“To be a leader, you do not need a crown or robes of office. All you need to do is to write your chapter in the story, do deeds that heal some of the pain of this world, and act so that others become a little better for having known you. Live so that, through you, our ancient covenant with God is renewed in the only way that matters: in life.”
–Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z”l
This week, Gateways underwent an important leadership transition as we paid tribute to our Board President of four years, Michelle S. Alkon, and installed our new Co-Presidents of the Board Nora Friedman and Dara Grossman at our Annual Meeting this past Monday evening.
When I started last August, Michelle was determined to ensure I was set up for success in my new role as CEO of Gateways. While there were never crowns or robes of office — our offices were virtual and we never worked together in person — Michelle’s candor, openness, and deep personal devotion to Gateways always shone through the perennial computer screen.
These values were the guideposts of our successful lay leader/staff partnership. Together, among many things that Gateways accomplished during the pandemic, we were able to oversee a fruitful strategic planning process, which culminated in the unanimous approval by our Board of a new Strategy Roadmap at our Annual Meeting. This Roadmap outlines a mandate for how Gateways will redouble our commitment to supporting systemic change in formal and informal Jewish educational settings. I look forward to sharing more about this Roadmap with you in future communiques!
So who will our next lay leader partners be as we seek to implement this Strategy Roadmap? At the Annual Meeting, Michelle introduced our new Co-Presidents of the Board beautifully, “Both Dara and Nora have held leadership roles on the Gateways Board for many years.
“They understand the vital work that Gateways does and the role we play in our community… Each brings her own valuable perspective to Gateways. They represent the dream team for leadership.”
I hope you will join me in thanking Michelle for her tremendous service as Board President these last four years and in welcoming Dara and Nora as they enter their new co-presidency and help write the next chapter of Gateways’ story.
I am so grateful for our leadership and to YOU for your devoted service to Gateways’ mission of providing access for all of our children to Jewish life and learning.
Shabbat shalom,
