Leading the Way: Bet Shalom’s Leadership Development Program is Building Tomorrow’s Leaders
By Stacy Levy
At Bet Shalom Congregation, leadership isn’t just about keeping the lights on—it’s about creating a vibrant, welcoming, and enduring community. The Leadership Development Program (LDP) is an essential part of this vision, offering members the tools and inspiration to shape the future of the congregation.
What is the Leadership Development Program?
The Leadership Development Program at Bet Shalom is designed to train and empower members ready to step into leadership roles. Over the course of nine months, participants build confidence, develop essential leadership skills, and deepen their understanding of the congregation’s history, values, and strategic goals.
In the 2023-2024 cohort, 11 participants embarked on this transformative journey. Through each of the sessions, they explored their personal strengths and grew in their ability to address Bet Shalom’s evolving challenges. Many graduates have already embraced leadership roles within the congregation—serving on committees, joining the Board of Trustees, and taking on new responsibilities that shape synagogue life.
Is the Program New?
Not exactly! While Bet Shalom has offered Leadership Development initiatives in the past, the program had been on hiatus for about a decade. In 2023, I had the privilege of reimagining and relaunching the program with a fresh curriculum, new ideas, and an exciting vision for the future. The goal was clear: build a new generation of leaders who will guide Bet Shalom with passion, purpose, and creativity.
A Personal Reflection on Creating the Program
Creating the new curriculum for the LDP was both a challenge and a rewarding experience. I wanted to draw upon my experiences as an alumnus of the Harry Kay Leadership Institute and bring some of the more valuable topics and activities to this group. I wanted to ensure the program would offer a comprehensive understanding of synagogue life, and also offer participants the opportunity to learn about themselves as leaders. I also wanted participants to leave feeling they were more a part of the Bet Shalom community than when they started. At times it felt like I was building the plane as I was flying, but ultimately I am so grateful to Rabbi Locketz, Adam Cohen, and Phil Ecker for their support of this program and for helping me to build a curriculum which I was proud to deliver.
One of the biggest challenges was identifying the right participants. I wanted to create a cohort that reflected the diversity and vitality of Bet Shalom, so I sought nominees from different backgrounds and experiences. Each participant was nominated based on their potential to contribute to the future of Bet Shalom—whether through their volunteer work, personal commitment, or readiness to take on a leadership role. The end result was a highly diverse cohort, ranging in age from mid-20s to 70s. It included people who had been Bet Shalom members their entire lives and some only about a year. Each participant had varied life and leadership experiences, bringing their own unique perspectives to our conversations.
The most gratifying part of the process was watching participants engage with the material and with each other. The LDP became a true community within a community, where members not only learned from each other but formed lasting relationships with one another.
What Do Participants Learn?
The program covers diverse topics, including:
Understanding individual strengths and core values: Each participant took a deep dive into their unique leadership styles and values, helping them become more self-aware and intentional in their roles.
Leading across generations: This important topic provided insight into how to foster intergenerational connections—something central to our congregation's long-term sustainability.
Relational Judaism: Participants explored how to build a sacred community, learning that leadership is about relationships, not just responsibilities.
Bet Shalom’s strategic framework: We gave participants a comprehensive understanding of our history, financials, and future goals.
Insight into the Board of Trustees: We explored the governance structures at Bet Shalom, helping participants understand how to effectively serve on the board or other leadership roles.
Community connections: Participants also explored the wider community network, engaging with other committees and initiatives at Bet Shalom.
Through these sessions, participants developed a 360-degree view of what it takes to lead effectively in a synagogue setting.
The 2023-2024 Cohort: Making an Impact
Let’s talk about the incredible people who made up the 2023-2024 cohort. Their commitment and passion have already begun to transform Bet Shalom in exciting ways.
For instance, Joel Feder, a lifelong member of Bet Shalom, was particularly drawn to the idea of creating a sacred community in a way that felt more accessible. Joel quickly started up a Small Group known as the Card Club, which gives members the opportunity to meet socially once a month in his home to play cards. This group has strengthened in numbers throughout the year and is even starting to talk about how they can expand the social aspect of their group to generate fundraising opportunities for Bet Shalom.
Mark Robbins, a newer member of the congregation, reinforced his deep commitment to Bet Shalom’s mission and values. He now serves on the Board of Trustees and the Finance committee, bringing his skills from many years of professional leadership experience to benefit the congregations.
These are just two examples of how LDP participants have already taken steps to impact the congregation. It’s inspiring to see them stepping into roles where their leadership potential is being realized.
Who Can Participate?
If you’ve ever thought, “I’d love to get more involved, but I’m not sure where to start,” this program could be the perfect opportunity for you. Leadership experience isn’t a prerequisite; the most important factor is a genuine desire to contribute to Bet Shalom’s growth and vibrancy.
Ideal candidates are nominated based on a variety of factors, including:
A history of volunteer work (either at Bet Shalom or elsewhere)
A commitment to embracing leadership roles after the program
Representation of the diversity Bet Shalom values in its community
A willingness to attend all sessions and engage fully
Most importantly, participants should share a vision for Bet Shalom’s future and a readiness to turn that vision into reality.
When’s the Next Opportunity?
Excited to join or nominate someone for the next cohort? Nominations are now open, with the program kicking off in September 2025. This is your chance to help shape Bet Shalom’s future, whether as a participant or by recommending someone you believe has leadership potential. Self-nominations are welcome and encouraged!! The program has already begun to leave a lasting impact on those who participated—and we look forward to welcoming a new group of leaders into the fold. Don’t miss your chance to lead the way!
For more information or to submit a nomination, contact Stacy Levy at selevy125@gmail.com.