160 leaders gathered for connection, learning, and leadership — leaving with purpose, tools, and lasting relationships
For over a decade, Chumie Jacobson of Boca Raton, Florida, has served the Jewish community in various leadership positions, most recently as the executive director of Keren Hashviis, a nonprofit currently focused on helping Israeli farmers save their land, much of which was devastated by the events of October 7. Jacobson is also a member of the Orthodox Union’s Women’s Initiative’s COLI (Community Organization Leadership Initiative) Boca, a program that equips Orthodox female leaders with valuable skills and support.
It was through COLI that she learned about the Women’s Initiative’s biennial Leadership Summit, which recently took place at the Delta Hotels Woodbridge in Iselin, New Jersey.
“After hearing glowing reports about the summit from fellow cohort members, I decided to participate for the first time this year,” she says. “I didn’t really know what to expect, but I was hoping to network with other women and learn practical tips from the lectures. I definitely emerged with more than I anticipated. I was so impressed by all of it; the lectures were fabulous, and the networking was superbly facilitated and really helpful.”
Launched in 2019, this year’s summit brought together 160 seasoned and emerging female lay leaders from across the United States, Canada, and Israel for two days of inspiration, connection, and idea-sharing. Geared toward community builders of all ages, the summit offered participants a chance to learn, grow, and network with fellow professionals while honing their communication, leadership, and fundraising skills, as well as developing strategies for volunteer engagement and organizational growth. All of this took place within the context of a rapidly changing world — particularly in the wake of October 7 —where fundraising strategies and communal priorities have notably shifted.
What stood out most to Jacobson was the diversity of the women, and how naturally warm and welcoming the atmosphere felt.
“The best part for me was the participants,” she says. “160 women whom I could relate to, look up to, and also offer advice to; women I could network with, and learn so much from, simultaneously. Everyone wanted to learn from one another, to support and inspire each other—and we did. I’m inspired by all I learned, I’m excited about the connections I made, and I’m in awe of the women who made this happen.”
OU Women’s Initiative Founding Director, Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman, who delivered opening and closing remarks alongside Assistant Director and Leadership Program Coordinator Adeena Mayerfeld, says participants’ camaraderie and warmth were palpable throughout the event.
“There was a real sense of desire to be there, and a gratitude towards the Orthodox Union for their support in creating a collaborative atmosphere,” she reflects. “There was a shared effort to foster meaningful connections among one another.”
The summit opened with a powerful presentation by Dr. Hindi Posy, an obstetrician/gynecologist, lawyer, and rebbetzin, titled, Behind the Scenes and Center Stage: Leadership with Vision, Grace, and Grit.
Throughout the conference, attendees heard from senior OU leadership, including OU Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph, OU Executive Vice President Rabbi Moshe Hauer and OU Managing Director of Communal Engagement Rabbi Yaakov Glasser, who shared reflections, and offered participants support and inspiration.
“As I walked into the Women’s Initiative Leadership Summit, the energy was palpable and resonated deeply with a religiously elevated, vibrant, and growing community of belonging and inspiration,” says Rabbi Dr. Joseph. “I am looking forward to all the takeaways and follow ups from this important gathering of current and future baalos achrayus.”
The summit’s 30 presenters included keynote speaker Dr. Erica Brown, Vice Provost for Values and Leadership at Yeshiva University, and Founding Director of its Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks-Herenstein Center for Values and Leadership. She delivered two sessions, Attentive Listening and Networking, and Making Better Mistakes, and led a lineup of nationally-recognized leaders and internal OU experts who addressed timely topics, and equipped attendees with actionable skills grounded in real-world contexts.
“It’s really important to the Women’s Initiative to showcase our experts here at the Orthodox Union,” says Mayerfeld. “We want to expose our female leaders not only to skills, but to the incredible work being done by our own colleagues within the OU.”
Participants chose from 36 beginner and advanced sessions centering on themes such as collaboration, overcoming common challenges, and achieving communal impact, as well as practical strategies for effective communication, team-building, fundraising, marketing, and volunteer retention. Sessions also explored how to clarify an organization’s vision and mission, plan for sustainable growth, and take the first steps to launch, or strengthen, an initiative.
For Chaya Tova Hartman of Chicago, a national vice president of the OU who serves on the NCSY and the Women’s Initiative Commissions, reuniting in person with friends from the previous summit was especially meaningful.
“We were so excited to see each other,” says Hartman, who also co-chairs Upward Community, a nonprofit that supports the emotional and mental health of Jewish adolescents, young adults and their families. “Seeing those faces again, and feeling that kind of sisterhood, spirit, energy, and achdus, was a true highlight.”
After attending the summit two years ago, Hartman launched the Chicago division of the Women’s Initiative of COLI. At this year’s summit, she co-led a session with Mayerfeld focused on nurturing new leadership and supporting the recruitment, training, and connection of emerging leaders.
A notable aspect of the summit was the dedication of its presenters. Many stayed for the duration of the event, underscoring their investment in the mission and in the women present. Their commitment helped create a collective spirit of growth and encouragement.
“They weren’t just here to share their expertise; they were fully engaged,” says Mayerfeld. “They wanted to connect, to be supportive, and to be part of something meaningful. It was clear they felt invested in participants’ growth.”
One of the summit’s greatest gifts was space — space to step away from daily responsibilities, reflect on leadership roles, and reconnect with purpose. Set in a nurturing and inspiring environment, the program gave participants time to recharge and engage with others facing similar challenges.
Many women expressed how deeply meaningful it was to be cared for. As ones who are constantly “doing” for others, having everything – from meals to materials – prepared for them, offered a rare chance to focus inward. That atmosphere of restoration was reinforced by relaxing evening activities, including yoga and glass painting.
Rebbetzin Dr. Shmidman was especially moved by the turnout at the Torat Imecha Nach Yomi shiur presented by OU Women’s Initiative Torah Programming Coordinator Dr. Ayelet Shachar.
“Seeing many women start their day with Nach Yomi, our flagship program, highlighted the reach and impact of our initiatives,” she says. “It was quite powerful and rewarding to see the convergence of two different Women’s Initiative programs.”
Although Nach Yomi is typically recorded for participants to access at their convenience, Hartman cherished the chance to study in person for the first time.
“Studying Nach Yomi with Dr. Shachar as a group was incredible,” she says. “I learned a perspective that changed my day. Although Nach Yomi generally does that for me, learning it in person with others really set the tone for a powerful day.”
In addition to one-on-one meetings with female leaders, participants were assigned seating at lunch based on their specific interests and challenges. A networking session organized around areas of communal involvement was another highlight for Jacobson, who deeply appreciated the opportunity to connect with women doing similar work.
“The networking tables allowed me to connect with women in similar roles, working on different causes for Israel,” she says. “These are relationships I truly hope to continue nurturing.”
Bracha Poliakoff, a board member of Mesorah Baltimore and co-founder of Elevate, an organization that offers young married women mentorship, connection, and community, returned for her third summit—this time as a presenter. Her experiential session, Unlocking Authentic Leadership: A Workshop for Jewish Leaders on Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Self-Doubt, provided practical tools for developing leadership confidence.
Poliakoff was particularly moved by the connections she made with women who shared her passion for adult education and innovative strategies to engage women across generations.
“One of the most unexpected and impactful connections I made was, ironically, with Shira Hochheimer, an educator from my own community,” she says. “At the summit, we developed an initiative to support women who are eager to learn Torah but lack certain foundational skills, helping them acquire the tools they need to become confident, independent learners. I am grateful to the OU Women’s Initiative team as well as to the dedicated and passionate support staff, and lay leadership, who made this incredible opportunity possible.”