FAQ

Imagine being a part of a carefully curated, access expanding cohort – a tight-knit, extraordinary family comprising of diverse, young leaders from different backgrounds, each bringing their own unique, passionate thinking to help solve the greatest challenges facing the Jewish community today.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles’ Community Leadership Institute provides young adults (ages 30-42) with robust leadership and philanthropic skill-building opportunities. CLI participants learn to leverage their motivation and passion to lead the future of our Jewish community.

CLI is highly experiential, requiring participants to engage with their cohort and stakeholders to push their own and each others’ boundaries across five core areas: 1) Jewish Journey and Literacy, 2) Personal Development, 3) Leadership Skills, 4) Philanthropy, 5) Governance. While expanding their individual and collective abilities to better understand their surroundings and themselves, participants will also gain new insight into the challenges facing the Greater Los Angeles Jewish community, solutions to those challenges, and how to better collaborate with others to make positive change and impact in their communities. As a community leadership program, participants will graduate ready to serve on nonprofit boards and committees and make an impact.

CLI’s proven model for Jewish community leadership development sets it apart. At the core of CLI’s programming is the belief that meaningful impact comes from collaboration across organizations with shared interest and dedication to the Jewish community. Participants gain exclusive insight and access to the Federation’s wealth of knowledge and experience in this work and the work of thousands of partners across Los Angeles.

CLI will simultaneously enhance the participants’ knowledge about themselves and others, about the opportunities and challenges facing the Greater Los Angeles Jewish community, and how they can individually, collectively as a network, and through organizations, impact and improve communities in a positive way.

The program is designed to be entirely in-person. The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles is committed to ensuring safe gatherings and programs. To participate in CLI, you must be fully vaccinated and willing to provide proof of vaccination upon request.

We understand that everyone is at a different place in their life, and we do not want the program’s costs or expected contribution to deter strong applicants from applying. Please apply, and should you be accepted, we will work closely with you to find a solution that works for all parties.

Applications are online and include basic background information, free response questions, a video prompt, and a resume. Select applicants will be invited to an interview, and final decisions will be announced in the following months.

Participants are expected to attend all components of the program including monthly sessions, retreats, board meetings at your residency, group project meetings, and the 10-day trip to Israel. We understand that unavoidable conflicts do arise so we encourage you to apply for the program, and we can address your concerns together should you be accepted.

If you will turn 30 sometime during the 15 months of the program, you are eligible to apply.

Otherwise, we’d love to connect you with other great opportunities at the Federation! E-mail us at CLI@JewishLA.org and we’d be more than happy to make some introductions and point you in the right direction.

Yes! If you’re 42 years old at the time of your application, you are eligible for the program.

Alumni of Federation leadership programs are not eligible to apply—don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions.