Spertus Institute. 100 Years of Jewish learning for a better world
Spertus Institute. 100 Years of Jewish learning for a better world

Connect & Learn: Building Your Curiosity Around Data

Building Your Curiosity Around Data

Thursday, December 18, 2025 12:30 to 1:30 PM CDT

Register Today

Data are all around us and we’re often closed off to interacting with it because data are confusing. In this Connect and Learn, we will explore basic concepts of data literacy and data neutrality and practice being open to what data can do to enhance our work. From asking the right questions and organizing your data collection from the start to testing assumptions and verifying what we know, staying open and remaining curious will set you up for success. 
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Spertus faculty member Dr. Rachel Leventhal-Weiner leads this session.

Dr. Rachel Leventhal-Weiner is the Director of Research and Evaluation in Connecticut’s Office of Policy and Management. Initially, her charge was to tell the story of the American Rescue Plan funding using data to show the people of Connecticut how it matters. The role has grown to include support and development for research using the state’s integrated data system. Dr. Leventhal-Weiner came to the Office of Policy and Management from the Office of Early Childhood (OEC), where she served as the first Chief Research and Planning Officer. Rachel has served Connecticut nonprofits as an educator, researcher and advocate over the last ten years. A self-proclaimed data evangelist, her passion is helping organizations use information about their work to improve how they serve people and communities. She is a passionate public speaker and believes everyone has the potential to be (or already is) a data person. 

Presented by Spertus Institute and JPro Chicago, Connect & Learn is an online, community-building, professional development series.

Connect & Learn workshops offer participants around the world a chance to join Spertus students and alumni for lively sessions on topics key to Jewish professional life today.

Build skills you can apply immediately to your life and work. Become part of a network of learners and Jewish community leaders. Sessions are online, live, interactive, and collaborative. Each session includes time to connect, network, meet new colleagues, and strengthen relationships. Sessions are free of charge thanks to the generosity of our sponsors.

Programs take place via Zoom. Ticket holders will receive login instructions by email 24 hours in advance.

Connect & Learn is presented in partnership with JPro Chicago.

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This series is presented under the auspices of Spertus Institute’s Center for Jewish Leadership, supported in part by a generous grant from the Crown Family.

This program is a Solomon Goldman Program, endowed by the late Rose and Sidney Shure.

If you can, we encourage you to make a gift to support this free program and others like it!

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