Sessions for this NGF touched upon a wide range of issues addressed by communities around the world, including:
Currents in Contemporary Jewish Thought
Re-defining Zionism: The Changing Relationship Between Israel and the Diaspora
Models of Biblical Leadership – Joseph and His Brothers: A Study of Human Change; Saul and Jonathan: Two, Approaches to the Common People
Jewish Religious Responses to the Shoah
Jewish Civilization 50 Years After the Shoah
The Challenges and Responsibilities of Jewish Leadership in the 21st Century

Fellows also had the opportunity to lead workshops and discussion groups, ranging from topics such as: Antisemitism and Anti-Israel  Activity in the Non-Jewish Community and What Can We Learn From One Another?

The thoughtful and passionate engagement of Fellows was made possible by the distinguished faculty present, which once again reflected the high academic standards of the NGF:

Dr. Steven Bayme, American Jewish Committee, New York, NY, USA
Professor Arnold Eisen, Koshland Professor of Jewish Culture and Religion, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Professor Benjamin Ish-Shalom, Rector of Beit Morasha, Jerusalem, Israel
Professor Steve Katz, Founding Director of the Elie Wiesel Center for Judaic Studies, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA

Dr. Rina Rosenberg, Private Psychologist, Jerusalem, Israel
Professor Shalom Rosenberg, Professor at Department of Jewish Thought, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
Professor Uriel Simon, Professor at Department of Bible, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel

One of the highlights of this NGF was a panel discussion held during Shabbat entitled Raising Jewish Consciousness. In this panel, two Fellows and two faculty members shared their reflections about Jewish life, and how they have been able to expand their own experiences as well as that of the members of their respective communities.

Another highlight of the program was the panel on Jewish leadership for the 21st century, which included both faculty and Fellows and explored the many leadership challenges and potential solutions from the various communities represented in the program. Fellows also had the opportunity to explore Melbourne and enjoy dinner with the Melbourne Jewish community.

The diversity of the Fellows and their joint commitment to Jewish work demonstrated that the global Jewish community remains committed to the ideals of Klal Yisrael through the advancement of Jewish communal growth and through strengthening of leadership and Jewish values across the world.

Marlo Newton, one of the Australian Fellows, spoke to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency about the impact of the program: “The program was astonishing. It’s the cutting edge of Jewish thinking.”