Lead announces 15-strong inaugural cohort for new Elevation leadership programme
Participants for ten month initiative drawn from community organisations including WIZO UK, Camp Simcha, Paperweight Trust and Limmud
Participants from organisations including Jewish Care, UJIA, FZY and Magen David Adom UK are amongst the inaugural cohort of the Elevation Leadership Programme, a new development initiative from Lead, the leadership division of the Jewish Leadership Council.
Designed specifically for high-potential mid-level leaders working across the UK Jewish community, the programme has been developed in response to extensive sector feedback and fills an important gap between Lead’s Adam Science Leadership Programme for emerging leaders and the Dangoor Senior Leadership Programme for senior leaders.
The 2026-27 cohort brings together fifteen professionals from a broad range of organisations, regions, denominational backgrounds and disciplines, including welfare, fundraising, youth engagement, community development, communications, operations, people management and synagogue leadership.
The participants are: Joanne Abrams (Magen David Adom UK); Joanne Beaumont (New North London synagogue); Bev Blass (Jewish Care); Jeni Burman (UJIA); Jenna Cash (Jewish Care); Rebecca Freeman (FZY); Hannah Gerson (Paperweight); Nicola Gold (Camp Simcha); Sarah Koster (Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue); Alanna Lewis (Limmud); Samantha McLeod (JW3); David Nielsen (United Synagogue); Annabel Ries, (United Synagogue); Debbie Rose (WIZO UK) and Jon Zecharia (Westminster Synagogue).
Launching after the chagim on 8th October and taking place over the next ten months, participants will take part in a programme combining leadership workshops, coaching, residential experiences and peer learning.
The programme has been designed to support leaders operating in the often- challenging space between delivery and strategy, where they are required to manage teams, navigate stakeholders and do so much to drive organisational performance.
The programme is co-directed by Alex Myers, leadership consultant, occupational psychologist and founder of Innate Strengths, and Nick Young, deputy head of programmes at the Jewish Leadership Council.
David Nielsen, head of marketing & communications at the United Synagogue and a member of the new cohort, said: “I’m delighted to have been selected as part of the first Elevation cohort. It comes at an important stage in my career, and I’m looking forward to learning from the programme, building relationships with colleagues from across the community, and developing the skills and confidence to become a more effective leader.”
Fellow participant Bev Blass, community hub manager for South Herts at Jewish Care, said: “I’m looking forward to learning from inspiring leaders, developing my skills and bringing new ideas back to support my organisation and make a positive difference to the communities we serve.”