The Forum for Jewish Leadership (FJL) is dedicated to identifying, inspiring and training a new generation of intellectually curious young Jews, providing them with the skills and confidence to be effective, committed leaders of the Jewish community and beyond.
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We Believe
In the significance of Jewish ideas applied to all areas of contemporary living whether in the fields of ethics, law or effective leadership.
That engaging the most talented and ambitious young Jews is key to cultivating a strong and dedicated leadership base.
That this level of engagement can only be achieved by offering highly attractive and relevant courses and programmes, that combine meaningful content, mentoring and network opportunities.
Activity Worldwide
As well as our flagship internship programmes, we have a committed alumni base which provide a wealth of experience, connections and opportunities to help young Jews achieve their potential. FJL staff, together with their partners, offer regular events and programmes to continue the exposure and inspiration to engage further.
FJL Team
Ben Thwaites
Director
Ben read Law at University College London before working at Herbert Smith until 2012. He spent four years in higher Jewish learning in Israel, and has been involved in community and leadership projects such as UCL Jsoc President, Ner Yisrael Youth Director, Har Etzion British Alumni Programmes Co-ordinator and informal educator for Immanuel College and Hasmonean. In his spare time, Ben continues to practice law and is the General Counsel for a number of Jewish charities, as well as running a family investment fund.
Rabbi Dr. Effie Kleinberg
Educational Director
Rabbi Dr. Effie Kleinberg serves as Senior Educator and Program Director at Forum for Jewish Leadership and affiliated Jewish Futures Trust organizations focused on developing the next generation of ambitious future Jewish leaders around the globe. Rabbi Kleinberg holds a Masters in Education, Semicha and a Doctorate in Educational Technology from Yeshiva University. Rabbi Kleinberg worked as a Jewish educator in North America before making aliyah. He currently resides with his family in Ra’anana, Israel.
Sandra Nagioff
UK Project Co-ordinator
Sandra grew up in Essex and has worked in the Jewish charity sector most of her working life. She organised trips and events for the Community Security Trust and Norwood, working with Jewish community leaders such as Gerald Ronson, Richard Harrington MP and Richard Desmond. Sandra currently lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and son and is crucial part of the FJL team bringing extensive experience in arranging and delivering FJL programmes.
Yocheved Back
Jewish Futures Project Manager
Yocheved has organized countless Israel trips, and she is passionate about making sure participants have the greatest experience. Although much of Yocheved's work is done behind the scenes, she is accompanying the program experiences every step of the way. Originally from Cleveland, Yocheved now lives in beautiful Ramat Beit Shemesh with her husband and five chidlren.
Gabi Weber
I am originally from Johannesburg, South Africa. I have had the privilege of living in Jerusalem for the last 4 years. I graduated in 2017 with a degree in Organisational Psychology and Sociology. I worked for a Jewish Outreach Organization for the last 5 years called Ohrsom Student and have a passion for working with people, logistics, development and encouraging holistic growth in peoples lives.
Partner Educators
As part of FJL’s international network, we work with a number of highly talented and experienced educators.
Ms. Raizy Chechik
Rabbi Moshe Friedman
FJL UK Senior Educator
Mrs. Shalvie Friedman
Board
Lauren Breslauer
Non-Profit Consultant
Adrian Cohen
Partner, Clifford Chance.
Jonathan Fisher QC
Bright Line Law
Chani Hirsch
Chief Operating Officer, Windmill Hill Asset Management
Dr. Leya Landau
Professor of English Literature, NYU London
Senator Joseph I. Lieberman
Former US Senator for Connecticut
Moe Mernick
Author and Entrepreneur
Rabbi Mitchell Rocklin
Resident Research Fellow at Tikvah Fund
Rabbi Naftali Schiff
Vice-President, Trustee of FJL
Dr Asher Steene
Principal at Boston Consulting Group
Dr. Kenneth R. Weinstein
CEO and President, The Hudson Institute
Raizi Chechik
Head of Manhattan Day School
Rabbi Joseph Dweck
Senior Rabbi of the S&P Sephardi Community
Clive Freedman QC
High Court Juddge
Malcolm Hoenlein
Executive Vice-Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
Rabbi Dr Benji Levy
Co-founder of Israel Impact Partners
Dalia Meshulam
Consultant
Rabbi Andrew Savage
CEO of OpenDor Media, Trustee of FJL
Rabbi Josh Spinner
Executive Vice President and CEO of The Ronald S. Lauder Foundation
Romie Tager QC
Head of Chambers, Selborne Chambers
Justine Zwerling
Head of Primary Markets, Israel at the London Stock Exchange
The Late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
Founding Honorary President and Visionary Guide