Just Leading

What could happen if we reimagined traditional models of leadership? In this last episode of the season, we hear from two leaders who have done just that. Side by side, Monisha Kapila and Bianca Casanova Anderson lead ProInspire, a nonprofit that envisions an equitable and just society. Monisha and Bianca join Gali to break down what led the organization to adopt a co-CEO model, how the arrangement is working out for them, and the opportunities and challenges of fully shared leadership.

For Rabbi Mary Zamore, navigating challenging moments is part of her life’s work. Rabbi Zamore has been a guide for her community throughout the last 25 years. Today, she serves as the Executive Director of the Women’s Rabbinic Network, where she promotes the contributions and growth of rabbis who are women, championing initiatives that foster justice and equity within the Reform Movement and beyond. In this episode, she talks with Elana about the imperative of showing up for her community in difficult times and how she stays grounded in this work. The two also discuss how Jewish leadership has evolved since the first woman, Rabbi Sally Priesand, was ordained 50 years ago this June.

Hen Mazzig embodies many identities; he is an Israeli writer and educator, the son of Amazigh and Iraqi refugees, co-founder of the Tel Aviv Institute, and much more. As a digital influencer and Senior Fellow at the Tel Aviv Institute, Hen advocates for Jewish people, the LGBTQ+ community, and other minorities around the world. Hen joins Ilana in this episode, sharing how his upbringing and military service motivated him to create change on a broad scale. As Jews of Color, Hen and Ilana also discuss the breadth and diversity of their community and how such terms can resonate across cultural experience.

Mamie Kanfer Stewart is determined to help people work better together. That’s why she founded her company, Meeteor, where she and her team support clients in improving collaboration -- namely, through more thoughtful, productive meetings. In this episode, Mamie and Gali dig into the elements of a strong, healthy work culture and why it’s so important to be accountable as a leader today.

How can we turn landmark moments into long-term progress? Shana Aaronson is the Executive Director of Magen for Jewish Communities, an Israel-based non-profit providing advocacy, awareness, and support around sexual abuse. She and her team do vital work that requires patience and resilience. Shana sits down with Elana to share her vision of community safety and the promising turning points she’s seen over the last couple of years. Content warning: This episode contains discussion of sexual abuse.

Jordan Daniels is here to change the world. This is something the San Diego-based storyteller has learned through his journey toward radical self-love and liberation. As a writer, podcaster, and photographer, Jordan offers thoughtful commentary on the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, fashion, and body positivity. He joins Ilana to share how he leads by example, integrating his own identities to embrace and express his whole self. Content warning: This episode contains discussion of self-harm.

Vu Le isn’t afraid to say what’s on his mind. For the last decade, the writer, speaker, and “unemployed rabble-rouser” has been busy exploring the fun and frustration of nonprofit work through his popular blog, Nonprofit AF. Vu cut his teeth as a nonprofit Executive Director and now uses his understanding of the nonprofit ecosystem to offer sharp commentary with a healthy dose of humor. In this episode, Vu and Gali dig into the awesomeness of nonprofit work and discuss how we can revolutionize the sector to create more opportunities for progress.

What does it mean to lead long term change? Ginna Green is a strategist, writer, and movement-builder who is helping people do just that. As partner of the social impact firm, Uprise, she guides those who are on the frontlines of social justice in taking meaningful steps forward. Ginna joins Elana Wien to discuss what it takes to push talk into action and why it’s vital to foreground the voices of those who are most affected when undertaking social change efforts.

Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife is disrupting expectations about what it means to practice Judaism. As the Executive Director of the Kohenet Hebrew Priestess Institute and founder of Kesher Pittsburgh, she brings her community together and offers space to connect, reflect, and discover embodied, Earth-based spirituality. In this episode, she speaks with Ilana Kaufman about reclaiming ancient traditions and rituals to create an inclusive, liberated experience for all who seek it.

Welcome to season two of Just Leading, where we’re thinking differently about leadership within and beyond the Jewish world. Co-hosts Elana Wien, Gali Cooks, and Ilana Kaufman are back and ready to dig into what it means to lead today; a time full of challenges -- and opportunities! They’ll be joined by inspiring leaders who are stepping up when it really counts, steering us through uncertainty and toward a better future. First, our three trailblazing hosts sit down to catch up and share their intentions for this season.