Start Up Nation Mentorship Fall Retreat
From September 6th to 8th, 2024, Start-Up Nation Mentorship, an initiative of WJC NextGen, hosted its Fall Retreat in New York City, bringing together emerging leaders for a weekend of meaningful discussions, networking, and skill-building. The retreat aimed to further the mission of SUNM by engaging participants in conversations surrounding global Jewish leadership, innovation, and mentorship. Participants were given a packed schedule filled with both professional development opportunities and cultural experiences.
The retreat opened on Friday evening with Kabbalat Shabbat services and a Shabbat dinner, followed on Saturday with programming focused on SUNM’s mission and hearing from expert speakers, alongside social activities that allowed participants to bond ahead of the new year. The event culminated on Sunday with breakout sessions for different teams, a workshops optimize processes, and closing remarks that emphasized the future direction of the program.
Program
Friday, 6 September, 2024
Welcome & Shabbat
Participants went to Shabbat services at the Manhattan Jewish Experience, followed by Shabbat dinner at the Gerber Family Home.
Saturday, 7 September, 2024
Shabbat Lunch & Keynote Speaker
Participants gathered for a Shabbat lunch where they heard from guest speaker, Yuval Rooz, CEO of Digital Asset, discussing the intersection of technology and Jewish leadership.
Introduction to Start-Up Nation Mentorship
Co-Founders Adam Shapiro and Ben Spilg, provided an introduction into the mission and work of Start-Up Nation Mentorship along with two former non-Jewish mentees.
What is the World Jewish Congress?
Director of WJC NextGen, Yoni Hammerman, introduced the participants to the history, mission, and structure of the World Jewish Congress.
Social Activity: Bowling
Participants made their way over to the Abington House for dinner and bowling.
Sunday, 8 September, 2024
Understanding Our Roles & Strategy
SUNM Chief Executive Officer Daniel Agmoni provided a rundown of what the year ahead will look like.
Breakout Rooms
Participants were put in different breakout rooms to strategize for the year ahead.
Reconvening & Ideas Discussion
Following the breakout session, participants gathered to share their ideas and best practices.
Understanding Zapier
Tamar Lando, Chief Technology Officer of Zapier, spoke about how to use Zapier to match non-Jewish mentees and Mentors from Israel.
Innovation Challenge
Campus Directors broke out into small groups to tackle strategy questions on building cohorts and strengthening the network.
Keynote Remarks
Rabbi Benjamin Goldschmidt spoke about the significance of engaging in one owns Jewish community, whether on campus or beyond, and the importance of embracing emphasized the need for students to take a stand against antisemitism on their campuses, local communities, and globally.
Closing Session & What's Next?
CEO Daniel Agmoni led a Q and A session and spoke about what to expect in the upcoming year.
WJC NextGen
WJC NextGen supports and empowers Jewish students leaders in high school, university, and post-graduation who are making a difference in their communities today and to train them to be the changemakers of tomorrow.
Start-Up Nation Mentorship
Start-Up Nation Mentorship pair extraordinary student leaders & young professionals from all backgrounds globally with Israeli executives to help ensure that the next generation of leaders has the knowledge and relationships to succeed.