good morning and welcome to mosaic. i am rabbi eric weiss and honored to be your host. throughout the country and the world, communities are asking important questions about how we care for one another, get to know each other and form leaders into the next generation. we would like to invite you into a conversation with some of the ways the jewish community is answering those questions. we have some israelis here from a very special organization i

would like to introduce you to the rep of the rabbi of the organization. welcome. >> good to be here. >> let's jump right in and asked, what does this do? >> this means hues and it brings people together from the israeli society. people from the old orthodox world, the orthodox world, i am a reformed rabbi -- people from eastern backgrounds and european backgrounds. people from different socioeconomical statuses. we are there to work together in order to create a group that will deepen the pluralistic nature of israeli society. >> in israel, when we think

of the word pluralistic, what does that mean to you as an israeli and is really culture -- israel culture. >> it means to get to know others. others from the society and to be open-minded and see that there are different people around us. we usually judge them by the way they look, think, walk or what they are wearing or what kind of language they are speaking. at the end of the day, when you get them into the room together and you find out you have things in common and may be differences, that you are open- minded and can learn from each other in order to create a better society that we wish to raise our kids in. >> what attracted you in particular? >> the one thing i was

looking for was to be part of the group that, at the end of the day, would create something. i don't know what kind of a thing. but when i got there at the mosque, i met different people. it opened my eyes for how many choices i have as a person does to create something or to be joining something happening. and what can i bring for myself in order to help that group succeed. i am very happy i got there. >> rabbi, can you talk about the differences that you have noticed in your self and the group of people who have come to meet in this context? >> sure. first of all, it is wonderful to make new friends. i have done -- friends from

the israeli society that i don't encounter every day. and that opens my heart. because i believe that the way to make changes on the personal level. that can really change. it can change my life and the life of the people around me. it raises my curiosity. it really empowers me in a way that -- i feel i can make a difference. it is not only about me but about the people that are with me in the group. i feel together, we can make a change. >> how many are there in there? >> 15, i believe. >> can you give us a sense of the structure and what you do during the course of a year -- what you do together? >> we meet one time a month.

every meeting takes place in a different location. >> for a full day. >> for a full day. it is led by one of the numbers of the group. for example, we had a day in jerusalem where the orthodox community is. we had a day in jerusalem at the reform college. we had a day in the south of jerusalem that was led by a member of the group that was very active in advancing para- burial people in israel -- every day is led by a different member of the group and deals with the topics he or she prevents -- presents. >> if they are on the periphery, they are on the margins of israeli society. so as an example, it is always hard to talk about populations

-- but for the sake of language, what is an example in a israeli society of someone who might be on the periphery? >> we know that the big cities in israel are judaism does and you have other cities. we have people that live in the south. people that live geographically on the periphery. >> that is one periphery. we have a member in the group that is a representative of the israeli russian community. we have members that really represent different people of different colors and shapes and tastes. it is really a privilege to be part of such a group. >> we are going to take a quick break. we are going to come back in just a moment here on mosaic.

good morning. welcome back to mosaic. i am rabbi eric weiss. we're talking about the ways that people get to know one another and move into areas of leadership in this case, in israel. we are introducing you to a rabbi and jerusalem and an

organization which provides free legal services to training people. >> let's talk about the broader framework. what brings you to the san francisco bay area. i know there is a connection to the jewish community federation of san francisco -- if you can just talk a little bit about that connection for us. >> the program was established by the san francisco federation in israel. they are having the same programs here in san francisco and all over the united states. it is a little bit different from what we are having in israel. i think one of the things the federation is trying to create is to take

all the differences and kinds of people in the israel society and pull them together and asking really hard questions about our identity -- and how do we see our future. probably different from the discussions that the groups in the united states are having. we have some common things. >> this is the 13th cohort -- so that means the 13th year of the federation program that goes on in israel. can you talk a little bit about the kind of impact that you have seen that it has had in israel -- i imagine something about the impact attracted you to want to be part of the current cohort. >> i believe that this can really change a lot of things. normally people from different ends of the society don't necessarily meet and are very detached from one another.

it is a very meaningful point. in israel, that community is very separate from the rest of the people. this is important especially for me as a reformed rabbi. so i really am very hopeful and optimistic that we can work together and bring people closer. i served in a community and jerusalem that is very diverse. in this community, there is tension between the old orthodox residents and the other residents in the neighborhood. i am very hopeful that, things to their relationships -- those relationships i am forming this year, that we can bring people closer and have people talk to each other. >> can you talk about the two of you together -- you are two of a larger cohort.

can you give us a sense of where you come from and where your families come from? you illustrate what the diversity of israeli society really is. >> i immigrated to israel with my family when i was seven from ethiopia. i identified myself as a jewish israeli woman who was born in ethiopia but raised in israel. i worked a lot in these communities. i believe they are struggling for equal rights and having justice -- especially when it comes to the communities that are immigrants. i also believe oh -- and am very optimistic about how our society in israel became very open-minded about everything

-- some of the participants -- they see them not always in a good way. but we may think the same thing about the israel society or our lives as parents, children and part of the country -- and seeing in a different angle, the goodness of the community. which i think i feel the same way too. i think if the program wanted to create this open-minded thing, it is really happening. it is really happening. >> we are going to take a break -- but rabbi, if you can let us know where you come from and your family. >> my father is american. is from brooklyn. he emigrated to israel in 69.

my mother came to israel from iraq. they met there. within me, i have a european side and a middle eastern side. those are two very important sides of my personality. i try to portray them and what i do. >> in your particular family, did you grow up speaking english and hebrew and arabic? >> mostly hebrew. both of my parents wanted to raise a israeli kid that talked hebrew. that was something important to them. that is why they went to israel. >> oshra, rabbi, believe it or not, we need to say goodbye to the two of you. thank you for being with us. we will return to mosaic and continue this conversation about the way we care for each other and form leadership into the next generation. please join us in a moment back here on mosaic.

good morning and welcome back to mosaic. i am rabbi eric weiss and honored to be your host. we are in the middle of a wonderful conversation where we talk about ways in which we get to know one another and care for one another and how that influences the ways we look for leaders in the next generation. i would like to introduce you to sara and alex who are board members of the jewish federation in san francisco. the jewish federation of san francisco, marin and sonoma counties. welcome. >> if we use our time with the folks earlier as a segue, can you talk about how the jewish community has commitment to development in our community and also in the state of

israel. >> sure. i think, this is representative of our federation's overall mission and strategy for the way that we connect to israel and the way we invest in israel. with the overarching goal being to inspire and create a shared society. as you heard in the previous conversation, they are at the heart of the effort. bringing people together from across the israeli society from different communities and different religious backgrounds and heritages even. bringing them together for a shared experience, to understand themselves as jewish, israeli and part of this larger mosaic that makes up israeli society. >> the san francisco bay area is so diverse in general -- in the jewish community, we are jewish of color and lgbt. we are jewish from various

backgrounds. many russian jewish people and other folks. and end -- in the intra- american society way, there are people in the bay area that come from other states in the country. i'm wondering, in that broader context, how does the federation think about leadership development among ourselves here and in our community. can i turn to you, alex, to jump into that? >> thank you. i think the federation, as an agency -- is a convener of people and sources in the community. they understand the importance of bringing everybody into a big community tent. not having silos. the big word today in our community is engagement. leadership is another big word. and i think, engagement is

something that depends on leadership and leaders. so who engages the folks in the community to get involved? who marshals the resources to create -- not only the federation but the other agencies and supports that have been around so long. and all the institutions and services we all enjoy. i think the federation takes a broader perspective and it really relies on -- the next generation of leaders to come in and carry on the work that has been done and make sure we provide for the future, given the existential realities on the ground here and on the ground in israel for example. for both societies have challenges. we need leaders to address them. i think the federation is doing a great job of addressing that. >> can you talk about what you think leadership challenges are going to be into the next generation. we often talk about leadership development -- about the lessons learned and

the way a previous generation took leadership on with the issues that confronted it's time. we all know that leadership isn't stagnant. we all have to depend on what tomorrow brings. i am wondering -- from your perspective, what are some of the leadership challenge is on the horizon that we are going to face and need to understand more seriously and meet the need for? >> it is a great question. one that we ask ourselves on a regular basis within the organized jewish community, which is why there is such an emphasis on nexgen engagement. i think the role is more of a challenge. it actually speaks to what we were saying about this idea of being open and creating an open community. our biggest opportunity -- where i think the federation is investing a lot of its work in this area of leadership development is in building true

authentic community is. not just creating spaces where people show up from perhaps a sense of duty or obligation -- it used to be that if you are jewish, you are involved in the organized jewish community. given where we are in america today and the rate of a simulation and the fact that we are free citizens of this country and we can participate however we choose -- it is not a given that we opt into the organized jewish community. what the federation has realized is the importance of realizing an open authentic space for people like myself or my generation to come in and express ourselves and express our values in a way that is personally meaningful for us and to be able to share that with others as a way of connecting to something larger than ourselves -- which i really think is at the core of community and leadership. >> sara and alex, we are going to take a quick break and

come back to mosaic in just a moment. [ cell phone rings ] >> yeah, i'm watching it too. i see them every day. >> the curtains, they're always drawn in this place. >> i know. >> that guy, it seems like he's in charge of them. i don't know, i don't feel very good about this.

>> we have to report this. >> yes, absolutely. good morning and welcome back to mosaic. i am rabbi eric weiss and honored to be your host. we are in the middle of a wonderful conversation about leadership development in the jewish community. i would welcome back the part numbers of the jewish community federation of san francisco and marin, sonoma counties and the peninsula.

welcome back sara and alex we were talking about leadership development and the ways in which people feel engaged in entering to authentic spaces and relationships and the ways in which people feel cared for and known. i'm wondering if you can talk in a personal way about the effect that your involvement with the jewish community federation has had on you, in terms of feeling that you are part of something important. as you are saying, something that is beyond yourself. let me start with you, sara. >> being a part of the jewish community federation has been a multifaceted experience. i think that is part of the beauty of the organization. anyone may find a certain entry point where you start to get involved. for me, it was actually through women's philanthropy and the young adult division. with my involvement with those two groups, not only did i get to know different people from the community, but also in an

intergenerational way which i think is tremendously valuable in terms of learning about the kind of leadership and engagement models that came before us. there my involvement in each of those groups, i was able to meet other members and representatives of the community. people that serve in wonderful leadership positions who have taken the time to mentor me, to share their stories and their experiences. but also to hear about my story and who i am and what inspires me to be at the table. and i think that through those conversations, those shared engagement opportunities and experiences, that not only do we learn about the whole of the community but for me, i continue to learn more about myself and who i am and how i identify as a jewish american. >> wonderful. we have just a little bit of time. it is a big question. what about you? >> my own trajectory was such that coming from the soviet union and emigrating here with my family, we came from a place

where we were limited in our ability to explore and express our judaism. when i came here, i was fortunate that i had a bar mitzvah and attended hebrew school but later became disconnected from the community because i did not find an entry point as sara mentioned. i was fortunate enough to go on a trip to israel answered by the federation. the great thing they did was, they said if you go on this trip, you have to come back and get involved. there is a whole tapestry of things you can do. but you have to get involved. i took them up on that offer and was sort of assured and courted and taken along to various opportunities to get involved. i met a lot of fascinating people. now i am able to participate in this community with all of the resources, services and wonderful folks -- where i can get a sense of how i want to live my life as jewish and the kind of community i want to pass along to my children. >> so wonderful.

believe it or not, we have come to the end of our time together. alex and sara, thank you so much. please take the risk and a leap of faith to get to know somebody and to get to know what it is to care and get to know your community. thank you for being with us here on mosaic.

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