With $4.2 million raised to date, UJA Federation of New York has established the Ruskay Institute for Jewish Professional Leadership to help strengthen Jewish life and organizations throughout the community.

Named for John S. Ruskay – who stepped down early this summer after 15 years as CEO of UJA-Federation of New York – the Ruskay Institute for Jewish Professional Leadership is an investment in career development for emerging Jewish professionals in order to create a next generation of inspired, world-class, Jewish leaders.

To this end, the Institute will consist of formal, experiential and self-directed learning opportunities tailored for emerging professional leaders in Jewish communal organizations in the New York area. Participants will be nominated by employers and selected through a process designed to recruit a professional network representing a variety of professional disciplines and a cross section of agency settings.

In classes, retreats, and an overseas seminar, the Institute will be comprised of an integrated curriculum addressing nonprofit management, career development and a formal mentoring program. Planning is underway for nominations to open in Spring 2015 with the first group of 20-25 professionals to enter the program in Fall 2015.