-eds, chat groups, and boardrooms, highlighting the urgent need for safer, more supportive work environments. This workshop, grounded in a person-centered, trauma-informed (PCTI) approach, will provide essential insights into how trauma affects our work and well-being. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to combat burnout and foster resilience for themselves and their colleagues.

As the Jewish community contends with what it means to live in our post-October 7th climate of skyrocketing antisemitism and a (re)newed desire to engage with Jewish life, it is our responsibility to understand the evolving needs of our Jewish future: our teens. Join us to explore the findings from leading teen-focused organizations, highlighting changes in teens' mental health, behavior, experiences with antisemitism, and evolving relationships with Israel. Experts will discuss the tools and resources needed to support teens and their families locally and as they prepare for postsecondary opportunities.

Speakers