Leadership Certificate in Combating Antisemitism for Lay Leaders
Antisemitism has reached historic levels in the United States and Canada. As a Jewish community leader, you need to be equipped to respond with strength, skill, and expertise. To be effective, you need training.
The Leadership Certificate in Combating Antisemitism for Lay Leaders is a program built to empower trustees and board members of Jewish organizations.
This program is designed for Lay leaders from across North American Jewish organizations of all types, including social justice, social services, synagogue, advocacy, education, community relations, philanthropy, campus engagement, and interreligious partnerships are eligible to participate.
For more information for Lay Leaders, read details below.
For more information for Professionals, please click here.
Program Elements
- Learn in Real Time with a Cohort. Through both online and in person sessions
- Delve into Issues and Strategies. Come together with your cohort for important in-person learning in a three-day seminar at Spertus Institute’s Chicago campus.
- Collaborate with Professionals. Throughout the program learn alongside professionals doing this work through the LCCA professionals’ track.
- Develop a Strong Network. Build bonds and share resources with board members and trustees of Jewish organizations across North America.
- Gain a Tool Kit of Practical Skills. Learn theory and practice, with case studies and experiential learning.
You Will Gain
- Broad knowledge of historical and current manifestations of antisemitism
- A network of institutional leaders with whom you can share talents, resources, relationships, and support
- Skills in community engagement, risk assessment, and strategic philanthropy
- Confidence in crisis communications and critical conversations
- Insight into views of antisemitism outside the Jewish community to build interreligious bonds and cross-community alliances
- An overview of the landscape of antisemitism and social media
Spertus specializes in combining a theoretical and historical perspective along with action. We dove into deep discussions of old solutions as well as new strategies that our community needs.
DANIEL GOLDWIN
Chief Public Affairs Officer
Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Chicago
I returned home with renewed confidence, a deeper sense of identity, and a clearer voice in addressing antisemitism. I am a stronger, more effective leader because of this program.
NANCY BARNETT
Second Generation Speaker,
Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center, Milwaukee, WI
Program Dates
LCCA Cohort 3 for Lay Leaders is a hybrid program, with four online sessions via Zoom and a mandatory three-day seminar at Spertus Institute in Chicago. This cohort will run in parallel to the LCCA cohort for Professionals of Jewish organizations, with some opportunities for shared learning. We encourage Lay Leader/Professional pairs from the same organization to apply!
The program dates for Jewish organization Lay Leaders/Board Members are:
- Tuesday, September 29 (online): 6-8 p.m. CT
- Monday, October 5 or Tuesday, October 6* (online): 6-8 p.m. CT
- Monday, October 12 or Tuesday, October 13* (online): 6-8 p.m. CT
- Monday, October 19 or Tuesday, October 20* (online): 6-8 p.m. CT
- Monday, October 26 – Wednesday, October 28: Seminar at Spertus
*Dates will be finalized before the start of the program.
Cost
The total cost of the program is $5,500. Thanks to generous subsidies designated for this important program, the tuition is $2,500.
Travel and accommodation during the in-person seminar are not included in the tuition cost.
Additional scholarship funds ($250 per person) are available for Professionals and Lay Leaders from the same organization who are both accepted to the program (i.e., an Executive Director and Board Chair of the same organization).
Next Steps
Click below to make an appointment to talk to Amie Barrish, Associate Director for Recruitment, to find out if the Leadership Certificate in Combating Antisemitism for Lay Leaders is right for you.
Ready to Apply?
- May 18, 2026: Preferred Admissions Deadline ($50 application fee waived)
- August 3, 2026: Final Application Deadline
Are you a Professional with a Jewish organization?
Learn more about the Leadership Certificate in Combating Antisemitism for Professionals (LCCA)