Our Young Leadership Network is a vital force to nurture future leaders. Through events at embassies, missions, disaster rebuilding sites and fundraisers, we have a network of next-generation leaders who meet, exchange ideas, have a chance to learn from current B’nai B’rith leadership as well as meet with diplomats and lend a hand to a struggling community.

B’nai B’rith has members all over the world, and so does the Young Leadership Network. There are groups in Australia, Europe, Israel, Latin America, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

For the third year, B’nai B’rith has partnered with Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to participate in the Kakehashi Project cultural exchange. A delegation of B’nai B’rith young leaders traveled to Japan in March for this program. During this weeklong exchange, the young leaders traveled to Tokyo and Kyoto. Our young leaders engaged in immersive, in-depth learning about Japan’s culture, government and history. Our young leaders toured Japan’s Diet, or Parliament, building and learned about the Japanese government. Additionally, our delegates met Israeli Ambassador to Japan Yaffa Ben-Ari and discussed with her key aspects of the Japan-Israel relationship. The delegation also met with Kentaro Sonoura, special advisor to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, to debrief about their experiences in Japan at the end of the trip and to discuss Japan’s foreign policy priorities.

Regional Young Leadership Network Events

Denver

B’nai B’rith Denver and Temple Emanuel Denver partnered for a happy hour, lecture and onsite genetic screening for young professionals and couples with JScreen in May. The event was an informative introduction to a very important topic.

To read about Jewish genetic testing, check out our spring 2018 B’nai B’rith Magazine story.

B’nai B’rith Denver also hosted its 22nd annual mitzvah event, the historic Leadville Hebrew Cemetery cleanup, during the weekend of June 22-24, with some 100 volunteers cleaning up the cemetery and nearly 50 attending the Shabbat services and oneg in Leadville’s beautifully restored Temple Israel. A short memorial service was also held in honor of early Jewish pioneers in Leadville. Hands-on activities included a general cleanup of the cemetery grounds, consisting of cutting weeds, pruning tree branches, cemetery picket fence painting and sprucing up soiled grave markers. In addition, a large amount of food was donated to help feed the hungry in the Leadville community. Many first-time volunteers participated this year. 

The successful year was capped off with the Jewbilee Bash Denver, our inaugural Christmas Eve party, with 315 attendees.

Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. young leaders met at the high-tech store Studio Xfinity Live in July to celebrate the start of Shabbat and to learn about B’nai B’rith’s participation in the Japanese government’s Kakehashi Project.   

In August these young leaders partnered with the Edlavitch Jewish Community Center of Washington, D.C. for an exciting young professional networking event. It was wonderful evening of mingling at the awesome offices of Social Tables at the third annual Jew Kids on the Block happy hour. Attendees learned about Jewish organizations of D.C. that provide programs for young professionals.