The Jewish community is navigating deep internal divides, over Israel, politics, and the future of Jewish life, that test our shared sense of peoplehood. This session focuses on how Federations can intentionally cultivate cultures of belonging where all people feel seen, valued, and connected, even amidst profound ideological differences. Drawing on data and real-world examples, we’ll explore how identity, generation, and geography shape belonging today — and what leaders can do to strengthen connection across difference.  Participants will gain practical approaches to building organizations that hold complexity with empathy, foster trust amid disagreement, and make every person feel they have a place as they serve the Jewish Communal sector.  

Speakers

Jewish day schools are expensive. Participation in the United States is relatively low. Access is uneven. So why are our communities leaning in?  

In this session, Jewish Federations of North America’s President and CEO Eric Fingerhut and Chief Jewish Life Officer Sheila Katz will explore why Jewish day schools and early childhood education remain among the most powerful drivers of Jewish knowledge, leadership, and belonging, even in a high-cost, low-enrollment reality. The session will examine rising demand for deeper Jewish education, the limits of the current system, and what it would take to expand access at scale. 

Come ready to challenge assumptions, wrestle with real tradeoffs, and brainstorm what it would take to move this work forward in your community. 

Who should attend: Federation CEOs, senior professionals, education and planning leaders, finance professionals, and anyone skeptical of Jewish day schools or questioning whether they merit significant communal investment. 

Speakers

Israel has begun the long-term rebuilding process following October 7 and our communities have an important role in helping turn recovery into lasting resilience. Come explore Federation’s impact and a set of strategic tools and frameworks that can help you assess needs, identify credible partners, and navigate your role in times of crisis and beyond. Walk away with adaptable resources you can use right away to strengthen your work and respond more effectively to evolving needs on the ground. 

Speaker

Moderator

The Israel Emergency Campaign brought unprecedented engagement—introducing new donors to our work and inspiring significant increases from long-time supporters. Now, how do we intentionally steward that generosity and integrate it into a sustainable annual campaign strategy?

This session will explore how Federations can thoughtfully transition emergency campaign donors into ongoing annual giving, without losing urgency, trust, or momentum. Using real-life Federation examples and relevant research data, participants will examine donor motivations during moments of crisis and identify practical strategies for follow-up, segmentation, messaging, and solicitation.

Participants will walk away with:

• A clearer understanding of how emergency giving behaviors differ from traditional annual campaign giving
• Practical approaches for retaining new donors and upgrading existing ones after an emergency response
• Sample strategies for incorporating emergency gifts into annual campaign planning and forecasting
• Ideas for stewardship and communication that reinforce impact and deepen long-term donor relationships

This session is designed for all Federation professionals looking to turn short-term urgency into lasting community engagement.

Speakers

This session will use ‘Surge’ data to drive a conversation forward about the future of Israel Education & Engagement in our local communities. Israel remains a core facet of Jewish identity in North America, but the relationship between Jews in the Diaspora and Israel has come under new and extreme pressures since 10/7. Join us for a conversation that equips Federation leaders with the tools and insights to meet the needs of your communities. 

Participants will:

• Examine key data-driven shifts since October 7 and translate insights into practical guidance for Israel education and engagement. 
• Discover proven approaches for fostering authenticity and connection among diverse communities and young people navigating uncertainty. 

Speakers

What if integrated Federations and JCCs could unlock even greater impact—together? In this interactive session, leaders from integrated Federations will explore what’s working, what’s challenging, and what’s next for the JCC / Federation model. Through case studies, peer learning, and strategic reflection, participants will gain insights and tools to lead with clarity and confidence. 

Participants will discover best practices in integrated organizations and assess the strengths and growth areas of the integrated model. Leave with fresh ideas, peer-tested strategies, and a clearer path to maximizing the potential of your integrated Federation. 

This session is open only to Executive Leadership and C-Suite participants from integrated federations.  

Speaker

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming how organizations operate, communicate, and deliver impact. For Jewish Federations, AI presents a powerful opportunity to enhance community engagement, streamline operations, and amplify mission-driven work—when used thoughtfully and responsibly.  

This introductory workshop is designed specifically for Federation professionals across departments—development, marketing, planning, HR, IT, and beyond. It will demystify AI, showcase practical tools, and provide a clear framework for using AI safely, ethically, and in alignment with your Federation’s values and policies. Participants will leave with a foundational understanding of AI, real-world use cases, and actionable best practices to begin experimenting with confidence. 

Speakers

This interactive workshop will provide practical guidance and a supportive community for those who want to become a mental health champion. Drawing on research and evidence-based practices, we’ll explore how small, supportive actions by trusted leaders can ease spiritual and emotional pain, quicken recovery, and foster lasting well-being. In becoming a mental health champion, we aim to reduce stigma around mental health and increase connection to peers who care about work.  

Participants will:  

• Develop practical skills to more intentionally support local community and peers, such as active listening, empathic communication, observation, and responding to crises with compassion  
• Explore the power of communal care and the impact of non-clinical mental health support in the Jewish community  
• Expand understanding of available resources in local communities, as well as BeWell well-being programs designed for Jewish communal professionals to make a  tangible impact in their local communities  

This workshop is for team members, managers, and all professionals.  

Speakers

In today’s world of limited resources, effective budgeting and outcome measurement are critical to program success. This interactive session equips both non-finance and finance professionals with essential tools to develop robust program budgets and evaluate their effectiveness.    

Immediate Takeways   

• Understand the basics of budgeting   
• Understand why Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are crucial for measuring the success and can be effectively used in decision making  
• Examine real-life scenarios that help illustrate how budgeting and KPIs can be effectively used in decision making.  

Participants will explore the full budgeting cycle, from identifying costs (both tangible and intangible) to constructing budgets that align with organizational goals. The session emphasizes practical skills for presenting budgets, evaluating performance metrics, and revising budgets to improve acceptance.  

Through hands-on group activities, attendees will gather the information needed to build and refine operating budgets and evaluate outcomes against agreed-upon KPIs. Gain the confidence and expertise to craft budgets that help your organization overcome obstacles and achieve its strategic objectives.  

Speakers

When a crisis hits, Federations are often at the center of communal response—looked to for stability, truth, and direction. This interactive workshop will equip Federation professionals with the mindset, strategies, and communication tools needed to navigate high-stakes moments with confidence and integrity. Participants will learn how to prepare before a crisis occurs, manage real-time communication across multiple audiences, and craft messages that uphold Federation values while minimizing reputational and relational risk. 

Through real-world Federation scenarios, role-play, and guided discussion, participants will explore how to: 

• Anticipate and prepare for crises through proactive planning and scenario mapping tailored to Federation realities. 
• Communicate clearly and consistently with boards, staff, donors, media, partners, and the broader community. 
• Align messaging with mission and Jewish values even under pressure. 
• Balance transparency and discretion to maintain credibility and trust across diverse constituencies. 
• Lead with empathy and steadiness to support communities through uncertainty and challenge. 

This session is designed for Federation professionals in leadership, communications, and community relations roles who want to strengthen their ability to lead with clarity and purpose when it matters most. 

Speakers

Belonging goes beyond access and inclusion; it’s about co-creating structures reflecting Jewish life’s diversity. In this workshop, you’ll define belonging, assess your current efforts, and explore adaptable resources to enhance belonging in your work. This interactive workshop is for team members, managers, and all professionals.  

Through a community charrette model, we will explore a case study to apply Belonging design principles as well as have opportunities to bring your own belonging challenges to the table for input.  

Participants will: 

• Develop an understanding of current Belonging frameworks  
• Have opportunities to apply Belonging design principles in their work and  
• Be inspired to help co-create a body of best practices for belonging in our Jewish Communal Ecosystem 

Speaker

This workshop will help you gain the knowledge and resources necessary to navigate the Israel space more effectively and more bravely both within the Jewish community and with members of other faith and ethnic backgrounds.  Rather than approaching this as a full history of Israel and Zionism, this workshop will focus on key inflection points in the history of Israel and Zionism to help leaders better understand the nuance of many of the issues around Israel that may seem particularly controversial or politically hazardous.  

Questions to be addressed include: 

• Was land in Israel acquired legally or illegally?  
• How did the settlements begin?  
• Is the conflict fueled by religion? Or politics?  
• What do some of the accusations made against Israel and Zionism mean and where do they come from (Zionism as racism, colonialism, etc.)? 

Speaker

Many people struggle to turn good intentions into consistent action. Tasks linger, ideas go unrealized, and the stress of disorganization builds. Whether you’re juggling multiple priorities or trying to stay on top of everyday responsibilities, this session is designed to help. 

In this session you will examine common obstacles that lead to delay and learn practical strategies to strengthen accountability, reduce stress, and manage tasks with greater clarity.  

In this session you will explore simple, repeatable systems for prioritizing responsibilities, tracking progress, and ensuring nothing slips through the cracks. 

• You will learn how to: 
• Turn intentions into consistent action 
• Create clarity around tasks and responsibilities 
• Reduce mental clutter and improve efficiency 

Ideal for anyone looking to work more deliberately, meet deadlines more reliably, and build habits that support long-term follow-through. 

Speaker

What if you could communicate more effectively with senior leaders—and advance your ideas, your team’s work, and your own career in the process? Managing up is a crucial skill for mid-level managers, but it’s rarely taught. In this interactive session, we’ll demystify the dynamics of managing up and offer concrete tools for building productive, trust-based relationships with senior leadership. You’ll learn how to navigate ambiguity, communicate with clarity, and contribute strategically to organizational goals. 

Participants will: 

• Practice ways to clarify priorities and expectations when instructions are vague or shifting 
• Explore techniques for raising concerns and offering feedback in a constructive, upward-facing way 
• Learn how to propose new ideas so they align with leadership’s interests and vision
• Reflect on how managing up can support your own visibility, leadership presence, and growth trajectory 

By the end of the session, you’ll walk away with practical strategies—and greater confidence—for engaging senior leaders with intention, integrity, and influence. 

Speaker

Every professional at a Federation is a storyteller—whether you’re working with donors, running programs, managing finance, or supporting operations. This workshop is for you, no matter your role.  

Your Federation’s story is one of impact, resilience, and community—and how you tell it can spark connection, deepen trust, and inspire generosity. In this session, you’ll learn how to bring that story to life with clarity, emotion, and purpose, and hear how Federations are using storytelling to strengthen relationships and elevate their work across the organization.  

In this workshop you will learn:  

• A clear framework for crafting compelling, mission-centered stories  

• Techniques to connect your day-to-day work to the Federation’s larger narrative  

• Messaging tools that help you speak with authenticity, confidence, and heart  

• Fresh insight into why powerful storytelling is one of the most effective tools for engagement  

If you want your stories to inspire deeper connection and understanding, this session will help you get there. 

Speakers

Strong lay/pro relationships are at the heart of every thriving Federation. But building them, and sustaining them through challenge, change, and growth, requires more than just good intentions. This interactive session equips professionals at all levels with the frameworks, language, and tools to deepen their partnerships with volunteer leaders, whether you're setting the tone with a new chair or navigating complex dynamics on a long-standing board. 

Participants will explore real-world case studies and practice skills to help foster trust, clarify roles, and communicate across difference. Whether you’re newer to working with lay leaders or a seasoned professional looking to sharpen your approach, you’ll leave with actionable strategies to strengthen your lay/pro collaboration and lead more effectively, together. 

Participants will: 

• Learn and apply JFNA’s lay/pro partnership framework to a range of scenarios 
• Practice tools for alignment, shared leadership, and navigating challenging dynamics 
• Explore real-world case studies that illustrate common tensions and how to resolve them
• Identify key stages in the partnership life cycle, from onboarding to co-leadership, and apply appropriate strategies at each stage 

By the end of the session, you’ll walk away with concrete tools and approaches for building resilient, productive relationships with lay partners—ones that elevate both your leadership and the mission you serve. 

Speakers

Every professional at a Federation has a role to play in inclusion, so this session is for YOU whether you work in development, programming, marketing, or leadership! Inclusion is not just “nice to have” - it is core to living our Jewish values. And just like with donor relationships, inclusion requires intention, consistency, and follow-through. Jewish communities that embrace people with disabilities and their families aren’t just doing a mitzvah, they’re strengthening the entire community. When individuals feel they belong, they participate more fully, contribute their gifts, and deepen their connection to Jewish life.

This session will give you the essential building blocks of disability inclusion, with practical tools you can bring back to your Federation or partner organizations. You’ll also hear directly from one Federation that is leading the way in this work.

You’ll walk away with:

• A clear framework for what “inclusion” really means in Jewish communal life
• Practical first steps that any Federation professional can take tomorrow Tools for assessing where your organization stands and where to grow
• Real-world inspiration from a Federation making inclusion a priority

If building a stronger, more connected Jewish community matters to you, be sure to include this session on your schedule!

Speaker

Content TBD

Content TBD

This session is open to Intermediate CEOs only. 

Content TBD

This session is open to small Federation executives only.   

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming how organizations operate, communicate, and deliver impact. For Jewish Federations, AI presents a powerful opportunity to enhance community engagement, streamline operations, and amplify mission-driven work—when used thoughtfully and responsibly.  

This introductory workshop is designed specifically for Federation professionals across departments—development, marketing, planning, HR, IT, and beyond. It will demystify AI, showcase practical tools, and provide a clear framework for using AI safely, ethically, and in alignment with your Federation’s values and policies. Participants will leave with a foundational understanding of AI, real-world use cases, and actionable best practices to begin experimenting with confidence. 

Speakers

This interactive workshop will provide practical guidance and a supportive community for those who want to become a mental health champion. Drawing on research and evidence-based practices, we’ll explore how small, supportive actions by trusted leaders can ease spiritual and emotional pain, quicken recovery, and foster lasting well-being. In becoming a mental health champion, we aim to reduce stigma around mental health and increase connection to peers who care about work.  

Participants will:  

• Develop practical skills to more intentionally support local community and peers, such as active listening, empathic communication, observation, and responding to crises with compassion  
• Explore the power of communal care and the impact of non-clinical mental health support in the Jewish community  
• Expand understanding of available resources in local communities, as well as BeWell well-being programs designed for Jewish communal professionals to make a  tangible impact in their local communities  

This workshop is for team members, managers, and all professionals.  

Speakers

In today’s rapidly evolving philanthropic landscape, donors are looking for more than transactional relationships — they want trusted partners who can help them achieve meaningful impact. This session brings together Federation professionals who will share best practices and real-world strategies for serving as true philanthropic partners to your donors. 

Participants will explore how to build relationships across all areas of fund development, including the annual campaign, major gifts, and planned giving and endowment. The session will also examine effective ways to collaborate with external philanthropic advisors to strengthen donor engagement and drive transformational giving. 

By attending this workshop, participants will learn how to: 

• Position themselves — and their Federations — as trusted philanthropic partners 
• Guide donors in aligning their values, passions, and generosity with community needs 
• Integrate an advisory mindset across annual campaign, major gifts, and planned giving 
• Navigate productive partnerships with outside philanthropic advisors 
• Elevate donor relationships to foster long-term trust, impact, and investment 

Speakers

Over the past several years, Matan has partnered with more than a dozen Federation communities across North America. The lessons learned are powerful, practical, and transferable, whether your Federation is just getting started or ready to deepen its impact.

Inclusion doesn’t happen by accident. It grows through intentional culture change, strategic investment, and alignment with your philanthropic vision. When Federations take the lead, they model for partner agencies and synagogues what it means to build Jewish communities where everyone belongs.

In this workshop, we’ll share key insights and strategies from the field, spotlight one or two Federations that are paving the way, and invite you to reflect on both the philosophical and philanthropic opportunities of inclusion.

You’ll walk away with:

• A roadmap of advanced practices that make inclusion sustainable and scalable
• Transferable lessons from Federations that have been on this journey
• Tools for aligning inclusion with your Federation’s philanthropic strategy
• Fresh ways to educate staff, lay leaders, and funders on why inclusion matters
• Real-world inspiration from peers who are leading change

If you’re ready to move beyond the basics and make inclusion central to your Federation’s culture and strategy, please join us!

Speaker

Committees can be engines of vision, accountability, and community connection—or they can stall out without the right foundation and fuel. This interactive session will walk through the full committee lifecycle: from intentional recruitment and role clarity to effective meeting design, chair partnership, and long-term engagement. Whether you’re launching a new group or revitalizing an existing one, you’ll leave with practical tools and strategies to help your committees thrive. 
 
Participants will explore common challenges in committee culture and function, examine successful models across Federations, and walk away with adaptable templates to strengthen their committee work from the inside out. 
 
Participants will: 

• Learn a framework for the committee lifecycle: build, launch, engage, sustain, and sunset 
• Explore how to recruit with purpose, onboard with intention, and structure meetings for productivity 
• Identify methods to cultivate strong lay/pro co-leadership and clarify roles and responsibilities 
• Gain tools to keep committees mission-aligned, motivated, and outcomes-driven over time  

By the end of the session, you’ll feel more equipped to turn your committees into collaborative, empowered spaces that drive Federation goals, and build deeper community ownership. 

Speakers

When crisis emerges, Federation CEOs and senior executives are called upon not only to respond—but to lead. In moments of communal uncertainty, Federations are expected to provide clarity, credibility, and moral authority, often under intense public scrutiny and time pressure. This executive-level, interactive session is designed to strengthen the capacity of C-suite Federation leaders to steward their organizations and communities through high-stakes crises with confidence, judgment, and integrity. 

Participants will focus on the strategic leadership responsibilities that sit squarely with the CEO and senior leadership team: setting direction, aligning governance and management, managing risk, and serving as the primary voice of the Federation. The session will explore how executive leaders can prepare their organizations in advance, make disciplined decisions in real time, and communicate with authority across complex stakeholder environments. 

Through Federation-specific case studies, facilitated discussion, and scenario-based exercises, participants will examine how to: 

• Exercise executive judgment by anticipating and preparing for crises through scenario planning and risk assessment grounded in Federation realities. 
• Lead coordinated crisis response across senior staff and lay leadership, ensuring alignment between management, board leadership, and key partners. 
• Serve as the Federation’s authoritative voice—communicating clearly and decisively with boards, major donors, funders, media, and the broader community. 
• Balance transparency, confidentiality, and legal considerations to protect institutional trust and long-term credibility. 
• Anchor crisis leadership in mission and Jewish values, modeling steadiness, empathy, and moral clarity under pressure. 

This session is designed exclusively for Federation CEOs, presidents, and senior executive leaders who hold ultimate responsibility for organizational direction, public trust, and communal leadership—and who want to sharpen their ability to lead decisively when it matters most. 

Speakers

What if you could see the future of your community more clearly—and plan for it with confidence? With the right data, you can. This interactive session will explore how Federations can harness the power of forecasting, community mapping, and demographic analysis to guide strategic decision-making. Whether you're new to data or already using it in your work, you'll gain practical tools and fresh perspectives to help you uncover emerging trends, challenge assumptions, and translate insights into action. 

Participants will: 

• Understand how data can illuminate shifting demographics and community needs 
• Learn to use forecasting and mapping tools to support strategic planning 
• Explore real-world case studies that show how data-driven approaches lead to meaningful change 
• Practice applying insights to your own community context through hands-on activities   

By the end of the session, you’ll feel more confident using data to tell your community’s story—and to shape its future with clarity and purpose. 

Facilitator

Speaker

This interactive workshop is designed to help Federation professionals build confidence and skill in creating short, meaningful divrei Torah that resonate in real-life leadership and communal settings. Whether you’re brand new to sharing Jewish text or looking to strengthen your voice and clarity, this session will meet you where you are. 

Participants will engage in hands-on practice, actively working on drafting brief divrei Torah and experimenting with translating Jewish ideas into accessible, authentic messages. In a supportive, low-pressure environment, you’ll have opportunities to share ideas, learn from peers, and receive guided feedback. 

This highly interactive session emphasizes practice over theory, offering real-time coaching and communal learning to help you leave with tools you can use immediately—in meetings, programs, and moments of leadership across your Federation work. 

Speaker

Many people struggle to turn good intentions into consistent action. Tasks linger, ideas go unrealized, and the stress of disorganization builds. Whether you’re juggling multiple priorities or trying to stay on top of everyday responsibilities, this session is designed to help. 

In this session you will examine common obstacles that lead to delay and learn practical strategies to strengthen accountability, reduce stress, and manage tasks with greater clarity.  

In this session you will explore simple, repeatable systems for prioritizing responsibilities, tracking progress, and ensuring nothing slips through the cracks. 

• You will learn how to: 
• Turn intentions into consistent action 
• Create clarity around tasks and responsibilities 
• Reduce mental clutter and improve efficiency 

Ideal for anyone looking to work more deliberately, meet deadlines more reliably, and build habits that support long-term follow-through. 

Speaker

This workshop will be facilitated by talent and leadership development professionals offering a real-world perspective on career progression, hiring, and advancement. They'll share practical examples of how careers evolve across roles, organizations, and career stages—and how professionals can proactively position themselves for growth and fulfillment. 

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: 

• Apply practical career-mapping frameworks to assess where they are now and identify meaningful next steps across various career stages. 
• Recognize multiple pathways for growth within and beyond their current portfolios. 
• Develop a personalized action lens for navigating career decisions with greater clarity, confidence, and intention. 

Speakers

This session moves beyond aspirational language to focus on how belonging can be intentionally designed, implemented, and sustained within Jewish communal organizations. Participants will explore practical strategies for strengthening organizational culture, examining systems and tools through an inclusion lens, and identifying where policies, practices, and assumptions may unintentionally create barriers to belonging. 

Through real-world examples and guided reflection, this session offers concrete guidance on integrating belonging work in meaningful and scalable ways—whether by embedding it into existing programs, leadership practices, and community initiatives, or by establishing a dedicated Center for Jewish Belonging at the local level. Participants will leave with actionable ideas, frameworks, and next steps to help translate values of belonging into measurable organizational change that supports engagement, trust, and long-term community impact. 

Speaker