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.
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.
Effie Kleinberg
Educational Director
Effie grew up in Toronto and received his MA in Jewish Education, Semicha, and Doctorate in Educational Technology at Yeshiva University.
He taught Talmud and Jewish Thought at a number of high schools in New York and Toronto, and served as an OU-JLIC campus educator for University students.
Effie and his family recently moved to Israel, where he will continue his work with Jewish students and institutions around the world.
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.
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
Raizi Chechik
Head of Manhattan Day School
Rabbi Joseph Dweck
Senior Rabbi of the S&P Sephardi Community
Clive Freedman QC
Littleton Chambers
Malcolm Hoenlein
Executive Vice-Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
Senator Joseph I. Lieberman
Former US Senator for Connecticut
Dr. Alan Mendoza
Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Henry Jackson Society
Dr. Leya Landau
Professor of English Literature NYU London
Rabbi Dr Benji Levy
Co-founder of Israel Impact Partners
Dalia Meshulam
Consultant
Moe Mernick
Author and Entrepreneur
Rabbi Andrew Savage
Director for Germany of the Ronald S Lauder Foundation, Trustee of FJL
Romie Tager QC
Head of Chambers, Selborne Chambers
Rabbi Mitchell Rocklin
Resident Research Fellow at Tikvah Fund
Rabbi Josh Spinner
Executive Vice President and CEO of The Ronald S. Lauder Foundation
Asher Steene
Management Consultant at BCG, Trustee of FJL
Dr. Kenneth R. Weinstein
CEO and President, The Hudson Institute
Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
Honorary President
Rabbi Naftali Schiff
Vice-President, Trustee of FJL