The future of Jewish leadership doesn’t start in boardrooms—it starts in moments of connection, clarity, and conviction. Earlier this month, thirteen young leaders from Greater Washington traveled to Denver to join more than 300 of their peers at the National Young Leadership Cabinet retreat. Over four days of learning and exchange, they discovered not just new ideas, but how deeply their local efforts are woven into a powerful collective shaping Jewish life across North America and beyond.
What Is Cabinet?
Cabinet, an initiative of Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), identifies, trains, and inspires leaders ages 30–45 to strengthen Jewish life locally and globally. Many participants go on to serve in prominent roles—on Federation’s Board of Directors, including as President, and on the boards of other leading Jewish organizations.
When the Impact Gets Personal
For Alexa Brown, Cabinet co-chair for the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, the retreat underscored how local work connects to a larger movement. “This experience helped me zoom out and see just how connected our work at home is to the broader Federation network,” she said.
That collective impact became especially personal for Alexa when she learned that Federation dollars are helping to rebuild Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva—where her grandmother is a patient. “Knowing that our community is directly supporting the hospital caring for her was incredibly emotional,” she reflected. “Hearing firsthand about the renovations left me overwhelmed with gratitude—not just for hospital staff, but for everyone in our Federation family who gives so generously.”
Finding Strength in Connection
For her co-chair, Britney Wambold, the most meaningful moments came from building deeper relationships. “Meeting in a more intimate setting and sharing our personal ‘why’ for being involved with Federation was incredibly powerful,” she said. “Their stories reminded me of the depth of passion in our community and inspired me to keep pushing forward in my own leadership journey.”
Both Alexa and Britney pointed to the energy that comes from being part of a national network. “There was an unspoken understanding among us—that we’re not just here to lead but to show up for one another,” Alexa shared. “It gave me peace knowing there’s a whole network of leaders who care deeply and have each other’s backs.” Britney agreed: “The retreat reminded me how impressive and diverse this group is, and how much we can learn from one another.”
From Retreat to Reality
For the Greater Washington delegation, Denver wasn’t just four days away—it was a chance to see the bigger picture, to feel the impact of global Jewish philanthropy in deeply personal ways, and bring home renewed energy for strengthening our community. Alexa and Britney returned new tools and ideas, and deeper pride in Federation’s work and in the generation of leaders shaping the Jewish future.
“I’m excited to see what this group of young leaders goes on to do here at home to strengthen our local Jewish community in the years to come,” reflected Jeremy Frisch, Federation’s Assistant Director for Donor Engagement, who also attended. “Watching them learn and grow leaves me feeling very hopeful about what that future looks like.”
And that’s the heart of Cabinet: cultivating leaders who will guide our community through real challenges and seize opportunities to enrich Jewish life across Greater Washington. Today’s investment develops the leaders our community will count on for decades to come.
To learn more about the National Young Leadership Cabinet or to get involved, contact Jeremy Frisch at jeremy.frisch@www.shalomdc.org.
