With so much happening all over the world right now, I am finding it very hard to keep up. This is especially true with news from Israel, where the bittersweet story of the return of the hostages continues to unfold. While we celebrate the homecoming of those released, we continue to anguish for those remaining in captivity.
One story that was almost eclipsed by the news cycle was the naming of the inaugural 150-member cohort of Voice of the People (VoP), an initiative spearheaded by Israeli President Isaac Herzog. The participants in the program – 50 from Israel, 50 from the United States and 50 from the rest of the Jewish world – will have the opportunity to actively engage in finding innovative solutions to the issues that matter most to our communities, giving them a powerful platform to contribute their ideas, energy, and expertise.
A special shout-out goes to those members of the Global Jewry Advisory Board who were selected to participate in VoP, listed below. By being part of both initiatives, they will bridge the gap between grassroots-driven innovation and organizational collaboration, ensuring that both levels of engagement work together to make the greatest impact.
Though they share the overarching goal of strengthening the Jewish people, the Voice of the People project and the Global Jewry Advisory Board operate with distinct focuses. The Voice of the People program empowers individuals to tackle problems directly and creatively. Its goal is to harness the collective power of diverse voices to come up with solutions that can have a direct, tangible effect on the community. Participants will play a crucial role in shaping conversations, influencing decisions, and leading initiatives from the ground up.
Meanwhile, the Global Jewry Advisory Board works at the organizational level, facilitating collaboration among Jewish institutions and helping them operate more effectively and efficiently. The focus here is on fostering synergy between various groups, ensuring they can work together cohesively to achieve shared objectives and strengthen the collective infrastructure of the Jewish community.
Together, these two programs form a complementary and dynamic partnership. While Voice of the People channels the energy and ideas of individuals, the Global Jewry Advisory Board ensures that organizations can work together to turn those ideas into reality. Both initiatives are vital to building a stronger, more connected Jewish future.
Congratulations to all selected for the first cohort of the Voice of the People project! Your leadership and commitment will undoubtedly shape the future of the Jewish community for years to come.
Shabbat shalom and may we see a peaceful and cooperative ceasefire that brings home all of the remaining hostages,
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.