Many congregations face similar challenges, from increasing community engagement, building a pipeline of leaders and ensuring a bright future for their Jewish community. To support synagogue leadership in their work, USCJ has created our Sulam suite of programs; a dynamic leadership development curriculum designed to empower congregations in building purposeful, energized, and sustainable communities. Sulam is an empowered relationship where USCJ works closely with their congregations to create customized learning.

Now we are building on this community of participants. Introducing: Sulam - Lifting Leaders, a new quarterly newsletter filled with updates on previous students, resources to utilize on your leadership journeys, and more opportunities to engage and learn. Keep an eye on your inbox throughout the year for all this and more. As always, feel free to reach out with any questions or content you want shared. Wishing you all the best in this new programmatic year!

Linda Sussman
Director of Leadership Development
Synagogue Consultant, METNY

Daniel Langenthal
Director of Leadership Development

In 1994, Sulam for Presidents (SFP) was created, a new innovative program developed specifically for synagogue presidents. USCJ recognized that presidents and officers needed additional training and resources to lead their synagogues more effectively. Aptly the program was given the title of Sulam סלם meaning ‘ladder’, it connotes the step-by-step progress that students achieve when given the opportunity and support to reach their goals.

When the SFP program began, all sessions were in-person and participants received thick binders full of resources. In-coming and existing presidents were invited to participate and learn how to be a more effective leader. The main areas covered were similar to what is offered now:

• Effective board leadership and development
• Building strong working relationships between clergy, staff, and the board
• Understanding financial sustainability            
• Creating thriving synagogues and more!
  

After a USCJ strategic plan in 2010, the Sulam curriculum was brought into the digital world and expanded into a full suite of board development resources, Sulam for Synagogue Leaders. We continue to add new modules to existing resources and update as we learn from our experiences and trending issues. With the pandemic, some of our programs became virtual.This past year we added another element to Sulam for Presidents: we created participant cohorts enabling presidents to continue to work together and support each other throughout their terms.

USCJ and especially Sulam, is about utilizing our networks and shared experiences to help each other reach higher and higher on the ladder of synagogue success.