From Vision to Impact: NCSY Retreat Showcases Impact of Jewish Outreach Professional Development

Last week, NCSY’s Managers Accelerator 2026 retreat in New York City marked another step in implementing the work of the Mayberg Foundation’s Jewish Outreach Professional Development pilot cohort. Building on the momentum of the Foundation’s pilot program launched in 2024, the retreat brought together NCSY’s mid-level regional managers for two days of hands-on learning, peer connection, and leadership growth—demonstrating an ongoing commitment to enhancing Jewish outreach efforts by supporting the personal and professional development of those dedicated to this vital work.

Participants got to learn from seasoned professionals, including the OU’s executive vice president, Rabbi Josh Joseph, EDd about management fundamentals, as well as interactive workshops led by other NCSY and OU executives about feedback, coaching, and leading Gen Z. The retreat reflected the core values of the foundation’s initiative: practical skill-building, mentorship, and a commitment to elevating every connector in the field.

Amanda Mizrahi, the Mayberg Foundation’s managing director and a driving force behind the program, joined the retreat and, at an intimate dinner at Wall Street Grill, framed the evening’s discussion for the group, highlighting the importance of their work and the OU and Mayberg Foundation’s commitment to making sure they had the best possible tools at their disposal to be successful.

“It was rewarding to see the Jewish Outreach Professional Development pilot program’s impact firsthand and connect with professionals who are doing this work every day,” Amanda said. “Getting to hear from them directly about what kinds of support they do and do not need was invaluable.”

Jon Ackerman, NCSY’s Talent Development Manager, captured the essence of the experience, expressing pride in the cohort’s energy, dedication, and genuine determination to grow in a LinkedIn post following the retreat. “This cohort showed up ready to learn, ready to stretch, and ready to lead,” he shared. Ackerman highlighted the group’s collective commitment—not just to learning, but to putting new skills into practice in their communities.

“A special thank you to Rabbi Jonah Lerner [National Managing Director of Strategy and Development for NCSY] for empowering and challenging our group in all the right ways, and to Amanda Mizrahi and the Mayberg Foundation for not only powering this initiative, but for supporting, listening, and providing deeply meaningful feedback so that we can constantly grow and improve!”

As NCSY managers return to their communities, the retreat marks another step forward in nurturing the ongoing growth of Jewish outreach professionals. As more participating organizations invest in professional development, opportunities for connection, shared learning, and field-wide advancement continue to expand—benefiting both the Jewish outreach professionals and the communities they serve.