At a time when many Jewish communities are grappling with how to foster deeper engagement and participation, Asher sees an opportunity to reimagine not just what happens in communal spaces, but how it feels to be part of them. For her, leadership is rooted in creating moments of connection—where music, ritual, and presence come together to make Jewish life felt as much as it is practiced.
Over the last couple of years, Veronica Andersen has drawn strength from the Pro Net community, deepening her connection to Judaism after the isolating years of the pandemic and the passing of her mother. The LA Pro Net became more than just a social space—it was a catalyst for spiritual reconnection and a path toward leadership in Jewish life.
At the core of Traylor’s leadership is the idea that all humans are created b’tzelem Elohim—“in the image of God”—a concept found in the very beginning of Torah. “If each and every person, not only Jews, but every person in the world, is created in the image of God,” Traylor said, “that calls us to not only be nice to them, but to love them and to fight to ensure they have live a life filled with goodness.”
Spicer’s leadership trajectory is an excellent example of putting research into action and can serve as a model for other communities. The survey created a centralized effort for community members to articulate their need for belonging and more leadership opportunities, and TischPDX took the findings seriously.
“It took me [20 years] to map out the kind of broad boundaries of the different people who said that they were both Black and Jewish, and that long to decode what I was looking at,” Haynes explains. “I spent a lot of time trying to piece together the historical context that shaped the categories of Black and Jewish in the United States.”
Lewis envisions a future where JoC have more agency within the Jewish Climate Movement, creating resources and opportunities for leadership. Meeting with rabbinic fellows at Dayenu, she aims to empower JoC to initiate their circles, ensuring their voices are valued. This lifelong pipeline of opportunity is crucial for impactful change in the Jewish and climate justice community.
In the heart of Tulsa, Oklahoma, a remarkable young leader reflects a new era of Jewish leadership. Meet Micah Pierandri, an 18-year-old deeply involved with BBYO, both locally and on the international stage. Her journey, marked by personal experiences in Jewish communal spaces, and a commitment to inclusivity, led her to create MoCA, the Members of Color Alliance.
Her firsthand knowledge of the way being heard and received with empathy can impact change has shaped Savage-Narva’s current work with the URJ, where she leads internal and external consulting efforts that promote racially equitable and diverse communities. “One of the things I really try hard to do, is to meet people where they are in their journey, and understand that people are coming from so many different places and bringing their experiences, biases, and baggage,” said Savage-Narva.
When she decided to run for Board of Supervisors in District 7, which encompasses many neighborhoods in Western San Francisco, some of her colleagues expressed doubt.“It’s a conservative district. You’re too progressive. You have no chance,” Melgar recalled being told. “And I was like, I’m used to walking in different worlds. I’m Jewish, I’m Latina, I’m an immigrant. I’m so many different things. My synagogue is in this district. My kids all went to school in this district. I know all the PTA moms and all the soccer moms. I walk in different universes and I think that gave me that ability to just talk to different people, and connect with them.”
Pinkney’s time in the JoCI Incubator was one of several crucial mentorship experiences that helped him define his vision for The Workshop. “I want to speak to one thing that has made all the difference in my life. And that is mentorship,” said Pinkney. “It is worth its weight in gold. I cannot emphasize it enough.” Pinkney described a “theory of mentorship” that has formed over the years: a diverse array of mentors, those who provide support financially, emotionally, or career-wise, is crucial in developing the skillset and network necessary to realize a mission, or achieve professional goals, especially as individuals with marginalized identities.
