Testimonials
Both sessions were fabulous and inspired our leaders, both lay and professional, to lead from a Jewish perspective, based on our tradition, which makes their leadership so much more meaningful and effective. Thank you for taking the time to be with us and we will definitely keep you in mind for future endeavors.
-- Cindy Goldstein
Executive Director
The Darrell D. Friedman Institute for Professional Development
Baltimore, MD
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The room at Brandeis University was filled to capacity with leaders from the Jewish community, organization consultants, faculty, and graduate students preparing to become professional communal leaders. Purposefully and intelligently, Hal Lewis worked with us through a range of texts, soliciting our views and leading us to consider models of leadership that challenge current operating modes. It was a provocative undertaking, one that drew out opinions and sparked conversation. As with the best of educational events, the conversations are continuing long past the formal session.
-- Amy L. Sales, Ph.D.
Director
Fisher-Bernstein Institute for Jewish Philanthropy and Leadership
Brandeis University
Professor Hal Lewis effectively engaged the varied staff of CJP in thinking about their role as leaders within the organizations. It was clear to all that leadership was not simply defined by position but something that we can each take on as we seek to improve the federation and strengthen the Jewish community. Moreover, discussions among the staff continued after the session as the participants sought to further their understanding of leadership and how the lessons discussed can be further spread throughout the organization.
-- Gil Preuss
Vice President for Strategy and Planning
Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP)
Boston, MA
Our campaign directors found our session with you inspiring and informative. The texts you selected to illustrate the need for leadership in a time of change reinforced our notions. We are indeed in an urgent time of change and in desperate need of leadership - our campaign directors left your session feeling empowered.
I hope we have other occasions to work together and highly recommend federations reach out to you for guidance as they work towards inspiring and directing their leadership, lay and professional alike.
-- Susan Solow-Dubin
Managing Director
Development Resources, United Jewish Communities
Hal Lewis brings a unique and studied perspective to the topic of Jewish Leadership. He brings both his own personal experiences as a Jewish federation professional, student and scholar of Jewish history, traditions and texts and integrates them with his understanding of modern day organizational management and leadership.
Hal is an energetic teacher who engages his audience with thought provoking, practical questions that reflect his deep understanding and knowledge of Jewish history, traditions, and values rooted in an array of Jewish texts.
-- Rachel Kaberon
Senior Planner
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
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Dear Dr. Lewis,
Your piece in the Forward is informative, insightful, and, for me, empowering. Thanks, and happy New Year.
-- Joe Lieberman
Senator
Connecticut
"My first thought after listening to Dr. Lewis, was this is a guy who gets it. He fully understands the need for the development of leaders. He understands the need to integrate the best practices of Jewish life with that of top businesses. A light bulb went off when I listened to him. He was not preaching a bunch of theories. He was very realistic. I was so motivated by his talk. I called him immediately afterwards and to this day, I still call him for advice."
-- Andy Neuman
Vice President
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Nashville, TN
"Having years of experience in the field of Jewish communal work, Dr. Lewis was able to challenge us and elevate us. What does it mean to lead Jewishly? Too often we get lost in the business of operating our organizations and forget why we do what we do. Dr. Lewis illuminated and provided a much-needed framework. Such an approach provided my Board and staff clarity of purpose and strength of conviction. I look forward to the next time he can work with us."
-- Merritt A. Mulman
Executive Director
Jewish Federation of the North Shore
Salem, MA
"Hal Lewis understands how to develop Jewish leaders today. His experience both in the field and in the classroom makes him the ideal person to write and speak about Jewish leadership development. Hal’s ability to synthesize the lessons from classical Jewish texts with the lessons and values that our leaders require most today makes him an invaluable educator. I strongly recommend him to any community interested in creating educated leaders."
-- Danyelle Neuman
Assistant Director
Jewish Renaissance and Renewal
United Jewish Communities
New York, NY
"Hal Lewis' insightful and thought-provoking seminar was a highlight of our convention. His inspiring talk and his lucid presentation of the need for a new paradigm of leadership in the American Jewish community were right on target. Our delegates were challenged to rethink how our synagogues recruit and train leaders. As a result of his presentation, we have begun to develop a new model of leadership training."
-- Harry J. Silverman
Executive Director
Southeast Region
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Boca Raton, FL