Synagogue leadership is being redefined. Financial realities are shifting. Community needs are evolving. Today’s synagogue executives need the skills, vision, and confidence to lead through change.

In response to the evolving needs of today’s synagogue professionals, Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership, in partnership with the National Association for Temple Administration (NATA), is launching its second cohort of the Certificate in Synagogue Executive Leadership (CSEL).

Designed specifically for synagogue executives, this innovative certificate program provides a transformative opportunity to gain advanced professional knowledge and deepen Jewish learning in a cohort-based setting. In addition to elevating individual leadership of synagogue executive directors, the program is also designed to strengthen the broader field of synagogue administration as a whole, with bold, visionary leaders who are prepared for the complexities of contemporary Jewish communal life.

For over 80 years, NATA has supported the leadership of synagogue professionals across North America. This program marks a revitalized investment in that mission, offering a more streamlined, professionalized approach to training. Informed by both Spertus Institute’s expertise in Jewish leadership education and NATA’s deep understanding of congregational life, the certificate is rooted in real-world relevance and Jewish values. 

Beginning in December 2027, participants will engage in a five-month hybrid learning experience that combines immersive in-person intensives with dynamic online modules taught by faculty who are leaders in their field. Each of the three curriculum modules—Jewish Communal Leadership, Strategic Budgeting and Management, and Executive Leadership and People Management— explores a content pillar that is core to excellence in synagogue leadership, and integrates Jewish texts, ethical frameworks, and best practices in nonprofit leadership. 

The program is anchored by a commitment to applied Jewish learning: participants will engage in meaningful study that directly informs their work, guided by Spertus faculty who are both scholars and practitioners. The immersive design also provides participants with peer reflection groups and a strong network of diverse professional colleagues across North America. 

The certificate program is designed as an integrated journey that moves from personal leadership foundations to institutional strategy and operational excellence, culminating in adaptive leadership for change. 

Participants who complete this program will gain:

• Advanced non-profit training combining Jewish wisdom with real world strategy
• Skills tailored for synagogue executives, taught in a hybrid format
• A supportive peer network of synagogue leaders with opportunities to leverage each other’s talents, resources, and support
• A nationally recognized credential offering leadership and expertise