NEW COHORT—The second group of the young leadership program Machar includes (left to right): front, Danniella Dennenberg, Shoshanna Krall, Zeo Cohen, Raye Rose; middle, Julie Rosenberg, Dan Salomon, Lauren Shapiro; standing, Laura Davis, Alex Berke, Jesse Schwartz, Yael Podebsky, Seth Kaplan and Director Sarah Liebman; and not pictured Rachel Pollak, Aimee Coughlin, Claire Polansky, Jason Holtz, Lucas Taylor, Melissa Hayden, Justin Shear and Dana Keren.

Machar begins training second group of young leaders

By JEWISH REVIEW

article created on: 2008-10-15T00:00:00

Machar, Portland’s national model young adult leadership incubator, launched its second group Sept. 21 at a champagne brunch in North Portland that brought the new Macharniks together with members of the original Machar cohort.
 
The 18 new Macharniks are a diverse group. One third of them come from intermarried families. Their Jewish backgrounds range from no Jewish education or participation until a few months ago to Jewish day school or extended Jewish study through Avodah, Otzmah, Rothberg International School or other programs.
 
“They are an incredibly talented and engaged group,” said Machar Founding Director Sarah Liebman. “They have great ideas and a profound commitment to building Jewish community. I know I will kvell watching them plan the events that will get their peers involved in something Jewish this year and beyond.”

Macharniks participate in Florence Melton Adult Mini School classes, leadership skills training and mentoring. With the support of Machar and with seed money from a Jewish Federation of Greater Portland Innovation Impact grant, Macharniks working individually or in groups will envision and create events, groups and programming they believe will engage their peers in Jewish life and build Jewish community.
 
Machar projects this year will include supporting the launch of Kayam, a Jewish environmental community founded by Macharnik Shoshanna Krall that will be based on the east side.
 
“I’m ready for more Jewish learning: text study, rituals and holidays, etc. I also like the communal aspects. I’m excited about leadership in a Jewish context. I hope to gain more Jewish knowledge and literacy and I hope to become a leader in this community,” said participant Justin Shear.
 
Daniella Dennenberg is participating in Machar “to meet fellow Jews, to deepen my critical thinking skills and my relationship to myself and pride in my heritage.”
 
Last year’s Machar cohort has planned more than 40 events and on their watch Machar’s email list of young adults grew from roughly 200 young adults to close to 700.