Investing in the Leaders Who Will Shape Our Field

Every institution is only as strong as the people who carry its work forward. Behind each exhibition, tour, and program that brings a community together are dedicated professionals who give their talent and heart to Jewish museums and cultural institutions. This winter, CAJM is launching a new initiative to invest in those people and the future of our field. Made possible in part through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) 21st Century Museum Professionals Program, we are delighted to introduce the CAJM Leadership Institute (CLI).

The Leadership Institute arrives at a moment when our field needs it more than ever. Whether you're part of a team of three or a staff of a hundred, the demands on Jewish museums and cultural institutions continue to grow. Add rising antisemitism, tight budgets, and expanding expectations, and it's no surprise that many colleagues feel stretched thin and isolated. We've heard this from members for years, at conferences, in Talking Circles, and in countless conversations. The Leadership Institute is CAJM's answer.

At the heart of the Institute is the CAJM Leadership Fellowship, bringing together 20 professionals from participating CAJM institutions from January 2027 through August 2029. Designed to support mid-career professionals with leadership potential, the Fellowship will bring together colleagues from institutions of different sizes, regions, and areas of focus to learn, grow, and build lasting professional relationships.

What makes the Fellowship special is that nobody goes through it alone. Fellows will learn together as a cohort while also building individual partnerships through hevruta, the traditional Jewish practice of studying in pairs. These relationships will create space for honest conversation, mutual support, and professional connections that we hope will last well beyond the Fellowship.

The Fellowship unfolds in three phases: Leading Self, exploring personal strengths and leadership styles; Leading Others, developing skills to manage teams and navigate challenges; and Leading the Organization and Community, building the capacity to shape institutional strategy and community engagement. Fellows will participate in monthly virtual learning sessions, gather in person alongside CAJM's annual conferences, and ultimately develop a leadership project at their home institution.

The program is led by CAJM staff with guidance from an Advisory Committee composed of CAJM board representatives and museum leaders. Learning will be supported by Core Consultants Josh Feldman and Rachel Zieleniec of R&R: The Rest of Our Lives, and Sarah Pharaon of Dialogic Consulting, with program evaluation led by Rebecca Shulman of Museum Questions Consulting.

The Leadership Institute is an investment in our entire field, not only the fellows who participate. Through conference presentations, shared resources, and Talking Circles open to the broader membership, the learning and connections developed through the Fellowship will extend across the CAJM network.

We are now finalizing the details of our inaugural cohort and look forward to introducing the participating institutions and fellows in the coming months. Stay tuned as we take this exciting next step together!