Mayberg Foundation Fuels Professional Growth Across the Jewish Outreach Ecosystem

Over the past several years, the Mayberg Foundation has prioritized initiatives designed to strengthen and sustain the Jewish professional ecosystem. Our support of the Jewish Education Innovation Challenge (JEIC)/Prizmah partnership is bolstering the pipeline of Jewish day school educators, while the DEEP Consortium, a program of JEIC, is delivering high-quality, targeted professional development for Jewish day school teachers at all career stages. Most recently, under the leadership of Managing Director Amanda Mizrahi, we launched the Jewish Outreach Professional Development pilot program—a collaborative effort with partner organizations to nurture the leaders who foster Jewish connection worldwide.

Barry Finestone, president and CEO of the Jim Joseph Foundation, recently underscored the urgency of supporting the individuals who form the backbone of Jewish life and learning in his article, “The crisis we’re ignoring: Who’s caring for the people who hold up the Jewish world?” As he rightly observes, “the people holding up the Jewish world are running on fumes.” This challenge has long been central to our work, and it continues to guide our investments and partnerships.

Advancing Professional Development Through Strategic Partnerships

Our Professional Development Pilot Program is already yielding meaningful progress. Together with our partners, we are making strategic hires and facilitating critical conversations about the needs of the Jewish professional workforce. This work is essential to ensuring that leaders and educators in our community have the support, training, and recognition they deserve.

1. NCSY: Elevating Talent Development

Jon Ackerman, NCsy’s new Talent Development Manager

A notable example of this progress is reflected in NCSY’s recent investment in talent development. In July 2025, NCSY welcomed Jon Ackerman as Talent Development Manager. With over two decades of experience within the organization, Jon is uniquely positioned to enhance onboarding, mentorship, and professional growth processes. Jon is “integral to improving the overall employee experience, helping staff excel in the roles they were hired for, strengthening heart and soft skills, and aligning their growth with the leadership and capabilities most needed for the Jewish people today,” said Rabbi Jonah Lerner, NCSY’s managing director for strategy and development.

NCSY is also expanding training for City Directors—whose roles resemble those of small business owners—enabling them to operate more effectively and deliver “Torah-rooted impact” to teens and communities. Plans are also underway to relaunch a certificate program for women at NCSY, empowering them to deepen their Torah learning and translate that knowledge into meaningful leadership with teens.

2. Elevating the Dialogue

Hashlucha Chanie Chein, CEO and co-founder of M54

We are proud to highlight the leadership of Hashlucha Chanie Chein, CEO and co-founder of M54 and a participant in our pilot program. In a recent article published by eJewishPhilanthropy, Chanie emphasized the importance of reflection and support for Jewish leaders—a message that resonates deeply with the core purpose of our pilot: nurturing and sustaining those who inspire and connect others in the Jewish world. Read For Jewish leaders, sustainable growth starts by looking inward

3. New Opportunity: Project Facilitator and Manager RFP

As our pilot program enters its next phase, the Mayberg Foundation is seeking a Project Facilitator and Manager to coordinate and expand this collaborative initiative into an independent project. This role will focus on strengthening collaboration among partner organizations, developing shared resources, facilitating ongoing meetings, and helping to shape the long-term vision for cross-organizational professional development.

Proposals are due by September 29, 2025. Interested candidates may review the full RFP and submission instructions here or contact Amanda Mizrahi for further information.

By supporting those who share our mission of proliferating Jewish wisdom and values, we are making Jewish life and learning accessible and meaningful for every member of our community.