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Dear Friend,
“Optimism is the belief that things will get better. Hope is the belief that, together, we can make things better.” –– Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
As we continue to pray for the safe return of the 50 hostages still held in Gaza, we hold close the words of Rachel Goldberg, mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who reminds us that “hope is mandatory.” Even in moments of pain, hope is not passive. Practicing hope in this moment means choosing to stay present, to keep showing up, and to actively help shape the future we imagine.
We’ve seen this practice of hope in motion throughout the past month: in the honest conversations about Israel at Collaboratory; in the bold vision of early-career professionals at the Aleh Summit; and in our effort to turn hope into action through The Hope Survey.
Across distances and differences, we are humbled to witness Jewish educators, leaders, and communities actively choosing connection, meaning, and growth—as the practice of hope takes root.
Warmly,
The M² Team
At a time of deep uncertainty—and deep possibility—for the Jewish people, we’re asking Jewish communal professionals to pause and reflect:
What gives you hope?
What’s weighing you down?
What do you need to keep going?
The Hope Survey 2025 is a 10-minute anonymous check-in designed to capture the emotional, professional, and communal pulse of our field.
Your voice matters—not just to funders and leaders, but to the collective effort to build workplaces, programs, and communities that actually support you.
The results will be shared widely, guiding real action—and giving you insight into what your peers are feeling and needing right now.
Already filled it out? Thank you. Please forward to colleagues and networks—we want every voice to count.
We have new content for you!
Over the past several months, new content has made its way into Senior Educators Cohort and Mabat. You're invited to this one-time, 90-minute virtual workshop offering.
JOIN US! Wednesday, September 10th at 9am PT / 12pm ET / 7pm Israel
The session will introduce Values & Verbs—a powerful new approach to deepening values-driven education by focusing on the verbs that can shape your practice.
Reconnect with fellow alumni, experience fresh ideas, and gain concrete tools to bring back to your work.
EMPOWERING EARLY CAREER PROFESSIONALS AT ALEH
- The first of its kind Aleh Summit, in partnership with JFNA, brought together early-career Jewish Federation professionals from across North America. Fellows left with broader skills, insights, and networks, empowering them to thrive in their Jewish communal work. Read more >
DIVING DEEP INTO ISRAEL ENGAGEMENT AT COLLABORATORY
- Over three days at Collaboratory 2025, educators and entrepreneurs from more than 100 diverse Jewish organizations came together to explore new ways of thinking about how to navigate Israel-related issues. The gathering, in partnership with Upstart, offered space for complexity and connection—bringing together diverse voices and shared commitments during a critical moment. Read more >
FOSTERING RESILIENCE AND CONNECTION AT SHALEM COLLEGE
- M² was honored to facilitate Yated: Cultivating Resilience at Shalem College in Jerusalem this month. In a time of ongoing communal challenge, Yated has now reached 250 fellows across Israel and North America—a milestone that underscores the growing need for Jewish spaces of reflection, connection, and resilience. Read more >
TRAINING SHLICHIM TO LEAD WITH VALUES
- M² facilitated a training session for shlichim—emissaries of the Jewish Agency—just before they embark on their journeys to Jewish communities across the United States. Through an immersive simulation, the shlichim stepped into simulated scenarios they may soon encounter to practice finding their voice as both representatives of Israel and thoughtful participants in complex Jewish ecosystems. Read more >
“At this moment, when our people face some of the greatest challenges in recent memory…the need for committed educators is more urgent than ever. If communities expect educators to keep showing up fully present, with care and conviction, then those communities also have to show up for them.”
In his latest op-ed in The Jerusalem Post, M² CEO Shuki Taylor issues a powerful call: to uplift and support the educators who are planting the seeds of Jewish life and learning every day.
M² Board Member Shawna Goodman Sone was recently recognized in eJewishPhilanthropy for her visionary leadership in transforming the landscape of experiential education in Israel. As the founder of Summer Camps Israel, Shawna has brought her deep belief in the power of immersive, joyful learning to life — working to build a thriving movement of Israeli overnight camps where belonging, identity, and fun can flourish, much like they do in North America.
Thanks to her dedication and the team she has assembled, thousands of Israeli children now have access to transformative summer experiences once considered out of reach.
Oshrat Slama Grozman, M²’s Director of Marketing and Communications, recently completed Shikma—a social entrepreneurship fellowship for bereaved families of October 7th—through her involvement with Wings of Hope and as a relative of the Kutz family, z”l. The fellowship’s 20 families were honored with a graduation at the President’s Residence, recognizing their resilience, impact, and extraordinary work.
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.
Are you an alum of one of our programs?
Join the M² Alumni Broadcast WhatsApp group to stay informed
of future opportunities and updates.
