The DEEP Consortium’s annual convening at The Shefa School brought together leading practitioners from across its 25 member organizations to explore building cultures of High-Quality Professional Development (HQPD) and measuring impact in Jewish day schools. Grounded in educator insight and field-wide data, the gathering highlighted The Shefa School as a model of HQPD in action and advanced a shared commitment to supporting teachers in fostering meaningful, curiosity-driven Jewish learning.

"Philanthropy can do more, and do it better, when it is informed by shared learning, grounded in data and field expertise, and capitalized on through funder collaborations."

That's the animating idea behind the JFN Jewish Day School Affinity Group — and it's what Amy Schlussel, the group's manager, explores in her recent piece for Prizmah's HaYidion journal. Amy traces how the affinity group, spearheaded by the Mayberg Foundation alongside UnitEd, the Beker Foundation, and 10 other funders, is working to move Jewish day school philanthropy from fragmented investment toward coordinated, strategic action. As an organization that believes deeply in the power of collective effort, Amy's piece offers helpful framing for why the collaborative investment approach we're building together matters — and where it can lead.

Read From Momentum to Movement: Aligning Philanthropy Around Our Schools here

A new report from the Mayberg Foundation's Jewish Outreach Professional Development initiative sheds light on what it really takes to build a lasting, fulfilling career in Jewish outreach — and what the field needs to do to better support the people doing this vital work. Based on 17 in-depth interviews with standout practitioners from M54/Chabad, Olami, Aish, and NCSY, the findings point to three traits that define thriving, long-term careers, and make the case that Jewish outreach deserves to be recognized — and resourced — as the demanding profession it is.

The Mayberg Foundation has appointed Naftali Ejdelman as senior program officer to manage grantmaking portfolios that focus on Jewish education and Israel advocacy. Naftali brings a deep understanding of the diversity of Klal Yisrael and a wealth of experience partnering with educational and communal organizations across the Jewish spectrum.

JEIC’s 2026 Innovators Retreat convened educators, leaders, and partners from across the Jewish day school landscape for three days of learning, reflection, and forward-thinking conversation. Set against the backdrop of rapid technological change, the retreat focused on one central question: how can Jewish education thoughtfully engage emerging tools like AI while staying rooted in its deepest values?

Launched in late spring 2026, MyZuzah’s Israel Pilot is turning doorposts across communities throughout Israel into points of deep personal connection, reaching those rebuilding from recent trauma—injured soldiers, victims of October 7, widows and orphans, and individuals who have lost their homes or businesses in the wars with Iran. For them, the mezuzah becomes a tangible symbol of renewal, helping restore a sense of home, stability, and meaning when it is needed most.

Sunflower Bakery has become the exclusive kosher provider for the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Café, a milestone that expands the museum’s culinary offerings while showcasing the professional talents of individuals with disabilities from Sunflower’s Culinary Arts program.

The Jewish Outreach Professional Development pilot program is currently mapping a 20-year "best-case" career path for practitioners to define how they thrive at every stage. Facilitated by Stephen Markowitz, this initiative analyzes the key dimensions of confidence, competence, motivation, and relevance to create a shared framework for professional success that will be presented at an upcoming wider gathering.

In his eJewishPhilanthropy op-ed, OpenDor Media Executive Vice President Noam Weissman argues that scaling Jewish literacy, rather than relying on temporary identity experiences, is the essential blueprint for ensuring the next generation truly owns their story.

At the Jewish Funders Network (JFN) International Conference in San Diego, Mayberg Foundation trustees Manette and Louis Mayberg and senior staff members connected with funders and foundation professionals from across the Jewish spectrum. Together they engaged in meaningful mutual learning and strategic exploration of the most pressing issues shaping the Jewish future through the lens of effective, values-driven philanthropy.

In a recent episode of the 40 Mystics podcast, Mayberg Foundation partners Rabbi Benjy Levy and Rabbi David Aaron discuss how a mystical understanding of God can provide a more relatable and intimate approach to Jewish life, offering practical insights into having a more meaningful, lived connection with Jewish values.