Although the Latin American Jewish community is 750,000 strong, many emerging leaders don’t see a future for themselves at home. Young Jews are leaving their communities for professional or personal opportunities — and they don’t come back.
We’re working to reverse this trend, and are encouraging Latin American Jewish institutions to embrace and fully integrate young professionals into their leadership infrastructure. Responsibility also lies with our talented and highly motivated emerging leaders, for whom the legendary proclamation by the late New York Rep. Shirley Chisholm applies: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” Wherever decisions are being made that affect the Jewish communities of Latin America, it is imperative that community leaders make space for young professionals, and that those young professionals are prepared to bring a chair if necessary.
We’re working to reverse this trend, and are encouraging Latin American Jewish institutions to embrace and fully integrate young professionals into their leadership infrastructure. Responsibility also lies with our talented and highly motivated emerging leaders, for whom the legendary proclamation by the late New York Rep. Shirley Chisholm applies: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” Wherever decisions are being made that affect the Jewish communities of Latin America, it is imperative that community leaders make space for young professionals, and that those young professionals are prepared to bring a chair if necessary.
