Within 24 hours, Marni Levitt went from shedding tears in a former Nazi death camp to standing proudly aboard an Israeli Navy ship docked in Haifa.
Levitt is one of 16 local leaders chosen for Combined Jewish Philanthropies’ Cynthia and Leon Shulman Acharai leadership development program. The recently formed group’s whirlwind trip through 20th century Jewish history took participants from “the depths of despair” to feelings of elation and hope, Levitt said. “I felt like our group came out of intense darkness and landed in the light,” she said. “It’s been a fantastic and intense way to begin our time together as a group.”
CJP’s Acharai (“follow me” in Hebrew) program has been molding Jewish leaders for three decades, and its alumni list reads like a “Who’s Who” of Greater Boston’s Jewish leadership. The 18-month program filled with seminars, study sessions, and shared experiences aims to cultivate the community’s next generation of opinion-leaders and decision-makers. Participants are chosen by nomination and – after a highly competitive selection process – embark on individual and collective journeys in Jewish leadership.
“With this kick-off trip to Poland and Israel, we’re aiming to help participants develop their passions and explore what it means to be a leader in today’s world,” said Sari Anne Rapkin, who co-chairs Acharai along with George Krupp. “Our participants are following in the footsteps of some of Boston’s greatest leaders, and developing our Jewish future along the way.”
This year’s Acharai class represents a diverse cross-section of interests, geography and professions, including education, legal aid and technology. Some participants have held Jewish leadership positions for many years, while others are still finding their voices in the community. One participant is even starting his Acharai journey while formally converting to Judaism.
“My wife is Jewish and we’re raising our children Jewish, so I’ve definitely felt the spark of a Jewish soul,” said Kevin Wilkins. “This program is helping me put into words and actions things I’ve felt and been thinking about for a long time. The conversion process if just the beginning for me, and I hope Acharai will take me to a whole new level of Jewish identity.”
CJP President Barry Shrage and CJP Board Chair Myra Kraft traveled with the group in Israel, as they heard from prominent Israeli and American Jewish leaders including Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav. Participants explored the role of leadership and community vision by touring CJP’s Boston-Haifa Connection projects and meeting with Israelis engaged in organizing, Jewish renewal and tikkun olam – repairing the world.
The trip provided opportunities for participants to begin building bridges amongst themselves and leaders in Boston’s sister city, Haifa. During a session with Haifa leaders engaged in post-war recovery efforts, Acharai participant Marci Sapers spoke with Mati Haifa CEO Avi Feigenbaum about how start-up businesses owned by women and minorities can gain support from established companies. Lisa Wallack, mother of three students at the Rashi School, spoke with teens from Haifa’s Ironi Hey High School about increasing connections between Haifa youth and their counterparts in Boston.
During their two-continent Jewish odyssey, Acharai participants set an ambitious tone for the next 18 months of leadership development. Participants said they look forward to learning from some of Jewish Boston’s top leaders, in addition to forging their own paths within the community.
“This trip has been an unprecedented bonding experience and opportunity to join a group of similar-minded people able to give back together,” said participant Andrew Schultz. “We are having real-life experiences pertinent to Jewish learning. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
2006-2008 Acharai Participants:
Bill Gabovitch
Amy Hearne
Marni Levitt
Daniel Marcus
Dorie Mufson
Jill Roberts
David Samuels
Faryl Sandler
Marci Sapers
Andrew Schultz
Jennifer Vidal
Lisa Wallack
Kevin Wilkins
Howard Wolk
Christopher Wyett
David Zaltas
Acharai Co-Chairs:
George Krupp and Sari Anne Rapkin
Acharai Scholar-in-Residence:
Professor Reuven Kimelman