The Maimonides Jewish Leadership Institute (MJLI) is developed and led by Rabbi David Wolpe and Dr. Mijal Bitton, Scholars in Residence at the Maimonides Fund. MJLI delivers a masterclass in Jewish thought, history, and tradition—tailored for high-achieving professionals eager to explore Jewish ideas in a meaningful, dynamic, and relevant way.
Participants learn from some of the sharpest contemporary thinkers and educators in a fully pluralistic environment, diving deeply into the Jewish experience past and present. Whether they hold public platforms, serve on boards or philanthropic initiatives, represent Jewish interests in the workplace, or are looked to as voices among peers, MJLI strengthens their understanding and connects them to a community of outstanding leaders.
Year-Long Cohort Experience (Early 2026–Early 2027)
MJLI is a nomination-based program. Maimonides Fund has tapped a diverse group of nominators to identify exceptional candidates for the inaugural cohort. Ideal nominees are:
Prior Jewish study or involvement in the Jewish community is not expected. What matters is openness, seriousness of purpose, and readiness to step into meaningful leadership.
Rabbi David Wolpe is the Max Webb Emeritus Rabbi of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles and Scholar in Residence at the Maimonides Fund, where he is helping shape a renewed vision of non-Orthodox Judaism and equipping rabbis, educators, and Jewish leaders to strengthen communities and address the evolving challenges of Jewish life and Israel. He has taught at Harvard University, the Jewish Theological Seminary, the American Jewish University, Hunter College, and UCLA, and has published widely in outlets including The New York Times, The Atlantic, Time, and The Washington Post. Rabbi Wolpe is the author of eight books, including the national bestseller Making Loss Matter, and his most recent work is David, the Divided Heart (Yale University Press).
A leading voice in Jewish community, identity, and pluralistic thought, Dr. Mijal Bitton is the spiritual leader of the Downtown Minyan, co-host of the Wondering Jews podcast, and author of the Committed Substack. As Scholar in Residence at the Maimonides Fund, she focuses on renewed spiritual and communal hunger among American Jews since October 7th, advancing accessible and intellectually rich Jewish life—especially for young adults and parents.
Abigail Pogrebin is an award-winning author and journalist. Her books include My Jewish Year, a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award, and It Takes Two to Torah, co-authored with Rabbi Dov Linzer, winner of the Independent Press Award. A former Emmy-nominated producer for 60 Minutes, she has written for The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Vogue, and has moderated conversations at leading Jewish institutions. She is a former president of Central Synagogue.
Alex is an adjunct lecturer at the Hebrew University and has taught at many of the finest Jewish institutions in America and Israel. His first book, Loving the Real Israel: An Educational Agenda for Liberal Zionism, was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award, and he has published two novels. He’s shaped the MJLI curriculum and helped the scholars-in-residence translate their visions for the program into practice.
Yael is the Program Director of MJLI and Assistant Director of the SAPIR Institute at Maimonides Fund, where she brings together her passions for intentional gathering, thoughtful event design, great conversation, and dynamic learning arcs to create meaningful Jewish experiences. Before joining Maimonides Fund, Yael worked in senior administrative and programmatic roles across Jewish communal organizations, supporting leadership and designing professional learning experiences.
Jewish communities around the world are facing a rapidly shifting landscape—socially, culturally, and geopolitically. More than ever, rising leaders across industries are being called upon to represent Jewish values, speak with clarity, and help shape a more resilient, informed, and connected Jewish future.
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