Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program

Starr Seminar

Hornstein Program students pose for a picture at the Jewish Arts Collaborative in Boston.

It was HORNSTEIN's pleasure to meet with JVS Boston's Jonathan Nierman and Judy Sacks and Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston's Jeremy Burton in March 2022 as part of Hornstein's annual Starr Seminar, an opportunity for students to visit nonprofit organizations in the Jewish communal sector and learn from their leaders. Thank you both for welcoming our graduate students. "For the past two years computer screens and desks shaped our Hornstein learning experience. Last week we had the opportunity to meet face-to-face with two local organizations, Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) and Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC). JVS' approach to creating a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds was evident the moment we walked through the doors. JCRC's commitment to advocating for the organized Boston Jewish community within and between faith groups was inspiring to hear. We look forward to what else is in store this semester!" -- Starr Seminar student planning committee: Molly Kazan, Aaron Fineberg, Adam Nickels, Jake Herman and Roy Buchler

During their first year, students visit one or more of several cities, including New York City, Boston, and Washington, D.C., for briefings at the national offices of both well-established and emerging Jewish organizations. Students have the opportunity to explore issues from a variety of perspectives with the leaders of diverse Jewish nonprofits.

The seminar and fieldwork (which students usually undertake in the summer semester) are integral components of the required course Organizational Behavior in Jewish Nonprofits. In Organizational Behavior, students examine contemporary management theories and case studies, participate in experiential exercises and use traditional Jewish teachings to "make sense" of organizational dynamics and better understand, predict and influence behavior in Jewish nonprofit organizations.

Organizations Visited on Starr Seminar

  • American Israel Public Affairs Committee

  • American Jewish Committee

  • American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee

  • Amplifier

  • Anti-Defamation League

  • Avodah

  • BBYO

  • Bikkurim

  • Birthright Israel Foundation/Birthright NEXT

  • Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters

  • Columbia/Barnard Hillel

  • Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration

  • Footsteps

  • Foundation for Jewish Camp

  • Gann Academy

  • Hazon

  • JCC Association

  • Jewish Arts Collaborative

  • Jewish Education Project

  • Jewish Federations of North America

  • Jewish Funders Network

  • JPro Network

  • Keshet

  • Leading Edge

  • The Maimonides Fund

  • Mechon Hadar

  • Museum of Jewish Heritage

  • National Council of Jewish Women

  • Prizmah

  • Repair the World

  • Shalom Hartman Institute of North America

  • Sharsheret

  • Slingshot Fund

  • UJA-Federation of New York

  • Union for Reform Judaism

  • Upstart

  • YIVO

“The Starr Seminar provided me with an opportunity to learn from some of the preeminent leaders of major Jewish organizations in America. The intimate nature of the sessions allowed us to discover in detail what it is like to work within these organizations. It also gave us a chance to discuss and debate with today's leaders about difficult issues facing the Jewish community that are important to us. The perspectives and encouragement that I gained from this program left me feeling even more excited to be entering the field of Jewish professional leadership at this time.”

Adam Zohar Kolett, MA/MBA’09