Female leaders in the Jewish community will have a new opportunity for inspiration, thanks to the launch of the Hadassah Leadership Fellows (HLF) program this month. HLF will offer participants from across the country a chance to learn from prominent leaders in the Jewish community in the United States and Israel while building upon their own potential as leaders in the business, education and nonprofit worlds in addition to in their communities back home.

Among the 25 Fellows taking part in the new program are lawyers, journalists, businesswomen, students and community lay leaders. The group spans numerous generations, with dedication to their local Jewish communities serving as a common bond – many are life members of Hadassah and all have spent time working with various Jewish organizations, including B’nai B’rith, local Jewish Federations, Young Judaea and the Anti-Defamation League.

The first meeting of the Hadassah Leadership Fellows took place in New York on Sunday, December 8th. The Fellows met with members of the Hadassah organization while delving into the mission and goals of Hadassah, including those of Zionism and volunteerism. The Fellows had the opportunity to discuss how they will personalize the program to best serve their home communities. Subsequent meetings will take participants on a mission to Israel and on an advocacy trip to Washington, D.C., among other seminars.

Members of the Fellows program come from across the country, including from New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. In the second year of the program, Fellows will have an opportunity to join newly established Impact Boards with an eye toward developing vehicles of change. These Impact Boards will focus on four categories – Women’s Health and Medical Research; Venture Capitalism; Public Policy; and Social Justice.