TL;DR: Global Jewry is expanding its reach in Europe and exploring a new initiative: The Global Jewry Circle. This Circle will bring together a broader group of engaged individuals beyond our current partner organizations and advisors to foster deeper connections and shared impact across the Jewish world.

Last week we asked for your thoughts on language — how best to describe Global Jewry and the goals of the network we’re building together. This week, we’d like to hear your perspective on structure, particularly as we think about expanding our presence and influence across Europe.

We’re delighted to share that Eitan Bergman has joined Global Jewry as our new Sharon and David Wax Fellow for European Partner Engagement. Working closely with Andrew Gilbert, Chair of our European Board, Eitan will deepen relationships across the continent and extend the reach of our growing network. Given his experience and connections, his arrival positions GJ to expand in Europe with a well-grounded European outlook.

As our work in Europe and elsewhere continues to grow, we believe the time has come to engage a broader set of individuals in our work — people beyond our current partner organizations and advisors who are fully invested in Jewish life, deeply committed to the Jewish future and have much to contribute. That recognition is leading us to consider launching an additional facet to our platform: the Global Jewry Circle.

At its heart, Global Jewry rests on a single conviction — that connection is the precondition for everything else. When the Jewish organizational world is more cohesive, the work becomes clearer, trust runs deeper, and collective impact compounds. Yet too often, important work remains fragmented or unnecessarily duplicated across institutions and geographies. Global Jewry exists to change that — serving as a platform for convening, coordination, and cooperation among hundreds of organizations and leaders worldwide. The Circle is a way we think we can encourage and enable more people to help us achieve our mission — and do so in a deliberate, structured way.

Our hope is that the Circle will bring together individuals who are actively shaping the Jewish future and positively impacting their communities — those within established institutions and those doing important work outside of them. Both are essential to broadening connections within the Jewish world, and we know they are united by a shared desire to see ideas travel further, relationships deepen, and important initiatives gain visibility and momentum.

We are confident that strong connections will naturally emerge across individuals, organizations and geographies, fostering open and purposeful exchange of ideas. This will allow The Circle to realize its potential as a valuable platform for growth, connection and exposure for all its members.

That brings us to how the Circle fits within our broader structure. It is designed to be both distinct from and complementary to our Advisory Council. While we look to the Advisory Council for strategic guidance and leadership, we envision the Circle extending that work outward, activating a broader network of already engaged or new participants. Roundtables, masterclasses, and convenings will be central to the Circle experience, and the two bodies will remain clearly differentiated to preserve the integrity and effectiveness of each. Membership will be thoughtfully curated; participation will be flexible and organic.

The Circle will be directed by our new Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation Fellow — Salome Kornfeld — and guided by its co-chairs: Lena Bakman, Shawn Landres, Oded Hermoni and Erica Lyons. All five of these folks are inspiring and talented leaders drawn from across the Jewish communal landscape, people who will help shape its direction, tone and impact. Serving as both ambassadors and thought leaders, these co-chairs bring deep experience, trusted relationships, and a shared commitment to fostering connection and cooperation. They will play a key role in convening members, elevating important ideas and initiatives, linking to our partner organizations and Advisory Council, and ensuring the Circle is a dynamic, values-driven network where working together is the rule, not the exception.

We’d welcome your reactions — what resonates, what feels unclear, and where you see the greatest opportunity.

Shavua tov,

Sandy Cardin

Founder, Global Jewry

Have an achievement (e.g. publications, awards, appearances, etc) you would like highlighted in a future GJ Connections? Let us know by emailing sandy@globaljewry.org.

PS: If you don’t already do so, please ensure you are staying connected with Global Jewry by following us on social media on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.