New Year, New Na’aleh

The start of a new year is always a threshold moment—a chance to take stock of where we’ve been and to set our sights on what’s ahead. In this season of renewal, Na’aleh is rededicating itself to being your trusted partner for leadership growth in Baltimore. 

In my first few months as Executive Director of Na’aleh, I have learned some powerful lessons about leadership that feel especially relevant as we step into this new year together: 

• Leadership is collective. We need every voice at the table—our community is strongest when all perspectives are included.  

• The work is within reach. Leadership growth doesn’t require perfection or waiting for the “right” moment—each one of us has the capacity to lead in meaningful ways.  

• Threshold moments call us to responsibility. They open the door to transformation—challenging us to grow, improve, and lead with renewed purpose. 

These lessons shape everything we do at Na’aleh. They guide the programs and opportunities we create so that, wherever you are on your leadership journey, you can find the next step that’s right for you. Take a glimpse at some of the offerings coming up this year to support your leadership growth:  

• Deepen Dialogue – Gain tools for navigating difference at Beyond Dispute: Leadership Through Dialogue. 

• Communal Conversations – Gather with the community to confront some of the greatest leadership challenges facing Jewish life today at the Shoshana S. Cardin Leadership Symposium. 

• Strengthen Boards – Participate in Board Essentials workshops for executives and board leaders. 

• Grow Together – Connect with peers in Communities of Practice designed for professionals leading cohorts or engagement work. 

• Build Skills – Drop into The Professional Playbook, our every-other-month workshops for Jewish communal professionals. Upcoming topics include strengthening your professional presence, leveraging AI to work smarter, and navigating feedback with confidence. 

• Connect with Colleagues – Learn and recharge together in an informal, energizing setting at Midday Mingle. 

• Lead with Impact – Enroll in Elevate: The Coach Approach for Supervisors to strengthen how you mentor and guide others. 

• Spark Reflection – Use the EVOLVE: Leadership Growth Deck as your personal leadership coach, on your own or with your team. 

• Find Guidance – Participate in Mentorship Opportunities, either as a mentee or mentor. 

• Share Leadership – Join Presidents’ Circles, confidential peer spaces for agency, organizational, and synagogue presidents. 

• Learn Best Practices – Attend The Leadership Lounge, designed for professionals who staff boards and committees. 

• Clarify Your Path – Work directly with the Na’aleh professional team through 1:1 Consulting and Coaching. 

• Strengthen Partnerships – Explore workshops that foster stronger collaboration between professionals and volunteer leaders. 

Wherever you are on your journey—whether you’re a seasoned board chair, an emerging professional, or simply curious about what it means to lead—Na’aleh offers the tools, spaces, and relationships to support your growth. 

This is a new year, and a new Na’aleh. Reach out to start your leadership journey—your next step is within reach. 

-Dr. Susanna Garfein, Executive Director of Na’aleh: The Hub for Leadership Learning