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Dear Friend,
As we assembled this month's newsletter, we noticed something remarkable. The announcements section kept growing. Read to the end to celebrate these milestones with us!
Across the M² community, alumni are stepping into new roles, joining organizations, and taking on new leadership opportunities. Each announcement represents an individual journey, but together they tell a larger story about a network of educators, leaders, and changemakers continuing to shape Jewish life in meaningful ways.
We often think about learning as something that happens during a fellowship, a course, or a particular moment in time. But this month's updates are a reminder that growth unfolds over years. The relationships, ideas, and commitments that begin in one chapter continue to influence what comes next.
We're grateful to witness the many ways members of the M² community continue to learn, lead, and contribute.
Warmly,
The M² Team
After two incredible M² Aleh Summits over the past year, we are thrilled to announce four more on the horizon!
Aleh is a three-day summit equipping early-career professionals with the skills, insights, and networks to thrive in Jewish communal work. We hope you’ll help us spread the word or refer colleagues with 2-5 years’ work experience who might benefit from this opportunity. Three are being held for professionals from particular partner organizations, with the fourth open to all:
✨ Jewish Federation Professionals: October 20-22 in partnership with Jewish Federations of North America | Learn more
✨ JCC Movement Professionals: November 10-12 in partnership with JCC Association | Learn more
✨ Reform Movement Professionals: April 12-15, 2027, in partnership with the Union for Reform Judaism | Learn more
✨ Open to all early-career Jewish professionals: February 2027 | Learn more
Hope as a Driving Force
Nestled among the hills of Jerusalem, Israeli educators gathered for two days of reflection, learning, and conversation at Yated: Pedagogy of Hope. Fellows explored hope from an educational standpoint, asking how we, as educators, can cultivate hope today while preparing learners to build a better future.
A New Initiative for Israeli Educators
This month, M² launched Merchav Arachim (Values Lab), bringing together 24 Israeli educators from diverse backgrounds to explore values-based learning and what it can mean for them and their learners. Fellows learned from one another while experimenting with playful pedagogies and innovative approaches to teaching and learning.
Coming Together in Toronto
Kehillot: M² Community Fellows from Toronto, Boston, and Greater D.C. gathered this month in Toronto for their second seminar. Fellows dove into a curriculum that brought to life the idea that Judaism is expressed through action, with a particular focus on the value of hessed (lovingkindness). The dynamic seminar was featured in an article by TheJ.ca Jewish news outlet, highlighting the fellowship's innovative approach to Jewish learning and community building.
Visiting the Birthplace of American Judaism
M²'s VP of Marketing, Michael Kress, reflects on a recent Jewish heritage tour of Manhattan's Lower East Side with our New York team. Weaving together the neighborhood's rich Jewish history, iconic eateries, and his own personal connections, Michael offers a thoughtful glimpse into a place where past and present continue to meet. We invite you to take the journey with him >
In Case You Missed It
In advance of the United States’ upcoming 250th anniversary, explore our Independence Values Spark. Through text, reflection, and art, this resource guides learners to delve into what Independence means, what it costs, and what it asks of us as Americans and as Jews.
Aleh in the News
This Atlanta Jewish News article spotlights Aleh fellow Jess Magana-Miller, Club J Assistant Director at the Marcus JCC Atlanta
Aleh Fellow Sophie Silberstein, Program Coordinator at the Wexner Foundation, was featured in this Columbus Jewish News article about Aleh
Coming soon! Parsha Crossroad Cards
Crossroads: Shabbat Discussions is a deck of 54 cards, one for each weekly Torah portion, designed to spark meaningful conversation around the Shabbat table and beyond.
Thank you, Netaly!
We want to extend a huge thank you to Netaly Ophir Flint who is transitioning off the M² Board this month. A member of our founding Board, Netaly’s eight years of dedicated service to M² has accompanied enormous organizational growth, which has been impacted in no small measure by her sharp strategic thinking, wise counsel and incredible dedication to our work. We wish her well and know that this isn’t the end of our relationship.
Mazal Tov to M² alumni on your achievements – wishing you the best of luck!
SEC 8 alum Alyssa Craft began as Executive Director of Embark at Mem Global.
SEC 7 alum Pete Shevenell has been named CEO of Lost Tribe.
Mabat 2 alum and M² Israel Programs facilitator Guy Yaakobi began as CEO of Otot.
SEC 5 alum Bryan Oren began as Director of the Jerusalem Youth Chorus (JYC) Impact Fellowship.
Kehillot: Toronto ‘25 fellow Leore Zecharia began as Project Manager and Administrator at Yorkville Jewish Centre.
Mabat 3 alum Orit Raz received the Jerusalem Volunteer Award on behalf of Kanfey Dror, in recognition of its work combating bullying.
Have you started a new position? Published a thought leadership piece? Received an award? Please let us know so we can congratulate you and update our community and our records.
Welcome, Laura!
Laura Baruch Sherman joined our Chicago office as a Program Coordinator. Most recently at The iCenter, she brings a passion for Jewish communal work and experience in engagement and planning.
Join the M² Staff
Director of AI Jewish Educational Content | Jerusalem | Full-time
M² is seeking a Director of AI Jewish Education Content to join our Jerusalem team. This unique role sits at the intersection of Jewish education and artificial intelligence.
Program Coordinator | Chicago | Full-time
M² is seeking a Program Coordinator to join our Chicago office. This hybrid role, based in Evanston, IL, is ideal for an organized project manager who is energized by building relationships, keeping complex systems running smoothly, and taking ownership of meaningful work.
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