Mazel Tov to the Graduates!
Last week, Jewish Silicon Valley had the honor of participating in two commencement ceremonies as part of our ongoing commitment to lifelong learning.
On April 7, J Leaders celebrated their 22 J Leader Academy graduating fellows in the APJCC Auditorium.
J Leaders Academy is a cohort-based leadership program for Jewish young adults interested in developing personal and professional leadership abilities, becoming more engaged in the Jewish community, and making an impact both locally and globally.
Jewish Silicon Valley’s own Rabbi Hugh Seid-Valencia, who co-facilitates the J Leaders Academy and is a member of the J Leaders Board of Advisors, knows the importance of inspiring young Jewish Leaders. “J Leaders allows us to bring a lens of Jewish wisdom and values and create a lifelong community of Jewish young adults and Jewish Silicon Valley is proud to continue our support.”
The 6-month Academy empowers Jewish young adults through engagement with world-class leadership experts and developing meaningful relationships with their other fellows. Graduates join the J Leaders alumni community with opportunities for mentorship, additional learning opportunities, community project mini grants, and networking events.
“Jewish Silicon Valley has supported J Leaders from the beginning,” said Peter Hoffman, J Leaders Founder and CEO. “The financial and programmatic support from Jewish Silicon Valley continues to be instrumental in J Leader’s work in inspiring and supporting Jewish young adults.”
To date, there have been 82 J Leader Academy graduates from four cohorts.
“Sunday’s commencement is a springboard, not a finish line,” added Hoffman. “We’re confident these J Leaders graduates will make a lasting and positive impact on the Jewish and larger world.”
Click here to learn more about J Leaders.
On April 9, Jewish Silicon Valley honored their Silicon Valley Introduction to Judaism graduates.The 6-month course, taught by five rabbis, from four different synagogues (Congregation Sinai, Temple Emanu El, Congregation Shir Hadash, and Congregation Beth David) and Jewish Silicon Valley, presents an overview of major aspects of Judaism, including practice, belief, and history. Students were exposed to Jewish thought and practice through lectures, class discussions, and readings, through real-world experiences.
“In these challenging times for Jewish communities, I draw strength from the genuine enthusiasm for Jewish learning so many participants bring to their Introduction to Judaism experience and I’m proud to co-teach this class with such a stellar group of rabbinic colleagues,” said Rabbi Hugh Seid-Valencia.
One of this weeks’ graduates writes, “I look forward to getting more involved in the Jewish community here in Silicon Valley. I had lost touch with pieces of my Jewish identity but through this class, I feel reconnected and prouder than ever to be Jewish.”
To learn more about the Silicon Valley Introduction to Judaism course, as well as the other courses offered by Jewish Silicon Valley, visit: here or email [email protected].
