Dear Friend,

The past two years have stretched our communities in deep and complex ways—personally, professionally, and collectively. It was out of this moment that we launched the Hope Study: a chance to listen closely, to understand where people are, and to uncover what sustains and strengthens them. 

This special edition of our newsletter is dedicated to the findings of the Hope Study. In the sections that follow, you’ll find highlights from the data, reflections on what it means for our field, and a link to register for an opportunity to hear more about the educational ramifications of the study, in our upcoming webinar on October 30th. 

As we approach Rosh Hashanah, we're reflecting on the challenges of this moment, and at the same time, we're looking ahead with renewed determination — and holding onto hope.

As always, we’re grateful to be in this with you.

Wishing you and yours a Shana Tova,
The M² Team

Nearly 950 Jewish communal professionals across North America responded to the Hope Survey this summer, offering a window into the sources that sustain - or detract from - hope among Jewish professionals during the period of sustained crisis that began on October 7, 2023. The findings provide a portrait of Jewish professionals at a particular moment in time, dealing with unprecedented and pervasive pressures that undermine feelings of hope and challenge resilience.

Here are five key insights that stood out:

• Internal communal division is the greatest obstacle to sustaining hope.
• External threats weigh heavily on personal well-being, but less on professional resilience.
• Belonging and purpose fuel hope.
• Principled leadership is a key generator of hope.
• Collective supports are valued over individualized ones.

Together, these findings reveal strong currents of resilience, connection, and commitment—even in difficult times. 

Click the image below to see the Hope Study Visual Guide >

In addition, we invite you to be among the first to read our full report on The Hope Survey Findings and its implications. 

These results are already sparking broader conversations. Today, eJewish Philanthropy featured an article on the Hope Study, amplifying its message and reach across the field.

Read the eJewish Philanthropy article here >

In all of this, we found a renewed sense of purpose—to create opportunities for hope, not as a vague ideal, but as a tangible, shared practice rooted in Jewish identity, collective responsibility, and courageous leadership.

Join us next month as we share about the educational ramifications of the study in a one-hour webinar: Cultivating Hope: Findings, Implications, and Resources for Educators. 

Thursday, October 30th | 10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM EST / 8:00 PM Israel

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