On Becoming a Leader

by Margie Miller

How often do you reflect on your skills as a leader? Have you ever taken stock of your leadership strengths or considered how you would like to improve them? Do you wonder about how someone actually becomes a leader of an international organization?

Through its Leadership Institutes, Women’s League for Conservative Judaism offers a unique opportunity for new, potential, and developing leaders to do just that. The Institutes strengthen leadership capabilities while reinforcing a commitment to Conservative/ Masorti Judaism. Participants return to their communities with a renewed purpose and vision as capable and knowledgeable leaders both for sisterhoods and their congregations.

Each institute begins with local leaders describing their personal journeys to success. Over the course of the ten institutes held since 2002, female professionals, politicians, community volunteers, and businesswomen have described the opportunities they enjoyed and identified the obstacles they encountered.

Then, in the first of six interactive seminars, participants begin to take stock of their own leadership skills and select the appropriate sessions on communication, conflict resolution, team dynamics, goal setting, strategic planning, or public speaking that will have them reach the next level of leadership. To help the women grow Jewishly – another goal of the institute – tefillot and study with scholars and rabbis are an integral part of the program.

A highlight of the two-and-a-half-day program is the opportunity to meet the Women’s League president, who has a tale to tell about her first encounters with sisterhood and how she grew as a leader, assuming ever-greater roles in her region and then in the national organization. Each president has an inspiring story to share of how she grew through her Women’s League experiences. At some point during the institute, participants meet with the president as well as with the trainers who lead the program to discuss organizational concerns and to seek personal guidance.

The Leadership Institute is offered twice a year in various places throughout North America. More than 250 women already have benefited from their experiences. More importantly, Women’s League now has 250 women who are better able to assume the mantle of leadership in their local sisterhoods and regions.

It is not a coincidence that 23 of the 25 current region presidents attended a Leadership Institute. Participants walk away with the insight, tools, confidence, and motivation to reach their highest heights.

As one recent graduate said, “I found that the institute gave me a shot in the arm. It helped me focus on where I want to go and what I have to offer.” Another acknowledged that the “tools will help me wherever I go.” All the graduates agree that they are more confident leaders and that they continue to expand on their newly acquired skills.

John Quincy Adams once said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” Women’s League believes that the skills to become a leader are within each of us. Attending the Women’s League Leadership Institute inspires more dreaming and more learning, with the added bonus that thanks to those who take part, Women’s League will be ready to continue going from strength to strength.

For more information on the Women’s League Leadership Institute, call Razel Kessler at 212 870-1263 or email rkessler@wlcj.org.