Federation's Tamara Zishuk Lerner Receives Fellowship to Strengthen Jewish Life Through Service Leadership
Tamara Zishuk Lerner, Senior Manager of Programs and Development for the Jewish Federation of Greater Raleigh
Repair the World and Jewish Federations of North America today launched the fourth cohort of The Catalyst, a professional development initiative that equips Federation professionals with the skills to design and deliver engaging Jewish service programs for young Jewish volunteers. Service in support of social change is vital to flourishing Jewish communities and inspired Jewish lives, and The Catalyst empowers professionals to bring that vision to life.
Tamara Zishuk Lerner, Senior Manager of Programs and Development for the Jewish Federation of Greater Raleigh, has been named as part of the fourth cohort. The latest group includes 11 Federation professionals from across the United States and Canada who are committed to making Jewish service a powerful entry point into Jewish life in their communities. Over five months, the fellows will explore Repair the World’s best-in-class curriculum led by Repair educators, engage in community building, participate in an in-person Jewish service and learning experience at Jewish Federations’ FedPro conference, and receive microgrant funding of up to $7,000 to pilot a new service initiative or expand an existing one.
“Being part of this national cohort allows the Jewish Federation of Greater Raleigh to be part of something bigger, while also shining a light on the growth and impact our community continues to make,” said Zishuk Lerner. “Our Federation was founded on social services and volunteerism, and returning to those roots, by designing a service-learning program that connects our Jewish network to the broader local ecosystem, helps us deepen our impact and strengthens our community from within.”
"We're thrilled to welcome this exceptional group of professionals who are dedicated to strengthening their communities through Jewish service and learning," said Shana Bloom, Chief Program Officer at Repair the World. "As proud partners with Jewish Federations, we’re equipping Jewish community leaders with the expertise and resources to engage the next generation of volunteers in Jewish service and make Jewish service a cornerstone of Jewish life.”
The program emphasizes Repair the World's approach to service: hands-on action that meets pressing local needs like food insecurity, poverty, and homelessness, paired with Jewish learning, issue area education, and reflection. The Catalyst program empowers Federation professionals to create joyful Jewish experiences through service and learning, connecting young adults with Jewish life while building purpose, community, and belonging-all while creating real change in their communities.
"Jewish Federations are committed to investing in the professional development of our staff, ensuring they have the tools to engage and inspire their communities," said Hannah Miranda Miller, Director of Volunteer Initiatives and Global Service at Jewish Federations of North America. "The Catalyst program is a powerful example of how we can work together to build a more vibrant Jewish future grounded in service."
Jewish Federations of North America is a proud partner in the Jewish Service Alliance, Repair the World’s coalition of more than 60 organizations mobilizing tens of thousands annually in impactful Jewish service. Through programs like The Catalyst, we’re empowering flourishing Jewish communities that serve in pursuit of a just world.
About Jewish Federations of North America: Jewish Federations of North America are the backbone of the organized Jewish community in the US and Canada, representing over 350 Jewish communities. They raise and distribute more than $2 billion annually and through planned giving and endowment programs to build flourishing Jewish communities at home, in Israel, and around the world.
About Repair the World: Repair the World mobilizes Jews and their communities to take action to pursue a just world, igniting a lifelong commitment to service. We believe service in support of social change is vital to a flourishing Jewish community and an inspired Jewish life. For more information, visit www.werepair.org.