A high-level leaders’ course named after Jeremy Spinak
The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies has launched its inaugural Jeremy Spinak Young Leaders Program.
An intensive seven-week course designed to identify, train and support emerging political and communal young adult leaders, the program consists of a series of workshops, encounters, tours and meetings providing participants with the tools, networks and resources to realise their leadership potential.
It has been named in honour of Jeremy Spinak, the past president of the Board of Deputies, who believed in creating a pathway for emerging leaders and passed away last November aged 36.
“The program brings together a select group of individuals from diverse backgrounds and exposes them to inspiring speakers and experts in diverse areas,” Board of Deputies president Lesli Berger said. “We are gratified at the calibre of participants of this inaugural program, which is about developing the leaders of today for tomorrow.”
The first session was held at Parliament House and sponsored by Natalie Ward MLC, Chair of the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Israel. Participants examined the political and parliamentary process and heard from guest speakers including Jamie Parker MP, Gabrielle Upton MP and the Hon Walt Secord MLC, as well as Will Nemesh.
“The program has provided me with a set of skills and expertise that equips me to more effectively give back to the community, implement communal projects and strategies, and develop my capacity for leadership on the Board of Deputies executive,” said participant Josh Moses, who was elected to the Board of Deputies executive in last month’s elections.
The second session was held in the NSW Jewish War Memorial building and Sydney Jewish Museum, with participants discussing the Jewish community, including its history, organisational make-up, strengths and future challenges. Guest speakers included Julian Leeser MP, who discussed the importance of communal and political involvement, and Peter Philippsohn, who spoke about how the communal allocation of resources are decided.
Some of the participants will share their experiences on the program at the November 19 plenum, which will be dedicated to Jeremy Spinak, who passed away from a rare form of cancer.