CAJM Leadership Institute: 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. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) 21st Century Museum Professionals Program (21MP-259700-OMS-26). 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.
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 new executive leadership and 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.