What's Happening?
The Mayberg Foundation recently hosted its first Maalot Collab InGathering on October 19-20, 2026, bringing together 22 Jewish outreach practitioners from various organizations including Aish, Olami, NCSY, and M54. The event aimed to address the challenges
and opportunities faced by outreach professionals, focusing on issues such as burnout, sustainability, and professional development. Amanda Mizrahi, Managing Director of the Mayberg Foundation, emphasized the goal of strengthening the work for both the individuals involved and the broader Jewish community. The InGathering included discussions on a mapping study of outreach careers, metaphor exercises, and panel discussions on pressing issues, culminating in a plan for the Collab's focus in the coming year.
Why It's Important?
This initiative by the Mayberg Foundation is crucial for the Jewish community in the U.S. as it addresses the professional and personal well-being of Jewish outreach professionals. By fostering collaboration and providing a platform for shared learning, the Maalot Collab aims to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of Jewish outreach efforts. This directly impacts the ability of Jewish organizations to connect individuals to their heritage and community, which is vital for maintaining Jewish identity and continuity in the U.S. Addressing issues like burnout and professional development ensures that these professionals can continue their work effectively, thereby strengthening the fabric of Jewish communal life and its educational and spiritual offerings across the nation.
What's Next?
The Maalot Collab will now concretize the directions identified during the InGathering. This includes continuing to map the field of outreach professionals, assessing what works, and understanding what keeps them energized. They will also map organizational offerings against practitioner needs to facilitate knowledge transfer and best practices. A key focus will be defining the skills and character that constitute outreach expertise, laying groundwork for stackable certification in areas like leadership and pastoral care. The Collab plans to articulate concepts such as the psychology of change, form working groups, and hold further InGatherings. A work plan for the year will be shared soon, aiming to support professionals in building nourishing careers.
Beyond the Headlines
The Maalot Collab InGathering highlights a deeper, less obvious implication: the professionalization and institutional support for faith-based outreach work. Historically, such roles might have been informal or volunteer-driven, but this initiative recognizes the need for structured training, support, and career development for Jewish outreach professionals. This shift reflects a growing understanding that effective community engagement requires specialized skills and sustained effort, akin to other professional fields. The focus on preventing burnout and fostering a sense of community among practitioners also speaks to the emotional and spiritual demands of such work. This model could potentially influence other faith-based or community-oriented organizations in the U.S. to adopt similar strategies for supporting their frontline workers, thereby strengthening civil society and community resilience.
