Mandel Institute for Nonprofit Leadership

05/18/2026

Jonathan Krasner, professor of American Jewish history at Brandeis University and faculty for Mandel education programs, recently published an article in Sources about the current state of Jewish education in America, writing that "the central challenge facing the field is not how to disrupt the grammar of Jewish education, but how to work more honestly within and around it."

Krasner digs into the tensions between attendance and satisfaction as measures of success, the often-unrealistic expectations set by funders, and the struggle to determine when and where innovation is required. What would the field look like if we valued a diverse portfolio of offerings instead of models that are one-size-fits-all?

Read the full piece here: https://loom.ly/pnzBtQQ

Jonathan Krasner Spring 2026

05/12/2026

Advisors accelerate Executive Leadership fellows' growth through their wisdom and unwavering support. Through one‑on‑one advising, fellows gain:
▪️A clearer understanding of their strengths and areas for growth

▪️A confidential space for sense‑making, where complex challenges can be named and examined honestly

▪️Support for experimentation and space to reflect on lessons learned

▪️Greater clarity and confidence in navigating high‑stakes moments and organizational dynamics

Applications for the Executive Leadership Program close May 15th!
Learn more: https://hubs.ly/Q047WVMp0

05/07/2026

One week left! Applications for our Executive Leadership Program close on Friday, May 15th at 11:59pm ET. 💼 Apply and share while you still can!

Learn more and apply today: https://hubs.ly/Q047WVMp0

04/30/2026

In the Executive Leadership Program, practice groups create space for fellows to go deeper. Placed in consistent groups that meet monthly throughout the program, fellows build trust, advance relationships, and support one another’s leadership growth. Fellows can expect:

▪️A trusted container for vulnerability, honest problem‑sharing, and generous peer support

▪️Structured and unstructured conversations to process program learning and surface leadership questions

▪️Focused reflection on new ideas and experiments, including what’s working, what’s not, and what’s emerging

▪️Strengthened bonds as the group learns to listen closely, challenge thoughtfully, and hold complexity together

Applications for the Executive Leadership Program are open through May 15th!
Learn more: https://hubs.ly/Q047WVMp0

04/24/2026

Congratulations to Margo Hughes-Robinson on her appointment as Executive Director of the New York Jewish Agenda, a progressive advocacy group engaging with city, state, and federal policy. As Margo steps into the role, she shared that she would begin her tenure focused on “fighting and addressing antisemitism” and ensuring “protection for immigrants.” Mazel tov!

Read the announcement in JTA News: https://loom.ly/oUw_yO4

04/21/2026

Our in-person gatherings are intensive learning labs that prioritize encounter, practice, and reflection. So, what does that look like in action?

▪️Participatory faculty sessions focused on leadership practice and the forces shaping Jewish life today
▪️Immersive site visits that expose fellows to diverse leaders, communities, and projects in context
▪️Processing sessions, through a range of modalities, to deepen insight and apply learning
▪️(Fun!) cohort-building experiences that strengthen connection and build trust

Applications for the Executive Leadership Program are open through May 15th!
Learn more: https://hubs.ly/Q047WVMp0

04/20/2026

Frieda Vizel - Tour Guide, Essays, Etc. (Cultural Leadership, Cohort I) recently interviewed journalist Jacob Kornbluh for her popular YouTube channel, which covers Jewish subcultures and Jewish New York. Kornbluh is a reporter for The Forward and has become a fixture in NYC politics, with his beat focusing on issues affecting the New York Jewish community. Vizel's conversation with Kornbluh ran the gamut, from his impressions of Mayor Mamdani and his experience as a Chassidic journalist to his past work and his adjustment to life in America.

Watch the full interview here: https://loom.ly/KUUwTK4

04/17/2026

A warm congratulations to Amy Marks (Executive Leadership, Cohort IV), who was just named as the incoming Chief Advancement Officer for the Jewish Community Centers of North America (JCCs)! Amy will oversee all advancement endeavors for the Association and will join the organization's executive team. Mazel tov, Amy!

Read the full press release: https://loom.ly/EFF1fAQ

04/16/2026

Join our Executive Leadership Program info session tomorrow, April 17th at 12:30pm ET! We'll get into the details of the program: what it offers, what's changed, and what will make your application stand out. There will be time for questions, so make sure you stay through to the end!

Registration is required: https://loom.ly/yBmkVcY

04/13/2026

David Kurzmann (Executive Leadership Program, Cohort II) has just started a new role at the Shalom Hartman Institute! As the Managing Director of Regional Funder Engagement, David will diversify funding for the Institute by expanding its portfolio beyond the New York and Tri-State area. Congratulations to David!

Read more: https://loom.ly/ga4M-r4

04/10/2026

Have questions about the Executive Leadership Program? Join us for an info session on Friday, April 17th at 12:30pm ET! Program Director Karen Spira will share more about the redesigned program and will end with a Q&A.

Register here: https://loom.ly/yBmkVcY