Join the Jewish Leadership Council on Monday 8th September from 6-10.00pm for a special summit focused on addressing the drop-off many young Jewish adults experience after the immersive, structured environments of youth movements and university Jewish societies. It will aim to empower participants to become grassroots leaders and community builders, equipped to create the kinds of spaces, experiences, and initiatives they need in this next stage of life. 

The event is aimed at 21-26 year olds who have recently transitioned from structures such as university and youth movement life into early professional adulthood.

This is your opportunity to share innovative and exciting ideas at a time when it's needed most.

This is a free event and places are limited, pre registration is required. Please note the venue will be confirmed closer to the event but it will be in central London.

Book your place here.

FAQs:

• What is Forge the Future?

  Forge the Future is a community plan developed by the Jewish Leadership Council, following wide community consultation post October 7th with four core strategic objectives: empowering and supporting next generations; winning support and allies; ensuring fair media coverage; and, enforcing our legal rights. 

  And, one of the projects that sits under empowering and supporting next generations is a detailed exploration into what the community leadership might do to strengthen young people’s Jewish identity and engagement with Israel.

• Why this event, and why now?

  As part of this project, over the past year, the JLC has commissioned various quantitative and qualitative research into what is motivating Jews aged 16-26 to engage with the community and what is pushing them away. The data clearly showed the need for an event where young British Jews are given the opportunity to put forward their own vision for what Jewish life in the UK looks like, both today and into the future. This is our response – a dynamic, one-of-a-kind evening where we give  the tools to design your vision, and then the resources to actualise it. 

• Do I need to be part of a community or work for a Jewish organisation to attend?

  Not at all! This event welcomes those who are part of institutional communities, those who are part of grassroots communities, and those who haven’t found a community yet and may want to build one. It also welcomes those who work for Jewish organisations, those who wish to, and those who are on any other career path. 

• Is this just another institutionally-led leadership training event?

  No - this is a special event focusing on innovation and progression, where we will use exciting methodologies to forge our future as young Jews in the UK. You will likely leave with new skills based on the methodologies we use, but this is about creating and building for the future that we want, not about learning or training.

• I don’t have an idea or project, is there a point in me coming?

  Definitely. We anticipate that the event will be a mix of people coming in with ideas, and people who have no idea what they want - just that they want something new or different and are ready to put forward their opinions. Whichever you are, we want you in the room.

• Is this only going to be about Israel?

  No. While it is likely that matters related to Israel will come up, there is no political, denominational or any other agenda at this event. The ideas that will be discussed are entirely participant-driven. That said, we are also acutely aware from the research we’ve so far conducted that there are many different views out there on the current Israel/Middle East situation, and so any Israel-related issues that come up at the event will be listened to and discussed non-judgmentally and with respect.

• Is this event open to all denominations and religiosity styles?

  Absolutely. This is a fully inclusive, pluralistic event that welcomes everyone who identifies as Jewish, in any way. Whether you define as affiliated, unaffiliated, cultural, Orthodox, Masorti, Reform or Liberal, your voice is equally important!

• Will I be judged for my opinions and views on the British Jewish community and its institutions?

  No – this is a judgement-free event where participants will be encouraged to voice their authentic viewpoints and use them to forge new pathways forwards for young British Jews.

• Will there be food?

  Of course - this is a Jewish event. Dinner and drinks will be provided before the main event kicks off, and there will be an opportunity for drinks at a nearby pub after the event concludes for anyone who still has energy after 10pm!

• What happens after the event?

  The JLC and our partner organisations will be on hand to support you with your initiatives in a number of ways which could include, but not limited to, check ins, financial support and mentoring.

Spark the Future is an initiative that’s been designed as part of Forge the Future project one.