The curriculum is rooted in the belief that Judaism has its own distinct and insightful approaches to leadership. Through lectures, group work and individual mentoring led by Northwestern University and Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership faculty, as well as prominent nonprofit and business leaders in the Jewish community, participants will learn best practices drawn from contemporary leadership principles and classical Jewish texts and thought.
Participants who complete the program will be able to:
Analyze, explain, and model what it means to be an effective leader by drawing upon Jewish scholarship and classical texts and best practices.
Apply ethical principles based on Jewish traditions into daily leadership practices.
Demonstrate an understanding of key qualities of effective leadership based on contemporary leadership theory.
Develop a repertoire of supervisory, conflict resolution and change management skills.
Implement strategies and techniques for effective collaboration, team building and communication.
Synthesize what is learned in this program to solve problems within the participant's organization.
A Unique Partnership
Innovative Faith-based Program
In our rapidly accelerating world, we need leaders able to leverage the best practices of the past and present—and who have the skill to anticipate future needs. Powered by an exceptional faculty, a diverse and inspiring cohort of peers, and expert and forward-thinking coaches, the Certificate in Jewish Leadership provides the skills, insights, and network necessary to be the Jewish leader that our communities need and our times demand.”
— Dr. Dean P. Bell, President and CEO Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership
Certificate Requirements for Jewish Leadership
The curriculum is a four-module sequence offered online and at the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership in Chicago. Participants proceed through the curriculum as a cohort, which provides opportunities for peer learning and networking. Students must complete the entire program of study to earn a certificate.
Jewish Leadership Program Structure
The curriculum is a four-module sequence that takes place over a three-month period, either as two in-person seminars or as weekly, online courses.
Jewish Leadership Professional Coaching
Professional coaching is one of the unique and outstanding aspects of the program. Each participant receives a personalized leadership assessment and is matched with a professional coach. This individualization helps participants identify their leadership styles and build on their unique aptitudes.
Application Information for the Jewish Leadership Program
Find out more about Northwestern's Jewish Leadership Program
Contact Professional Development Team
The Professional Development Team at Northwestern University School of Professional Studies can be a resource to you for inquiries regarding our certificate programs.
Core Courses for the Jewish Leadership Program
Core Courses:
Course Detail
Models of Jewish Leadership : JW_LEAD 301-0
The first module introduces participants to leadership (as
opposed to management), and considers the best practices of
effective leadership. Participants complete self-assessments and
learn about the impact of leadership style. In this module, Jewish
leadership is defined and compared to leadership in the more
general context. Classical Jewish teachings and experiences drawn
from Jewish communal history are examined for what they can tell us
about the notions and development of Jewish leadership models.
Finally, participants build a competency model for the program,
identifying a range of competencies to acquire based on Jewish
leadership principles, and are introduced to the concept and
practice of professional mentoring. The integration of classical
Jewish thought and texts with professional best practices will be
introduced as a signature of the program and all subsequent
modules.
There is no available section.
Communications for Leaders : JW_LEAD 302-0
Participants explore their own communication style and gain
skills in adapting to others' styles for effective communication.
Participants gain experience in constructively receiving and
providing feedback. They learn techniques to improve listening and
critical thinking skills, and the ability to pose useful questions.
There is also a focus on preparing for and facilitating difficult
conversations.
There is no available section.
Collaboration & Power Sharing : JW_LEAD 303-0
In this module, participants learn about the value of
collaboration for personal and organizational performance. They are
introduced to a diversity of tools and practices that foster and
improve collaboration. They learn to better manage conflict, build
teams, broker lay-professional relations, and engage others.
Effective supervision in a variety of contexts will be discussed.
This module stresses the importance of gaining and applying
knowledge of colleagues and staff members in order to maximize
their strengths and skills. Participants are asked to apply
collaboration skills acquired in the module to their current
professional context. Classical Jewish texts will be examined in
considering effective collaboration, with particular emphasis on
the notion of shared power.
There is no available section.
Leading People through Change JW_LEAD 305-0
Leaders must understand the past, engage with present
conditions, and develop and chart a course for the future. This
module helps participants develop skills in problem finding. It
also introduces participants to best practices for visioning,
planning (including succession planning), and change management. To
support strategic development, participants will learn to develop
operational systems, conduct environmental scans, develop
evaluation tools and implement evaluation processes. Classical
Jewish texts as well as contemporary Jewish organizational and
communal concerns will be examined in considering the most
effective means for leaders to plan and execute for the
future.success
