Forum for Jewish Leadership (FJL)

🕯️Yom HaShoah 2026

This winter, we ran our first FJL Journey to Poland for alumni and friends. Travelling through Lublin, Krakow, Lizsensk, Lancut and Tarnow, the group explored synagogues, monuments and cemeteries that told the story of the vibrant Jewish life that once flourished across the region. Alongside learning about the rich Jewish life that once flourished in Poland, the group encountered the devastating reality of the Holocaust. Visits to Majdanek and Auschwitz confronted participants with the unimaginable tragedy and cruelty of the Holocaust with the scale of destruction and loss that took place.

Rabbi Jonny and Elisheva Newman, who helped lead the trip, shared these reflections:

“As we head into Yom HaShoah, our thoughts and minds will take us back to our time in Poland together.

We were there. We saw, we felt, we cried and we carry it with us. This is both a privilege and a responsibility. A privilege and responsibility to lead meaningfully Jewish lives, to have the stories of the survivors at the forefront of our minds and allow their hope, resilience, bravery and courage to inspire us in leading lives of choosing good and bringing good to the world.

Just a few ideas that can help ensure this Yom HaShoah becomes an opportunity to really reconnect:
- Look through your Poland photos - find one that hits you, share it wherever you can
- Revisit a memory from the trip
- Think about a story that stayed with you
- Light a candle and hold onto a name or place
- Say a tefillah, a prayer in your own words and language that we continue to remember and rebuild

Am Yisrael Chai - our people is strong and here to stay, we just have to choose to play our part.

Jonny & Elisheva”

The Seder: A Roadmap for the Jewish Journey Part 1/4
🍷🍷🍷🍷📖
The Seder is more than a family dinner. It is a journey. In the 15 steps from Kadesh to Nirtzah, we find a roadmap for life itself. This year, we are exploring the “15 Steps for Life: Passover Edition,” a companion designed to help you bring deeper intention and meaning to your table 🐸☄️🩸🕶️

The Jewish story is one of constant movement and unfolding history. As we look at the Jewish people’s current journey, the Seder calls on us to slow down. It invites us to appreciate how history is being written in the present. By engaging with each step of the journey, we become active participants in a story that is still unfolding, until we reach the final redemption! 🌟

🇦🇺✨ FJL Australia: Sydney Reunion Shabbat, Challah Bake & Melbourne Info Night✨🇦🇺

FJL Australia continues to grow its vibrant community, bringing alumni and students together for meaningful moments of connection, learning, and inspiration across the country.

Recently, students returning from New York and Washington, DC reunited in Sydney for a special Shabbat dinner and Seudat Shlish*t. The excitement to reconnect was clear, with five students even flying in from Melbourne! Guest speaker Kevin Bermeister inspired the group as he shared his journey to Judaism through quantum physics, alongside insights into his professional work and projects in Israeli real estate.

FJL alumni also gathered in Sydney for a meaningful Challah Bake at the Soul Centre , together with alumni from several programmes including the recent Give Back Winter Volunteer trip. In partnership with , which supports Jewish hospital patients, the evening focused on the deeper meaning behind challah baking. shared her inspiring story about chesed and finding purpose through her work.

Meanwhile in Melbourne, Australia Director .weiner joined Melbourne Director for an alumni reunion and info evening with over 40 attendees. Prospective students learned about FJL’s upcoming Israel and New York programmes for 2026/27, while FJL Alumni shared their personal experiences and encouraged others to take the leap 👣

From Sydney to Melbourne, it’s incredible to see the FJL Australia community continuing to grow stronger 💙

Week 4 of FJL Jacademy in London🇬🇧✨

“I am in shock at the calibre of people you introduce us to,” said one of our participants this week — this says it all!

Our week began with an insightful session with Daniel Weisz and Keith Breslauer from who shared their professional journeys, investment insights, and honest advice about leadership and growth.

On Tuesday, we were warmly hosted by the Fulton family for an incredible evening of food, conversation, and inspiration. We had the privilege of hearing from Rabbi Akiva Tatz about the deeper meaning of Pesach and the idea of supernatural miracles. We also heard from Chana Sufrin, founder of who spoke about building a fashion brand while using her platform to advocate for Israel and support the IDF — a powerful example of responsibility in action.

Wednesday brought some well-deserved fun with a social night at Mazal followed by bowling 🎳

On Thursday, we heard from Marco Laurence whose extraordinary life story - from time spent with Buddhist monks, to fighting in Thailand, to building a successful business while remaining deeply committed to Jewish life - left everyone inspired.

And perhaps most special of all — even on a free weekend, participants chose to spend Shabbat together. Thank you to our generous hosts Drs Solomon, the Paster family, and Daniel and Shoshana Weisz for opening your homes and creating such meaningful experiences 🕯️

We’re heading into our final week feeling inspired, connected, and ready for a strong finish 🚀

Between destiny and chance ✨
In his reflection on Parshat Vayikra, Jonathan Sacks highlights the small aleph in the word Vayikra (“and He called”), showing the difference between seeing life as random (vayikar – “it happened”) and seeing life as a calling (vayikra – “He called”).

As he writes, “The difference between vayikra and vayikar is the difference between a life lived as a calling and a life lived as a series of chances.” This quote captures his central message: Judaism asks us to see our lives not as random events, but as something meaningful where we are called to respond, lead, and take responsibility. Destiny isn’t just what happens to us, but what we choose to do with what happens.

Especially in times of uncertainty, this feels like a powerful reminder that while we cannot always control our circumstances, we can always choose to answer the call with purpose, strength, and leadership 💙 Shabbat Shalom

What a week with JAcademy and FJL! ⭐️

From thought-provoking discussions to great food, inspiring speakers and plenty of fun, the past few days were packed with learning, connection and community.

We kicked off Monday with a BBQ dinner at Family Knopf 🍔 followed by an impact session with Rav Jonny exploring good vs. evil and truth vs. falsehood through the story of Adam and Eve. As always, we included davening for the IDF and Israel 🇮🇱

Tuesday we visited the Israeli Embassy, where Efrat Perri gave us a fascinating tour and answered our questions. That evening we had dinner with Tim Cowland, who shared insights from his professional journey alongside reflections on his Jewish path ✡️

Wednesday we heard from Ollie Anisfeld from JTV about sharing Jewish wisdom and advocating for Israel in today’s media landscape 🎙️ Dinner was with our incredible hosts Jerome and Shira Ormonde, where we learned about Jerome’s balance of business success and Torah learning — followed by a fun game of padel 🎾

Friday began with pre-Shabbat lechaims, singing and discussion with Rav Jonny, then Kabbalat Shabbat at JLE followed by lechaims with local young professionals. Friday night dinner at the Fromsons was unforgettable, including a fascinating talk from Hadassah, a s*x therapist and Yoetzet Halacha, about relationships.

Shabbat day continued with a beautiful kiddush at the Moradoff family, including another impact session with Rav Jonny and a conversation with Jonny Morodoff about his Jewish journey and business experiences. Lunch at the Newmans was warm and relaxed, with time outside resting, playing games, singing and talking

☀️ After a chill “siesta,” we gathered for seudah shlish*t and a guest talk from Rabbi Yaakov Klein, who shared his journey and connection to Chasidic thought and the teachings of Rabbi Nachman — concluding Shabbat with a beautiful singing havdalah 🕯️

After an incredible and meaningful Shabbat, the group is feeling inspired and ready for another full and impactful week ahead 💙

For only $250 /£250, join FJL’s new program, Next Chapter!

A 10 day experience in Israel where you will learn at institutions and hear from incredible speakers in conjunction with the Rabbi Sacks Legacy.

Interested in the program and would like to know more?

See the program’s website and FAQs in our bio.

📍 7-17 July 2026

FJL alumni know that FJL is more than just a summer in Tel Aviv — it’s a community, a leadership journey, and an experience that stays with you long after the program ends.

While the news in Israel has been on all of our minds lately, we remain hopeful for calmer days ahead and are continuing preparations for the summer. As of now, we expect the program to run as planned and look forward to the possibility of welcoming students for a safe and meaningful summer experience in Israel.

We are still accepting applications for final spots on the 🇺🇸 🇮🇱 USA Track of the FJL Summer Leadership Program in Tel Aviv, and we’d love for you to share the opportunity with someone in your life who would benefit from this experience.

🗓 June 11 – July 22, 2026

Learn more and apply:
jewish-leadership.com/tel-aviv-usa

A special message from Rabbi Effie Kleinberg on the resilience of Israel 🦁🇮🇱
A reminder that even in uncertainty, our unity, faith, and Shabbat peace keep us strong. 🕯️🕊️

Mi K’Amcha Yisrael ✡️

10 days in London and already so much to reflect on 🇬🇧✨

The first stretch of the FJL London Program with .info has been packed with learning, connection, and unforgettable experiences 🙌🏼 Hearing from inspiring business leaders, being welcomed so warmly into homes across the London Jewish community, and of course celebrating Purim together 🎭 it’s been an incredible start.

We kicked off with orientation and an FJL impact session with Rabbi Effie, followed by a truly British dinner of fish and chips 🐟🍟 The evening continued with an exceptional talk led by entrepreneurs Andrew and Karen Harris and ended with a London tradition - meaningful conversations at the pub 🍻

Thursday began with a special visit to Cambridge to explore ancient texts in the Cambridge Genizah 📜 Seeing the very same words we read this week in a Purim megillah from the 10th century was unforgettable! Next we went punting on the River Cam 🛶 before heading back to London for evening Purim learning hosted by the Ben-Yoav family.

Friday began with Pre Shabbat learning with Rabbi Effie, followed by a beautiful challah bake with Elisheva Newman, including prayers for Israel and IDF 🇮🇱🪖

Shabbat was truly special, spent with the incredible Edgware community. From pre-Shabbat lechaims 🥂, to Kabbalat Shabbat at Seed, to Friday night dinner with the Morhaim family, kiddush with the Meshulum family, lunch at the Rabsons and ending Shabbat with the Kalmus Family - the warmth of the community was overwhelming! ❤️‍🔥

Students also began their Internships this week, eager to contribute and learn at their new placements all over London 👩🏽‍💼👨🏽‍💼

Monday was filled with vibrant Purim celebrations 🎭👑 with Aish UK and UJS. The streets of Golders Green and Hendon came alive, culminating in an uplifting and energetic Purim seudah hosted by the Newman family.

We wrapped up the week hearing from Josh and Sam of YULife about their journeys building a startup, reminding us that success isn’t just about profit, but purpose. “The journey isn’t a step towards success - it is the success.” 👏🏼

We can’t wait to see what the rest of the program brings!