CANADIAN JEWISH PROFESSIONALS COMPLETE INNOVATIVE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Third all-Canada cohort of graduate program for Jewish leaders begins in February.

(MONTREAL) On Sunday, December 7, 2014, Chicago’s Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership, in partnership with the Jewish Federations of Canada-UIA, proudly awarded its innovative Master of Arts in Jewish Professional Studies (MAJPS) degree to nine graduates of the program's second Canadian cohort.

The participants in this cohort have been studying and learning together for two years, creating a multi-city community of best practice devoted to the dynamic leadership of the organizations that serve Jewish Canada. Representing a wide-range of roles and responsibilities, they serve as executive directors, leadership directors, program directors, regional directors, and outreach directors at their respective organizations. The program’s graduates are: Jeff Bicher of Hillel Montreal; Tamara Caplan of Hillel Toronto; Kimberly Cola of Federation CJA, Montreal; Shaun Hoffman of JDC; Tara Kaufman of Hillel Montreal; Veronica Klein of JFC–UIA; Aviva Millstone of Camp Ramah; Robert Nagus of Queens Hillel, Hillel Canada; and Judi Lisa Price-Rosen of Gray Academy of Jewish Education.

These professionals join colleagues from the first all-Canada cohort, who graduated in December of 2011. Graduates from the MAJPS leadership program are now enhancing the operations and advancing the ways that Jewish organizations serve constituents across Canada.

At the ceremony — which took place at Federation CJA in Montréal (1 Cummings Square) — Veronica Klein spoke passionately on behalf of her fellow graduates. The program, she said, was “life-changing, thought-provoking, reflective, meaningful, engaging, supportive, and gratifying.”

In his keynote address, Spertus President and CEO Dr. Hal M. Lewis, an internationally recognized authority on Jewish leadership, gave the graduates a charge. He entrusted them to face challenging times with “boldness, risk tolerance, and a willingness to ignore the naysayers.”

Created in 2007, the Spertus Master of Arts in Jewish Professional Studies (MAJPS) program was conceived to meet the needs of those working in the diverse organizations that serve and inform the Jewish community. Building on 90 years of Spertus Institute expertise, the graduate program provides important grounding in classical and contemporary Jewish knowledge, combined with much-needed professional training based in the best practices of nonprofit management. The program draws students from a broad range of career areas, creating a vibrant environment for professionals to learn from one another. In addition, a rigorous mentoring program affords students the opportunity to discuss significant professional issues and network with acknowledged leaders in their field. The Canadian program is a unique partnership between Spertus Institute and the Jewish Federations of Canada—UIA.

A third Canada-wide cohort of the MAJPS will begin in February. Those interested should contact Michael Soberman at MSoberman@ujafed.org or 416.398.6931 x5355.

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ABOUT SPERTUS INSITUTE

Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership offers dynamic learning opportunities, rooted in Jewish wisdom and culture and open to all. Graduate programs and workshops train future leaders and engage individuals in exploration of Jewish life. Public programs — including films, speakers, seminars, and concerts — take place at the Institute's Michigan Avenue facility, in the Chicago suburbs, and online. For more information, please visit spertus.edu.

Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership is a partner in serving our community, supported by the JUF/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.

ABOUT JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF CANADA - UIA

In its capacity as the national system, the Jewish Federations of Canada-UIA works in partnership with Federations to strengthen Jewish life in Canada, Israel, and overseas. JFC-UIA represents ten Canadian Federations and four regional councils, each of which raises and distributes funds annually for social welfare, social services and educational needs.  JFC-UIA has offices in Toronto and Jerusalem. For more information, please visit jewishcanada.org