Earlier this year, as college students and recent grads were absorbing the disappointments of canceled internships and Birthright trips, they began wondering how they’d pass the long summer months. The answer came in the form of a question: Are you ready to be a Changemaker?

Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) issued a call for young Jewish adults to apply for the Jewish Changemakers Fellowship, a three-week online leadership development experience designed to expand their careers, networks and, most importantly, their ability to effect positive change in their communities and the world.

“With COVID affecting so many plans for the summer, the fellows were looking for a meaningful, productive way to spend their time,” said Andi Milens, senior director of community engagement for Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City. “Jewish Federations of North America seized an incredible opportunity to engage our young people with inspiration and growth in a dark time.”

JFNA received 2,300 applications for the Changemakers fellowship. More than 1,000 were selected to be in the first cohorts of Changemaker Fellows, joining peers from more than 100 communities across North America, as well as Mexico, Brazil, Spain, France, the UK, South Africa, Czechia and Israel.

Two aspiring young leaders from our Kansas City Jewish community were selected for the program: Josh Eisemann, 21, son of Leslie Mark and Mark Eisemann, and Elie Simon, 21, daughter of Connie and Richard Simon. 

Read the full article on the Kansas City Jewish Chronicle website >>>