National Young Leadership Cabinet
Founded in 1963, National Young Leadership Cabinet is Jewish Federations of North America’s (JFNA) premier young leadership development program. Through a five-year curriculum, Cabinet inspires and trains promising young volunteers ages 30-40 for future Jewish community leadership positions.
There are over 400 current members and 4,200 alumni across North America. All members are offered personalized training opportunities to broaden their viewpoints and acquire the skills necessary to put their passion for Jewish life and community into action.
By connecting participants from across the nation, NYLC creates a network of young leaders who can support and collaborate with each other, building lifelong connections that can mobilize collective action for the global Jewish community.
Membership
To be eligible for membership, Cabinet candidates must:
- Be between ages 30-40 in the year they apply
- Contribute a minimum of $5,000 annually to Federation
- Demonstrate an interest and passion for leadership in their community
- Be eager for future growth
In addition to being nominated by a Federation professional, candidates must complete an application stating why they want to participate in this program. After an interview process, candidates are accepted on a rolling basis from March through June.
Cabinet’s Core Program
- Summer Retreat: A 5-6 day learning and development experience that showcases the Federation movement. Members pledge to their local Federation’s annual campaign through a powerful caucus experience.
- International Mission: Each year, JFNA offers Cabinet members an immersive mission experience to learn about and participate in the international and humanitarian work done by JFNA and its partners. Cabinet members have visited nearly every corner of the globe. Members are encouraged to attend at least one during their five years. The mission is a highlight of the Cabinet experience.
- Domestic Missions and Experiences: An advocacy mission focused on JFNA’s work in Washington, DC. A civil rights mission in Alabama. Learning about the full breadth of the North American Jewish community in Mexico City. A Cabinet Shabbaton in Los Angeles. Those are just a few examples of the layered development approach that meaningfully connects members to communities across the national movement.
- Distance Learning: Members have opportunities to participate in virtual learning throughout the year, building on the curriculum delivered through in-person experiences.
- Mentorship and the Alumni Network: All Cabinet members have the opportunity to engage with Cabinet alumni during and after the program when they join a distinct group of 4,000-plus former members representing 195 communities across North America. More than 60% of the JFNA Board of Trustees are Cabinet alumni.
- Applied Local Leadership: For the first three years, Cabinet members will use the knowledge and skills they gain in an applied setting on the local level. During years 4 and 5, they will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned to make a positive impact on their Federation.
Cabinet attracts the best and brightest – individuals seeking to enrich their lives and the Jewish community by becoming leaders in a global philanthropic movement.
Applications for new members are open each year from March – June.
