The Orthodox Union (OU) Executive Fellowship is shaping the future of Jewish leadership by providing young professionals with hands-on experience in the nonprofit sector. Through full-time roles within the OU and specialized fellowship activities, participants gain invaluable insight into communal work while developing skills that will serve them for years to come.
As one of 11 fellows this year, I’ve had the opportunity to take on meaningful projects that directly impact the Jewish community. The experience has been incredibly rewarding and has reinforced my commitment to working in the nonprofit space.
Led by Shai Kopitnikoff and Adina Peck, the 10-month fellowship is designed to immerse participants in Jewish communal leadership. From professional development seminars to site visits and international missions, fellows engage with Jewish organizations across the spectrum and gain real-world experience and to apply their knowledge to strengthen Jewish communal life.
Merging Professional Experience With Leadership Training
Our time is divided between our full-time roles in OU departments and fellowship activities, which range from lunchtime HR training to weeklong international missions. This dual approach ensures that fellows not only develop our careers but also enhance our ability to address the evolving needs of the Jewish community.
My fellowship has been working with the NCSY national marketing team. I’ve had the chance to engage with every facet of NCSY, ranging from summer programs and public school clubs (Jewish Student Union), to girls-only programming (“4G”) and more. This role has allowed me to explore different angles of my emerging career, testing the waters by developing new skills and experimenting with different marketing channels.
I’ve co-managed the national social media accounts, supported executives in crafting thought leadership pieces, and even project managed the brand experience for one of the year’s largest national events, among other initiatives.
Through this immersion in the world of NCSY, I’ve begun to see Jewish community through a marketing lens. I’ve found that my interest in photography and videography has opened opportunities to capture the energy and passion at NCSY events and document the important moments we’ve had the privilege to experience as a fellowship cohort. Whether it’s the OU Executive Leadership Conference, a post-election day event at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, or our volunteer mission to Israel, I’m always taking the opportunity to capture these moments of Jewish unity and leadership.
Building Connections Across Jewish Communities
Beyond the OU headquarters at 40 Rector Street, the fellowship fosters engagement with Jewish communities across North America and Israel. On an Israel Free Spirit Birthright volunteer mission, we volunteered, visited the Nova site and engaged with OU Israel initiatives. The trip flooded me with questions about the differing needs of NCSY participants in the U.S. and Israel and what they could learn from each other, especially following Oct. 7. The trip concluded with an NCSY Israel “Laffa and Limud” event, where American and Israeli teens connected through learning and shared experiences. I had the opportunity to speak with the advisors and interview them for a social media video, and it quickly became clear how deeply they care about their work.
The fellowship has been deliberate in broadening our view of the Jewish community beyond our respective departments. For example, in a meeting with the Yeshiva University Career Center, we found common ground about the importance of LinkedIn in career development. We joined an insightful meeting between the UJA and the OU Center for Communal Research in which participants discussed the state of the Jewish community that captured my attention in ways that I wouldn’t have imagined.
One of the most meaningful aspects of this program has been the opportunity to engage with Jewish communities on a deeper level. Whether meeting with leaders in the U.S. or connecting with students in Israel, the fellowship has shown me just how vital it is to invest in the next generation of Jewish leadership.
A Launchpad for Jewish Nonprofit Careers
As the Jewish nonprofit sector faces a leadership pipeline challenge, the OU Executive Fellowship is playing a critical role in preparing the next generation of professionals. By offering mentorship, immersive experiences and career development opportunities, the program ensures that participants are equipped to lead with vision and impact.
For those considering a career in Jewish communal work, the fellowship offers an unparalleled opportunity to gain firsthand experience, build professional networks and make a meaningful contribution to the future of Jewish life. I am looking forward to my future career and the impact our entire cohort of fellows will continue to have on the Jewish nonprofit world.
Miri Granik is a fellow in the (OU) Executive Fellowship.
