JCCs around the world will partner for the first time as part of the JCC Global’s Amitim 2.0-Fellows: A Global Leadership Network program. The JCCs officially launched the partnership at the JCC Global World Conference in Tarrytown last week.

The Amitim 2.0-Fellows is a three-year Global Leadership Network program that brings Jewish Peoplehood concepts and programs to the next generation of JCCs worldwide and expands the global network of Jewish leaders and JCCs.

As part of the program, NY’s 14th Street Y will partner with the Maale Yosef Community Center, in Israel; the Redbridge Jewish Community Centre, London; the Athens Jewish Community, Greece; and the Lamroth Hakol JCC, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Also partnering will be the JCC Manhattan with the Migvanim: Ramat Hasharon Community Centers, Israel; the Oshman Family JCC, Palo Alto, Calif.; and the JCC Krakow, Poland.

The fellowships allow the JCCs to gain a global Jewish perspective, learn about Jews in other communities and nurture their sense of responsibility for the Jewish people worldwide. Participants will also build long-term relationships between the JCCs to strengthen their respective Jewish Community Centers. Ultimately, Amitim 2.0 aims to allow Jews in different countries to connect, break down stereotypes and build bridges of understanding and support.

The JCC Global conference convened 110 Fellows from 53 JCCs in 15 countries, who participated in an in-depth process to meet global partners and programs. As part of this process, they engaged in speed dating – intense networking – in order to find global partners.

Funding for the Global Fellowship Programs comes from JCC Global and from a grant allocated by UJA-Federation of New York. The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and participating JCCs are also supporting the program.