SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Creating meaningful experiences that engage young adults with the Jewish community is among Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ’s most important priorities. It’s part of a broader vision for a vibrant collective Jewish present and future. And, thanks to an effort led by The Jewish Federations of North America, this work with young adults in their 20s and 30s will advance further.
Selected through a competitive application and interview process, Rena Abrams of South Orange, who serves as the MetroWest Federation’s young leadership division director, has been named a Next Gen Jewish Federation Fellow. The 18-month comprehensive program, made possible by the Jim Joseph Foundation, offers participants the tools and training they need to lead this critically important work. Joining forces for the first time, JFNA has brought together the North Carolina-based Center for Creative Leadership and the Jerusalem-based M2: The Institute for Experiential Jewish Education to develop coursework and meaningful experiences that grow federation professionals’ leadership skills and connect them more deeply to Judaism. The new initiative will also position them as innovators and leaders in the Jewish Next Gen space.
“Rena’s acceptance to this exciting pilot program reflects her professional talent, potential and commitment to deepening her own Jewish enrichment and leadership skills while also participating in a community-of-practice with colleagues who share her interest in engaging the next gen actively and proudly in Jewish life and in federation,” said the federation’s director of outreach and engagement, Amy Biloon.
“Judaism is a part of every aspect of my life. I didn’t just walk into this — I ran — and maybe it is because it has never felt like work to me, but a way of life. I feel it is time to explore and continue to grow as a professional, taking the lessons I have learned over a few years in this role, and bringing myself to a new level of energy and success,” Abrams said of her selection. “As part of this generation, I’m excited to be able to participate in a program that really focuses on connecting young adults to their Jewish community.”
The fellowship will include leadership development, Jewish enrichment, coaching, mentoring and a supervised applied learning project. Fellows will participate in four face-to-face seminars, beginning in May, and will provide mentorship for two early career colleagues to help build capacity in the community and across the federation movement.
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