The AJC Chicago Collective

The AJC Chicago Collective is an extraordinary new leadership development opportunity for individuals to come together as a community and learn the art of global Jewish diplomacy. Participants will elevate their leadership skills while deepening their understanding of AJC’s distinctive and strategic approach to Jewish advocacy at a local, national, and global level. 

The cohort will engage with AJC experts on the most pressing issues facing the global Jewish community today and develop the skills necessary to address the challenges of the future. To apply, please visit: The Collective Application. 
 
Through this six-session program, participants will have the opportunity to engage monthly with a small group of peers from the Chicagoland Jewish community. Sessions will be led by AJC experts and will cover a variety of topics, from how to advocate for Israel and fight its delegitimization in today’s culture, to how AJC through a strong lay-staff partnership successfully influences policy and opinion at the local, national, and global level. This program is perfect for individuals who want to learn more about global affairs and interfaith engagement and take an active role in AJC’s advocacy work by helping to shape a strong, vibrant future for the Jewish community in Chicago and beyond.

Sessions for the Chicago Collective will fall on the 4th Wednesday of each month from March through August. Each session will be held at 7:30 PM and will last 60-90 minutes. Session topics include:

• March 24: Orientation, Meet Your Cohort, How to Make the Most of This Program 
• April 28:  Global Jewish Advocacy in a Time of Turmoil 
• May 26: The U.S., American Jewry, and the Struggle to Influence Vital Events: How AJC’s Global Network Works  
• June 23: Advocacy & Influence: The Regional Office   
• July 28: Aligning and Balancing Philanthropic Priorities with Everyday Life 
• August 25: Our Jewish Future and How You Can Shape Our Tomorrow

AJC Chicago Collective participants will: 

• Attend and participate in sessions conducted by regional, national, and international AJC staff  
• Learn how to be more effective advocates for the Jewish community and Israel  
• Build a community of like-minded, motivated individuals 
• Deepen engagement with diplomats, legislators, interfaith partners, and community leaders 
• Participate in Insider Briefings specific to the AJC Chicago Collective
• Make a commitment to increasing their gift to AJC Chicago, at a level that is personally meaningful to them, or if new to AJC, make a personally meaningful gift to AJC Chicago

Successful candidates will demonstrate some or all of the following qualities: 

• Demonstrated commitment to the health and welfare of the Jewish community 
• Interest in global affairs 
• Enthusiasm for building strong and involved activist communities 
• Motivation to be a change agent and capacity to lead
• Ability to embrace complex issues, listen to other points of view, and a meaningfully advocate on behalf of the Jewish people
• Passion for building a strong, robust future for Jews and other vulnerable peoples in Chicago, the U.S., Israel, and around the world 
• Desire to expand their leadership footprint within AJC 

To apply, please visit: The Collective Application. For more information, please contact Lauren Grossman at grossmanln@ajc.org.