DREAMING BIGGER
Inspiring Future Jewish Teen Leaders
THE CONTEXT
Dreaming Bigger is the next frontier in teen leadership development to help shape the legacy of the greatest asset of the Jewish people: its emerging leaders.
This site will provide tools to empower Jewish teen leaders and those that work with them, including masterclasses, a comprehensive book, a complimentary guide for parents, educators, and those who work with teens, conversation cards, animated clips, source sheets, and a broader platform to continue conversations and start new ones.
THE CONTENT
The following are a few of the topics we will cover in our resources.
TELLING YOUR JEWISH STORY
Supplying the tools to create a meaningful Jewish narrative – the highs, lows, successes and conflicts – and how and where to share.
SACRED LISTENING
There are different types of listening. We challenge leaders who are good at talking to take a back seat and be better listeners.
COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY
Receive practical tips for public speaking, writing more cogent emails, thank you notes and persuasive speeches and optimizing social media so your message has more meaning.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Leaders can be peace makers or stir more conflict, depending on the kind of change that is required in a given situation. We will talk about methods that can be helpful when facing serious issues of difference.
GOAL SETTING
Sometimes we set goals for a day and sometimes for years from today. We will examine some of the most effective ways to set goals and stick to them.
TIME MANAGEMENT
With so much to do at school and after, it can be hard to get it all done. Our recommendations offer a helpful framework for managing the only thing we can never get back: the time we have already spent.
DEALING WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE
As a leader, people are your greatest asset and your greatest challenge, especially those who are difficult. We will define and categorize different kinds of relationship challenges and, using contemporary leadership literature, offer some ways forward.
GIVING AND RECEIVING FEEDBACK
Successful leaders know how to give it and take it. We will talk about different types of feedback and how to give it in ways that empower rather than diminish others.
FUNDRAISING BASICS
Emerging leaders can benefit from some fundraising guidelines to help them execute programs and support causes that matter to them.
These topics are but a few among many that will complement the knowledge in dealing with the following: taking the lead against antisemitism, including Israel in one's leadership, the importance of inclusivity and diversity, Tikkun Olam, and more.
THE CREATORS
DR. ERICA BROWN
Dr. Erica Brown is the director of the Mayberg Center for Jewish Education and Leadership and an associate professor of curriculum and pedagogy at The George Washington University. Erica was a Jerusalem Fellow, is a faculty member of the Wexner Foundation, an Avi Chai Fellow and the recipient of the 2009 Covenant Award for her work in education. She is the author of twelve books on leadership, the Hebrew Bible and spirituality; her newest book is The Book of Esther: Power, Fate and Fragility in Exile (Koren). She has been published in the New York Times, The Atlantic, Tablet, First Things, and The Jewish Review of Books and wrote a monthly column for the New York Jewish Week. She has blogged for Psychology Today, Newsweek/Washington Post’s “On Faith” and JTA and tweeted on one page of Talmud study a day at Dr.EricaBrown.
Erica has degrees from Yeshiva University, University of London, Harvard University and Baltimore Hebrew University. She previously served as the scholar-in-residence at Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Boston and as the community scholar for the Jewish Center of New York. She currently serves as a community scholar for Congregation Etz Chaim in Livingston, NJ.
RABBI DR. BENJI LEVY
Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy is the founding partner of Israel Impact Partners, which works with funders to accelerate the growth of the non-profits they care about. Rabbi Benji served as CEO of Mosaic United, a historic joint venture partnership between Israel and global Jewry to strengthen Jewish identity and connections to Israel for youth around the world. Previously he served as the Dean of Moriah College in Sydney, Australia, one of the largest Jewish schools in the world with over 1,800 pre-kindergarten through high school students and 300 staff. There he led a renaissance in Jewish education, revitalizing many of the existing programs and founding many new initiatives.
Rabbi Benji was named as one of three top global change-makers working for Diaspora Jewry by Makor Rishon, and awarded ‘Educator of the Year’ by JNF for his leadership and service to the Australian Jewish community. He received an Australian Postgraduate Award for his research in Jewish identity. Rabbi Benji has a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Sydney and rabbinic ordination following his study at Yeshivat Har Etzion. He was awarded First Class Honors in Jewish Civilization Thought & Culture, has a BA in Media and Communications from the University of Sydney, as well as an Education degree from Herzog College.