"The NGF Network Leadership Seminar has enhanced my connection to a global network of Jewish leaders and created a strong bond between powerful change-makers.”
Craig Nudelman, Australia, Cohort 5
The NGF Network Leadership Seminar is an extraordinary opportunity for members of the NGF Network to cultivate their individual Jewish leadership identity in the context of a global cohort. Participants study with preeminent NGF Faculty, contemplate fundamental questions from within our texts and ethical traditions, and deepen and expand connections across the NGF Network.
Through critical thinking, understanding of Jewish ideas and values, and connection to peers and faculty, NGF Leadership Seminar Fellows cultivate a desire for and capacity to lead meaningfully. The program includes explorations of leadership of the self, leadership of the organization, and leadership of the community.
Leadership Seminar highlights include:
- Monthly online sessions taught by NGF Faculty (12- 90 minute sessions beginning March 2024 – February 2025)
- Participation in the 34th International Nahum Goldmann Fellowship in Stellenbosch, South Africa, August 25 – September 1, 2024
- Creating an individual Lesson in Leadership highlighting a leadership project
Hear more from Cohort 5 about their experience in the Leadership Seminar
FACULTY
Successful applicants will have the opportunity of working closely with a global faculty that includes:
Prof. Steven Windmueller | USA
Steven Windmueller is the Emeritus Professor of Jewish Communal Studies at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Los Angeles and is a leading expert on the subject of Jewish politics and the author of several articles, publications, and books, which includes The Quest for Power, a Study in Jewish Political Behavior and Practice published in 2014.
Prof. Daniel Fainstein | Mexico
Danny Fainstein is dean and professor of Jewish Studies and Education at the Hebraica University in Mexico City. He was educated in Buenos Aires, Jerusalem, and the National Autonomous University of Mexico where he received his PhD. He served as dean of the Latin American Rabbinic Seminary MT Meyer, was the executive director of the Board of Jewish Education of Argentina, and is currently a visiting professor and lecturer in many institutions in Latin America, Europe, the United States and Israel.
Rabbi Dr. Rachel Sabath Beit Halachmi | USA/Israel
Rachel Sabath Beit Halachmi is an American-Israeli leader, author, and public speaker, and the inaugural senior rabbi at Har Sinai-Oheb Shalom Congregation in Baltimore. Ordained at Hebrew Union College-Jewishn Institute of Religion in New York, Rabbi Sabath also holds a doctorate from the Jewish Theological Seminary. She teaches Jewish leaders around the world through the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture and the Kaplan Center for Jewish Peoplehood.
Dr. Channa Pinchasi | Israel
Channa Pinchasi is a research fellow at the Kogod Research Center for Contemporary Jewish Thought at the Shalom Hartman Institute. In addition, Channa leads and facilitates think tanks at the “Center for Judaism and State Policy.” She initiated and directs “Cheder Mishelach 2.0”, a leadership program for religious feminists.
ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTS
Please follow the link below to read about program eligibility and how to apply.
The application is open to any member of the NGF Network between the ages 30 and 50, who has attended an in-person International Nahum Goldmann Fellowship prior to 2020. Cohorts 1 – 4 of the NGF Leadership Seminar are also invited to apply. Cohorts 5 and 6 are not eligible to apply. Because of our deep commitment to diversity and inclusion, we are seeking candidates from all sectors of the Jewish community who also represent a broad range of community affiliations, volunteer positions, denominations, and identities.
To apply you must also:
- Have the ability to commit to at least 80% of the program (10 out of 12 online sessions).
- Have capacity to put your learning into practice by implementing new ideas within your leadership approach and organization; and
- Be open to cross-communal and inter-organizational partnerships, endeavors and projects for the benefit of your local community.
Requirements:
- Participants must be able to attend the 34th International NGF taking place in Stellenbosch, South Africa from August 25 – September 1, 2024.
- Participants will be expected to produce a ‘Lesson in Leadership’ on completion of the Program. More information about this can be found in FAQs.
Characteristics of successful candidates include:
- Interest in Jewish texts and Jewish wisdom
- Desire to engage with big ideas about global Jewish leadership
- Emotional intelligence, curiosity, intellect, creativity, and self-reflectiveness
- Capacity for forging connections and creating networks that serve the Jewish community as a whole
- Ages 30 – 50
FAQs
What time are the sessions?
The 12-month hybrid program includes 12 virtual sessions and participation in the week-long 34th International NGF in Stellenbosch, South Africa from August 25 – September 1, 2024. Monthly online sessions will be held on the third Thursday of each month beginning on March 21, 2024, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm ET.
What if the times are not convenient for my time zone?
We know that the online times will not be ideal for all members of the Network. We have made every attempt to accommodate our truly global community, taking time zones and daylight savings into consideration. Participants must commit to at least 80% of the virtual program (10 out of 12 online sessions).
When are applications due?
Applications must be submitted by no later than 5 pm ET on Monday, February 5th, 2024. Applicants will be notified of their status by no later than Friday, February 23rd, 2024.
How many participants will be selected?
The cohort will consist of 10 – 12 participants.
How will admission decisions be made?
An MFJC review board will oversee the selection process. Selection will be based on the substance of the application, including the video clip, and will take into account the global diversity of the NGF Network.
What is expected of successful applicants?
Participants in the NGF Leadership Seminar will be expected to:
- Participate in 10 out of 12 online sessions
- Attend the 34th International NGF in Stellenbosch, South Africa from August 25 – September 1, 2024
- Produce a ‘Lesson in Leadership’ on completion of the program
- Exercise leadership within the NGF Network
Do I have to have a strong background in Jewish texts to join the program?
No prior knowledge of texts is required for the NGF Leadership Seminar. The curriculum has been designed to take into account the diversity in text familiarity that exists within the NGF Network.
Do I have to have to have taken a past leadership course or seminar to apply?
No. The NGF Leadership Seminar understands that not every Jewish leader sits in a formal leadership position and we all lead in our own way.
What is the program format?
The online component of the program intersperses faculty-led learning with community-based and peer-led engagement and discussion. At the International NGF in Stellenbosch, participants in the Leadership Seminar will arrive a day earlier for a special Leadership Seminar component, whereafter they will join the new Fellows as part of the NGF itself. Leadership Seminar participants will be given opportunities to lead during the course of the NGF.
What is the cost of the program?
All program related expenses, including accommodation, meals and ground transportation to NGF 34 in Stellenbosch are covered in full. Leadership Seminar participants will also receive a $750 subsidy towards their air travel.
What is ‘Lessons in Leadership’?
A ‘Lesson in Leadership’ impact project consists of using your experience in the NGF Leadership Seminar to develop and execute a project, program, or lesson to enrich your local community or organization, or to advance your personal leadership journey. A final project might be: facilitating a text study on one aspect of Jewish leadership; creating a presentation on one’s personal leadership journey and sharing to inspire others.
Pamela Alcala
Pam was born in Chile but now makes Long Island, NY her home. She holds a Master’s in Social Work from Adelphi University. Her specialty is leadership development and Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training. She believes that leadership and Jewish education must start at a young age, and that investment in future generations will make a significant difference in the continuity of our Jewish spaces and traditions.
Pam was in Cohort 5 of the NGF Leadership Seminar. Watch her Lesson in Leadership "Text Beyond the Study."
Nelly Altenburger
Rabbi Nelly Altenburger is the spiritual leader of Congregation Adath Israel in Middletown, CT, USA. Originally from Brazil, she received a BA in Hebrew Language and Literature from the University of São Paulo and a MA in Rabbinic Studies in 2004 from the Ziegler School. She was ordained in 2006. Prior to joining Adath Israel, she was the Rabbi and Religious School Director at Congregation B’nai Israel in Danbury, CT for fourteen years. The concepts of peoplehood and inclusion are fundamental to how Nelly sees Judaism unfolding and surviving into the 21st century. Nelly attended NGF 6 in Brazil and is part of Cohort 6 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar.
Adrián Assalas-Lederman
Adrián, from Montevideo, Uruguay has just moved from Lima Peru to live in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Adrián is about to complete a Master’s degree in Jewish Non-Profit Management from Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles, California. Currently, he works as a business development manager for a technology company. Adrián enjoys learning about technology, business, finance and Judaism.
Adrian was in Cohort 5 of the NGF Leadership Seminar. Watch his Lesson in Leadership "Jewdemy."
Iona Bacht
Iona is from São Paulo, Brazil. She holds a Master’s degree in Law and is employed in the pharmaceutical industry. Iona has been working primarily with youth and young adults, and since 2019 has been the Youth Director of her Conservative congregation. She was heavily involved in the youth movement NOAM and spent a gap year in Israel on Shnat Hachshara in 2019.
Iona was in Cohort 5 of the NGF Leadership Seminar. Watch her Lesson in Leadership "How To Engage Youth."
Ran Bar-Yoshafat
Ran holds a law degree from Hebrew University, Jerusalem, an MBA from Tel-Aviv University, an MA from Haifa University and is currently working on a Ph.D. in History. He is the Deputy Director of Kohelet Policy Forum and has conducted numerous Israel - advocacy speaking tours in the United States. He is the author of two books. Among other organizations, he has worked for The Israeli Jewish Congress, the Legal Department of the Knesset and MASA. Ran is an alumnus of the regional NGF in Israel in 2011 and Cohort 2 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar.
Irina Belskaia
Irina, from Belarus, holds a Master's in Jewish Education from Leo Baeck College, London. She works for the Union for Progressive Judaism in Belarus, overseeing their educational programs. Irina is the coauthor and editor of various Jewish themed books for children. She is a member of Belarus Limmud FSU's organizing committee and is also very involved in organizing her community's celebrations of Jewish holidays. Irina is an alumna of various Nahum Goldmann Fellowship programs and of Cohort 1 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar.
Zhanna Beyl
Zhanna is a dynamic Jewish communal professional skilled in program and fund development, motivational supervision, and strategic planning. Originally from Moscow, Russia, Zhanna emigrated to the United States as a teenager. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston University and her MSW from Hunter Graduate School of Social Work. Currently, Zhanna works for Reclaiming Judaism. Zhanna is also a part-time psychotherapist at the Jewish Board and the co-founder of AriSafari, Inc., an educational entertainment company. A lifelong Limmudnik, Zhanna chaired last year's Limmud FSU NY Program Committee. She is a proud alumna of the Nahum Goldmann Fellowships in Israel (2009), in Canada (2011) and in Mexico (2016) as well as Cohort 1 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar.
David Brom
Dovi is currently studying Law at the University of South Africa. Previously he was a consultant for the South African Board of Jewish Education on informal Jewish education. In the past he was involved in youth leadership seminars in South Africa and Israel as well as with Bnei Akiva and the South African Union of Jewish Students. He currently heads up Justifi's South African operations. Dovi is an alumnus of Nahum Goldmann Fellowship 27 and Cohort 1 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar.
Efraim Chalamish
Efraim received his Doctorate in international economic law from the University of Michigan, and currently is teaching at New York University Law School and IESE Business School. He is also a Senior Advisor to Duff and Phelps. Efraim is a contributor and commentator with several leading media platforms, such as Global Finance and the Jerusalem Post. He is involved in public service and diplomacy, helping various nonprofit organizations with their strategic thinking and leadership needs, and is a frequent guest speaker at many international organizations, communities, and universities. Efraim is an alumnus of NGF 27 in Israel and Cohort 1 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar.
Gabriel Cohen Henriquez
Gabriel, from Panama, owns a label-manufacturing business. He also manages an investment portfolio. In addition to his professional pursuits, Gabriel is an avid yoga practitioner with over 25 years of experience. Gabriel is active in his community. He serves as a Board member of the Isaac Rabin school and as a member of the Jewish Diplomatic Corps of the World Jewish Congress. Gabriel is a past President of the B’nai B’rith Carlos Zelenka chapter. In his free time, he enjoys reading, kitesurfing, hiking and traveling.
Gabriel lives in Panama City with his wife and son.
Haris Dajc
Haris is a professor of History at the University of Belgrade.He is involved with the Federation of Jewish Communities of Serbia and the Belgrade Jewish Community.The Serbian government has appointed Haris its representative and Chairman of the Supervisory Board for Jewish Restitution Law.He holds a Ph.D. in History from the Univ. of Belgrade.
Lance Davis
Lance lives in Toronto and serves as the CEO of the Jewish National Fund of Canada. He has worked in the field of Jewish communal service for over 25 years in a variety of areas including informal education, leadership development and fundraising. Lance has degrees in Jewish Studies, International Relations, and Jewish Communal Service. He was awarded a doctoral fellowship from the University of Toronto where he focused on Modern Jewish Thought, in particular, pluralism and the work of Rabbi Yitz Greenberg. Lance is passionate about Israel and has visited more than 60 times since his first trip in 1986.
Lance was in Cohort 5 of the NGF Leadership Seminar. Watch his Lesson in Leadership "Leaders Learn."
Ryan Davis
Ryan lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he grew up in a proudly Jewish family and held leadership roles in a youth movement. He is a people development consultant and coach, and founded Next Peak, partnering with diverse global organizations and communities, advising, designing, and implementing innovative solutions that enhance performance. He volunteers in various non-profits focused on education, sustainable impact, international development, and leadership. He recently co-chaired Limmud Johannesburg and sits on Limmud’s National Executive. Ryan graduated from UPenn with a Certificate in Social Impact Strategy and participated in the Global Social Impact House Fellowship.
Rosella de Jong
Rosella, originally from the Netherlands, now lives in London where she is a full time Language and Literature teacher. Currently, she is finishing her Master's in Child, Adolescent, and Family Therapy. Prior to this she studied a number of languages and received degrees in Film and Television Studies; Italian; Literature and Psychoanalytic Studies. She has presented at Limmud and sits on the board of Moos!.
Ellie Dellingr
Ellie, from the United Kingdom, served as an officer in the Armed Forces for 11 years and has spent the last 13 years using those skills as a volunteer on an emergency disaster response team. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in engineering from the Royal Military College of Science. After taking a career 'shmita year' Ellie is moving into academia to formalize research in behavioral decision making in high stress situations, with an ultimate focus of studying courage as an opponent to rising antisemitism. Ellie attended NGF 28 in Mexico and NGF 32 in France as a member of Cohort 5 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar.
Ellie was in Cohort 5 of the NGF Leadership Seminar. Watch her Lesson in Leadership "Increasing Female Inclusivity in Jewish Life."
Guido Dercauttan
In 2019, Guido received an NGF Network Grant for his project Expo Diversidad.
Michael Freedman
Michael is an occasional writer and podcaster, full-time analogue nomad and investor. He previously led efforts to bridge the gap between Israel and the Diaspora by adding investment as a third strategy alongside philanthropy and advocacy. He is now taking an indefinite sabbatical to recover from this!. Michael attended International NGF 26 in Uruguay and NGF 28 in Germany as a participant in Cohort 3 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar.
Shelly Freeman
Shelly holds a degree in Law and Economics from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. She is currently the Chief of Staff at the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research in Manhattan. At YIVO, Shelly works closely with the CEO on a number of special projects including YIVO’s online museum, developing relationships with other aligned organizations around the world including the UN, and communications and media.
Eric Fusfield
Eric is the Deputy Director of the B'nai B'rith International Center for Human Rights and Public Policy and also serves as its Director of Legislative Affairs. He formulates and promotes B'nai B'rith's agenda on Capitol Hill and represents the agency before numerous political entities. An attorney formerly in private practice, he holds degrees from Columbia University (B.A. in History), Oxford University (M.St. in Modern Jewish Studies), and American University (J.D./M.A. in Law and International Affairs). He has served on the Board of Directors of Agudas Achim Congregation and Beth El Hebrew Cong. both in Alexandria, Virginia. Eric is an alumnus of NGF 8 in Sweden and a regional NGF in Brazil in 2013, as well as Cohort 2 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar.
Jorge Gershon
Jorge, from Seville, Spain, organizes Jewish events and activities in Andalusia. He holds a diploma in Tourism from the University of Seville. Jorge is a leader in Beit Rambam - the Jewish community center of Seville. He is also active in the Spanish branch of ROI.
Sienna Girgenti
Sienna Girgenti is a high-impact strategist and relationship builder who is passionate about thoughtful convening. As network coordinator of the Nahum Goldmann Fellowship, she supports program development and engagement for more than 1,200 NGF Network members. In her full-time capacity as Director of the Meridian International Center for Diplomatic Engagement, Sienna is responsible for the design and execution of programs dedicated to strengthening and accelerating collaboration between the foreign diplomatic corps in Washington, DC and the U.S. public and private sectors. She has held positions across sectors, including within U.S. and foreign governments, private event management, and eight years at a Jewish communal organization—driving meaningful impact through advocacy, immersive education, and storytelling. Sienna holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the American University and resides in Washington, DC. Sienna participated in NGF 28, Cohort 3 of the Network Leadership Seminar at NGF 30, and served as the onsite coordinator for the U.S.A. Regional NGF.
Sarah Groner
Sarah Groner is the Partnerships and Resource Development Manager of JDC's Israel Unlimited. Sarah has built a career in the non-profit sector, where she has focused on communications, resource development and program management for social change organizations. She holds a Master's degree in Public Policy from Tel Aviv University and completed her Bachelor's degree in Social Work at Bar-Ilan University. Sarah is an alumna of NGF 26 in Uruguay and Cohort 3 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar in Germany.
Laura Hemlock-Schaeffer
Laura, a resident of Queens, New York, is a Project Manager for the Platelet Disorder Support Association, where she conducts advocacy and educational programs for people like herself living with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Prior to her current role, Laura spent 12+ years working in the Jewish non-profit space at organizations such as UJA-Federation of New York, BBYO, Hillel of Buffalo, and the Yeshiva Day Schools of Pittsburgh. Laura holds a Master’s in Education and a Bachelor's in Theater, both obtained at the University at Buffalo (go Bulls!). Outside of her professional life, Laura serves as Vice President of the Hillel of Buffalo Board of Directors. Laura participated in NGF 28 in Mexico and Cohort 5 of the Network Leadership Seminar at NGF 32 in France.
Laura was in Cohort 5 of the NGF Leadership Seminar. Watch her Lesson in Leadership "A New York City Zusha."
Karoline Henriques
Denmark native Karoline now lives in Jerusalem. She holds an MA in the Sociology of Religion from the University of Copenhagen. Karoline works as a political analyst. She is an informal consultant to the New York based 929 – Read Tanakh team and serves as a mentor to ROI programs. Karoline is an alumna of NGF 23, 25, 26 and the 2011 Israel Regional NGF.
Alex Kats
Alex, from Melbourne, works as the main researcher and writer of government white papers for his consultancy. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in management from Monash University. Alex has participated in Jewish international seminars and leadership programs in Belarus, Germany, Israel and India. He has lived in London, New York and Jerusalem as well as Sydney. In Melbourne, Alex is currently the Chair of the Council of Christians and Jews, a member of various multicultural networks, a member of a First Nations Committee, and a board member of March of the Living Australia.
Alex was in Cohort 5 of the NGF Leadership Seminar. Watch his Lesson in Leadership "Moses in the Modern Day."
Michael Kemerov
Michael from Belarus holds a Master's degree in Philology. He is the Executive Director of the Religious Union for Progressive Judaism in Belarus where he manages the activities of eleven religious congregations. Michael is the author of a book that was later made into a movie about the Jews of Grodno. He recently published an Encyclopedia for young adults. Michael is an alumnus of various Nahum Goldmann Fellowship programs and Cohort 1 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar.
David Krantz
David Krantz is the co-founder and president of Aytzim: Ecological Judaism. He is a National Science Foundation IGERT doctoral researcher and Wrigley fellow at Arizona State University's School of Sustainability. David is a member of: the board of the Interfaith Moral Action on Climate; the Interfaith Oceans founding team; and the American Zionist Movement cabinet. He holds three Master's degrees, including one in the field of Judaism and environmental policy. David is an alumnus of NGF 29 in Israel and Cohort 3 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar.
Neebashnee Kristnasamy
Neebashnee, from Cape Town, is a strategic program manager in the financial services industry.She holds a BA degree from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. She is involved with Limmud SA. Neebashnee is an alumna of the 2018 S.A. Regional NGF and NGF 29 as well as Cohort 4 of the Network Leadership Seminar.
Csaba Kurti
Csaba, from Hungary, studied at the University of Pecs, Faculty of Economics and Dennis Gabor College. He holds diplomas in Finance and Marketing and Computer Engineering. Csaba is the strategic director of the Hungarian Orthodox Jewish Community. He is also the director of JMPoint, a communications portal for non-profit Jewish organizations. Csaba is an alumnus of Nahum Goldmann Fellowship 24 in Warsaw and Cohort 1 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar.
Isaac Landes
Isaac, originally from the USA, now lives in Israel. He founded and directs the Classic Talmud Program at Yashrut, a liberal Orthodox Yeshiva in Jerusalem. Isaac studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion (the Gush) and completed the five-year Hesder program. He is working on a PhD in history at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Isaac is a fellow at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah’s Project Rikmah and organizes events for Abu Tor’s Young Families project. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife and two children
Yuri Leving
Yuri is a Professor of Russian, Eastern European Cinema and Holocaust Studies at Dalhousie University in Canada. He is a Jewish activist and a member of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East (SPME). Yuri earned a Ph.D. from Hebrew University and taught at George Washington University. Previously, he lived in Israel and served as a press secretary at the Ministry of Absorption. He is an alumnus of NGF 24 in Poland in 2012 and Cohort 2 of the NGF Leadership Seminar in Israel in 2017.
Rachel Levy
Rachel is a freelance journalist, editor, and author, working for Dutch and international media. Much of her work deals with Jewish affairs. Since 2023, she also works at the Dutch Ministry of Justice as Head of the Department for Jewish Spiritual Care for inmates in Dutch prisons and detention centers. Rachel currently serves as president of the orthodox Jewish community of Utrecht, the fourth largest city of the Netherlands.
Emilia Litman
Emilia, from Moscow, works at the Jewish Museum and Center for Tolerance. She holds a diploma in Psychology from the Moscow Humanitarian Institute. Emilia is a children’s book author and volunteers at the Lauder School in Moscow. Emilia participated in NGF 23 in Israel, the Limmud FSU Regional NGF held in Belarus. Emilia also attended NGF 33 in Israel as a member of Cohort 6 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar.
Claudio Mandler
Claudio was born in Santiago, Chile, in 1974. He emigrated with his family to Israel at the age of 12. After serving in the Nahal Brigade as a fighter during his whole military service, Claudio finished his B.A. degrees in History and General Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He worked with Jewish youth from Latin America - in short and long period educative programs in Israel - in The Israeli Experience, a subsidiary of the Jewish Agency. He was sent to Chile by the Hashomer Hatzair youth movement to work with the Santiago branch. There, he became member of the Meretz party branch, becoming President of the institution for several years. In 2018 he released his first documentary film - about Human Rights in Chile - the story of a family during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.
Nowadays he is working on other audio-visual projects and also trying to establish a new Jewish political group - with non-affiliated Jews from Santiago.
He is an alumnus of NGF Cuba and the Mexican NGF in 2016 and Cohort 1 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar.
Jonathan Marcus
Jonathan, from Germany, holds graduate degrees in Future Studies and Marketing. When not working in real estate, he is involved with Limmud in Germany and in other parts of Europe. Jonathan is an alumnus of NGF 30 in Germany
Nikki Marczak
Nikki from Brisbane, Australia works in the field of atrocity prevention in the Asia Pacific. This includes policy, advocacy and program development, research and writing, early warning and risk assessment, and partnership building. Nikki was co-editor of the Genocide Perspectives series and has contributed to a range of publications, including the Jewish Australian outlet Plus61J, and ABC Religion and Ethics. Nikki served on the Board of the National Council for Jewish Women Australia and remains chair of its Combatting Hate committee. As the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, she has been involved in many events and initiatives relating to Holocaust commemoration and education, including as keynote speaker.
Alon Meltzer
Alon Meltzer, a New Zealand native, has been involved in a number of communal organizations, including Bnei Akiva, AUJS, synagogue boards, and now serves as the rabbi of the Ohr Chadash Community in Sydney, Australia. He is highly engaged in political, diplomatic, and interfaith work and advocacy. Alon received rabbinical ordination from
Yeshiva University and holds M.S. degrees in Jewish History and Sociology. He is an alumnus of NGF 27, 28 and 29 and Cohort 1 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar. Alon has also served as the NGF 'Shabbat Co-ordinator' for several programs.
William Miller
William is the former Executive Vice President of the Jewish Community of Cuba. He is also the National Director of ORT-Cuba and is active in the Canada-Cuba Taglit/Birthright Israel program. William received a B.A. and M.Sc. in telecommunications from the Havana Technological Institute where he also teaches in its Micro-electronics Research center. William is an alumnus of various Nahum Goldmann Fellowship programs and Cohort 1 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar.
Joaquin Mirkin
Joaquin, from Buenos Aires, now lives in Madrid. He is the CEO of Mirkin Consulting Public Affairs, a consultancy studio which specializes in political and executive international coaching and in public affairs. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Buenos Aires and holds two Master's degrees in related fields. Joaquin is an advisor to the AJC on Spain and Latin American affairs.
Mira Niculescu
Dr. Mira Neshama Niculescu is a Paris -born scholar and teacher Jewish spirituality and meditation. She received her Doctorate in Sociology of Religion from the Ecole de Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales in Paris working on Jews and Buddhism in a global world. She learned Torah at the Drisha Institute for Jewish Studies in New York, at Matan and at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, where she earned a certificate of Experiential Jewish Education as a Yesod European Leader Fellow.
A certified Jewish Mindfulness Teacher from the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, she currently lives in Jerusalem where she learns as a rabbinic fellow at Beit Midrash Har’El, and teaches Torah and Jewish meditation for the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, Or HaLev, Applied Jewish Spirituality (AJS), and lectures as a Jewish Educator for Moishe House Europe and at various institutions internationally. She publishes regularly articles and online classes for French Jewish medias Akadem, Tenou’a, JewPop and L’Arche, and chairs the Academic Council of Roots, a West-Bank NGO aiming at bringing together Palestinians and Israelis for peace making through meaningful personal encounters.
Mira is an alumna of NGF 27 in Israel in 2015 and of Cohort 2 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar in 2017.
Eli Novershtern
Eli is a venture capitalist by vocation and a Jewish activist and lay leader by avocation. He currently serves as an active board member of the Reut Institute, Israel's leading think tank. Eli is also the Chairman of the Jewish Diplomatic Corps, a program of the World Jewish Congress, where he is a Governing Board Member. He holds Master's degrees from Harvard University and the London School of Economics. Eli is an alumnus of NGF 28 in Mexico and Cohort 2 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar in Israel in 2017.
Craig Nudelman
Craig is the Program and Development Manager at the Cape South African Jewish Board of Deputies and is also the director of Mother City Jewish Tours. Craig obtained his Master's degree in Justice and Transformation from University of Cape Town and his Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of South Africa.
Craig was in Cohort 5 of the NGF Leadership Seminar. Watch his Lesson in Leadership "Think Global, Act Local."
Eli Ovits
Eli, originally from London, now lives in Jerusalem where he serves as founder of Altruists - connecting Jewish leaders and philanthropists with meaningful causes. He has worked on every continent, helping connect communities, educators, and entrepreneurs. Committed to lifelong learning, Eli always seeks to explore new opportunities for collaboration - whether it be between the Abraham Accords countries and Israel, people of different faiths or political persuasion. Eli holds a Master’s degree in International Relations – Diplomacy from Hebrew University, Jerusalem.
Nico Riethmüller
In 2019, Nico received an NGF Network Grant for his project Expo Diversidad.
Gila Rockman
Gila is the Director of Service and Citizenship at Shalem College in Israel. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Bar Ilan University. Gila is an active board member of her community synagogue and the Afikim Family Enrichment Center. She co-founded the annual "Run4Afikim" - the world's longest charity relay-run. Gila is an alumna of NGF 25 in Israel.
Kateryna Roshchyna
With many years of experience in the non-profit world, Kateryna is now the Program Officer at World Jewish Relief in London and a co-founder of Ukraine Jewish Relief. She holds an M.A. in Foreign Philology. The organizations she is involved with include: The Livelihood Development Programme in Ukraine; Limmud FSU Europe Conference; Global Shapers Community and The World Economic Forum. Kateryna is an alumna of NGF 24 in Warsaw in 2012 and Cohort 2 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar.
Dani Rotstein
Dani Rotstein moved from New Jersey to the island of Majorca, Spain, in 2014. There, he learned of the taboo history of the Conversos of the island. In 2018, he founded Limud Mallorca and has run over 50 successful events promoting diversity and inclusion in the small, yet growing, Jewish community. During COVID he broadened the scope and now connects Jewish and non-Jewish guides all over the world with communities that are seeking quality virtual programming. His company’s mission is to offer an interactive learning experience that engages anyone and everyone interested in culture and history. In 2019 he produced and co-directed the documentary film Xueta Island (pronounced choo-weta) which has been making its way through many international film festivals in 2022. He is an alumna of various leadership and educational programs including networks such as NGF, Paideia, ROI, and Limmud. Dani attended NGF 29 in Israel and participated in Cohort 5 of the Network Leadership Seminar.
Dani was in Cohort 5 of the NGF Leadership Seminar. Watch his Lesson in Leadership "Re-Emerge."
Diana Selechnik
Diana Selechnik was born and raised in Guatemala City. She is a dentist, language consultant, and volunteer activist. Diana serves on the board of directors of several institutions in Guatemala, such as Keren Hayesod and Dor Hemshej. She is also an active member of several international Jewish organizations, such as the Jewish Diplomatic Corps of the World Jewish Congress, the New Generations Program of the Latin American Jewish Congress, and LAZOS LATAM. Diana is an alumna of NGF 28 in Mexico and Cohort 3 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar in Germany.
Melissa Shaw
Melissa, from New Hampshire, USA, is a facilitator who offers a unique consultancy based in the arts, social justice, diversity and inclusion, and social emotional learning. Melissa holds an M.F.A. from Sarah Lawrence College. She is a teaching artist and creative coach for various community-based organizations, including Community Word Project, Energize Your Voice, and the Lulu and Leo Fund. Melissa also facilitates a variety of anti-bias, anti-oppression, and anti-racist programs for the Anti-Defamation League and the New Jersey State Bar Foundation. She is the Arts and Communication Advisor for the Muslim Jewish Solidarity.
Melissa was in Cohort 5 of the NGF Leadership Seminar. Watch her Lesson in Leadership "Don't Let the Disagreement Scorch the Earth."
Aya Shechter
Aya, originally from Israel now lives in the USA. She is a dedicated leader in the Israeli American community with over 15 years of active involvement. She is the Chief Programming Officer of the Israeli American Council. Aya's academic journey began with a dual background in science and law, before transitioning into her role as a Jewish non-profit professional. She holds an Executive MA in Jewish Professional Studies. Aya is a Board member of Friends of Israeli Scouts and is passionate about community building. She lives with her husband and four children in California.
Nelli Shulman
Nelli holds a B.A. and M.A. in Hebrew and Jewish Studies from Leo Baeck College, London as well as a teaching degree in the Russian Language from Moscow State University. She was the Director of Education and Outreach at the World Union for Progressive Judaism in Minsk and Moscow. Recently she has concentrated on journalism and independent research in the areas of Holocaust, history of culture and the history of the Soviet Union. Nelli writes for a number of newspapers and magazines in Russia. She has authored four historical novels. Nelli is an alumna of NGF 16 in Sweden in 2005 and the European Regional NGF in Denmark in 2015, as well as Cohort 2 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar.
Leora Tarshish
Leora, originally from Cape Town, now lives in Kingston, Canada. She attended UCT for her undergraduate and honors degrees. Leora has held leadership roles within Netzer South Africa–a part of the Zionist Youth Movement, her local Progressive synagogue, Limmud South Africa and SAUJS. She helped found the first (and only) Moishe House in Cape Town where she resided for its first year. Leora is the campus director of Queen's University’s Jewish student community.
Wanda Teplitsky
Wanda, originally from Buenos Aires, now lives in Valencia, Spain. She works for the Masorti Community Aviv as a director and teacher as well as the coordinator of volunteers. Wanda is currently researching her PhD project on Cultural Heritage on Jewish life in Medieval Galicia, in north-west Spain. She is a member of the Board of Masorti Spain and Masorti Europe and likes traveling, both for work and pleasure. Her dream is to make the Jewish presence in Spain, past and present, better known and appreciated.
Wanda was in Cohort 5 of the NGF Leadership Seminar. Watch her Lesson in Leadership "Transitional Leadership in Masorti Europe."
Vivianne Tesone
Vivianne, from Colombia, is the Deputy Director of the Colombian Jewish Federation, the country’s umbrella organization of Jewish communities. She is also the editor of Hashavua online magazine. Vivianne holds a degree in Literature from the Universidad de los Andes, and master’s degrees in Journalism and Religions and Culture and Peace. She is a member of the Jewish Diplomatic Corps of the World Jewish Congress and has worked and volunteered with other Jewish organizations. Her focus is on interfaith initiatives, education, combating antisemitism, Holocaust remembrance, diplomacy, and advocacy.
Laurina Todesaite
Laurina Todesaite, from Lithuania, is an educator in the Shalom Aleichem ORT school in Vilnius. She earned Bachelor's degrees in Sociology, Anthropology and Education from Haifa University. Laurina founded #CookJewishBeJewish, an educational project which connects people and preserves Jewish heritage through Europe-wide culinary workshops and communal Jewish holiday celebrations. She is involved with ROI, Paideia and Limmud. Laurina is an alumna of NGF 27 in Israel and Cohort 3 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar in Germany.
Manny Waks
Manny Waks is the CEO of VoiCSA (formerly Kol v'Oz), an organization that addresses the issue of child sexual abuse in the Jewish community - he has been working in this field since 2011, both in Australia and globally. Manny has held numerous senior leadership positions in the Australian Jewish community, including as a vice-president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry. Manny was also an Assistant Director of the Office of Transport Security, an Australian Government counter-terrorism organization. Together with his family, he relocated to Israel in 2016 mainly to continue his work on his VoiCSA initiative. He holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from La Trobe University in Melbourne. Manny attended NGF 23 in Israel and NGF 28 in Mexico as part of Cohort 1 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar.
Tammy Weiss
Tammy, from Buenos Aires, is a lawyer. In addition to her law degree, she has degrees in Jewish and Judeo-American Studies, and Arabic, American-Arab and Islamic Studies. Tammy has been a volunteer for the World Zionist Organization and the Holocaust Museum. She was a member of the Board of Directors of the Argentine Zionist organization. Tammy now serves on the Board of the Association of Jewish Lawyers of the Argentine Republic. She collaborates with an initiative that distributes food to the homeless and lately with Jaialim del Asado, a group that makes barbecues for IDF soldiers.
Gilad Wiener
Gilad is the founder and director of a mediation company and lectures both in Israel and abroad on Jewish conflict resolution. He has a law degree from Bar Ilan University and is pursuing a Ph.D. there. He serves on the Board of Ein Prat Alumni Community and was the Director of Israel Operations for The Pardes Center for Judaism and Conflict Resolution. Gilad holds a research position at the Israel Democracy Center. He is an alumnus of a regional Nahum Goldmann Fellowship in Israel in 2011 and Cohort 1 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar.
David Wiseman
David Wiseman is a leader in digital branding and online reputation management. He is also the co-founder of Follow Team Israel, a page devoted to sharing the stories of Israeli and Jewish sports to the world. David attended NGF 13 in Australia and NGF 33 in Israel as a participant in Cohort 6 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar.
Shlomi Zaed
Shlomi, from Mexico, is a consultant in the insurance industry. He studied Torah and Philosophy at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. He volunteers in his local Jewish community as a teacher and financial analyst. Shlomi was raised and educated in a very religiously observant home, but right now he is exploring his own perspective of Judaism and discovering how to participate as a Jew in his Community, and in the world. Shlomi attended NGF 28 in Mexico and NGF 32 in France as a participant in Cohort 5 of the NGF Network Leadership Seminar.
Shlomi was in Cohort 5 of the NGF Leadership Seminar. Watch his Lesson in Leadership "Plant a Seed and Nourish What Is Already Planted."