Brandeis Online
Shaping leaders for a new Jewish communal ecosystem: A chat with Liora Norwich
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Hear about how Brandeis University’s Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program is harnessing the power of community and applied learning to train the newest generation of Jewish professionals.
Liora Norwich, PhD, MBA brings a unique perspective to her role as director of the Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program at Brandeis University.
Liora’s dual expertise in political science and nonprofit management, along with her experiences living in Canada, Israel, and the United States, have given her an unique understanding of what it means to teach, work, and exist in both Jewish and non-Jewish spaces. Over the past two years, Liora has used this understanding to shape Horstein’s programs for a new generation of Jewish professionals.
“I decided to join Hornstein because it was an exciting time of innovation and opportunity at Brandeis,” Liora shared. “Taking the reins has meant creating a program that is accessible to a highly diverse group of people across the Jewish world who are doing the real time work of building Jewish community.”
“Getting involved [with Hornstein] has meant creating a program that is accessible to a more diverse group of people across the Jewish world who are doing the real time work of building Jewish community.”
Establishing an online Master’s in Jewish Professional Leadership with in-person learning and community-building experiences has been the first step in increasing the accessibility of Hornstein’s programs. Now, working Jewish professionals from across the country — and across the globe — have the option to pursue a master’s certificate or MA degree at Hornstein without relocating or taking time off from work or their community engagement.
Liora and the rest of the faculty at Hornstein also prioritize ensuring that Hornstein’s programs are welcoming to students from all walks of life. “Hornstein thrives on being an environment that supports true pluralism within our classrooms,” Liora said. “As a program we are non-denominational, but pluralism extends to how we welcome students across the social, religious and political spectrum, and the ways we support hard conversations encompassing different vantage points.”
“As a program we are non-denominational, but pluralism extends to how we welcome students across the social, religious and political spectrum, and the ways we support hard conversations encompassing different vantage points.”
This commitment to diversity means Hornstein attracts students from a wide range of professional backgrounds. “Many Hornstein students have worked in Jewish summer camps, in educational or religious institutions, or in existing nonprofits or legacy organizations,” Liora explained. “But others are career switchers, drawn into the Jewish world by both push and pull factors after October 7.”
Despite their many differences, one thing unites all Hornstein students: they are all driven to create meaningful change in their Jewish communities and places of work. With its applied, “classroom-to-field” approach to learning, Hornstein leaves students uniquely prepared to achieve this goal.
“Students learn and can immediately apply skills in fundraising, strategic planning, and human resource management in their workplaces,” Liora told Brandeis Online. “Through case studies, they also learn to think critically about real-world problems and work with practitioners in the field to develop adaptive solutions.”
“Students learn and can immediately apply skills in fundraising, strategic planning, and human resource management in their workplaces.”
Hornstein students also have the opportunity to engage in hands-on, in-person learning experiences. Every summer, Hornstein students are invited to attend a multi-day, immersive workshop at Brandeis University’s campus just outside of Boston, MA. Last, we believe that Israel literacy is an important part of the toolkit of every Jewish professional, and we stand behind this belief by offering students not only a course tailored to those training to be nonprofit and community leaders, but also an opportunity to join us in Israel for an intensive on-ground seminar. During the bi-annual seminar trip to Israel, students are able to solidify bonds, strengthen their Israel literacy skills, and forge connections with organizations that can serve as professional resources for years to come.
This combination of specialized training and experiential learning means Hornstein graduates have gone on to do amazing things, shaping the Jewish communal ecosystem at organizations like Taglit-Birthright Israel, the Ramah National Commission, Leading Edge, and beyond.
“Many of our alumni have also returned to the program as part of our new virtual mentorships network, excited to give back to current students, share their experiences and support them on their career paths,” Liora shared. “It is a truly expansive community.”
“Many of our alumni have also returned to the program as part of our new mentorships network, excited to give back to current students, share their experiences and support them on their career paths. It is a truly expansive community.”
According to Liora, this sense of community is more important now than ever. “The Jewish world is at an inflection point post-pandemic and October 7,” Liora said. “We need trained professionals with fresh ideas and strong strategic skill sets entering and expanding the sector.”
If you’re looking for ways to connect with other Jewish professionals and strengthen your impact in your community, the Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership program may be the right place for you. To learn more about our in-person and online master’s programs, visit the Hornstein website or email hornstein@brandeis.edu.
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