ABOUT US
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to empower college students and young professionals to advance their careers while incorporating Jewish values into their lives, through innovative networking and education opportunities with Jewish industry leaders.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to equip emerging professionals with the relationships and Jewish wisdom they need to confidently navigate their careers and lead values-based lives. We believe that Judaism offers a framework for meaningful, purposeful, and joyful living, and we aspire to make it accessible and relevant at every stage of life.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK AND THEORY OF CHANGE
IF Jewish college students and young professionals engage positively with Judaism and our community as integral parts of their career paths, THEN they'll have more opportunities to succeed in their careers making Jewish community, Jewish identity, and Judaism more relevant and meaningful at each stage of life.
What's the Problem?
Studies continue to show that Judaism plays neither a major nor relevant role in the lives of young Jewish adults. - Pew Jewish American Study (2020), LA Jewish Community Study (2021), Bay Area Jewish Portrait Study (2021), San Francisco JCRC Study (2022)
Why does it exist?
Young adults do not see religion influencing their careers, which is their top priority. - U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Time Use Study (2021), Gallup: Hobbies & Money (2023)
What's Our Solution?
THE CHALLENGE
Studies continue to show that Judaism plays neither a major nor relevant role in the lives of young Jewish adults as we see a steady decline nationwide in the number of Jews who practice Judaism. We further understand that even for those who feel an attachment to their Jewish identity, many begin to disconnect at the time their careers begin as they prioritize their careers without seeing religion as influencing their professional lives.
Additionally, we are at a unique moment in time where we know that regardless of affiliation, Jews are facing increased discrimination and outright antisemitism in the workplace. This was recently highlighted in a May 2023 White House Report on antisemitism and remains among the top concerns we are hearing within our community. Unfortunately, these trends are worsening with today’s rapid rise and open embrace of antisemitism, that the need for Jews of all backgrounds to gather in safe spaces of community is rising in addition to needing career support to combat the present challenges.
OUR SOLUTION
We work at the intersection of Judaism and career advancement to encourage emerging professionals, who may otherwise be disconnected, to find relevancy and meaning in Jewish wisdom, learning, and community. We do this using an intentional community model that offers ongoing engagement opportunities centered around career advancement and Jewish wisdom in intergenerational settings. The work is centered on our theory of change which states IF Jewish college students and young professionals engage positively with Judaism and our community as integral parts of their career paths, THEN they’ll have more opportunities to succeed in their careers making Jewish community, Jewish identity, and Judaism more relevant and meaningful at each stage of life.