What's Happening?
Moving Traditions, a Jewish youth-serving organization, successfully merged with jGirls+, another feminist organization, in February 2025. This merger is part of a broader trend of transitions within the Jewish nonprofit
sector, marked by executive changes and the closure of several organizations. The merger has been described as seamless, leading to significant programmatic and participation growth for Moving Traditions. The success of this merger is attributed to embracing feminist notions of power, which focus on additive power-sharing rather than zero-sum dynamics. The organizations engaged in introspective practices and took their time to ensure a smooth transition, ultimately creating a stronger joint entity.
Why It's Important?
The merger between Moving Traditions and jGirls+ is significant as it demonstrates the potential for feminist leadership models to enhance organizational effectiveness and impact. By redefining power dynamics, the merger has strengthened both organizations, allowing them to better serve Jewish teens and their communities. This approach challenges conventional power structures and offers a model for other organizations, regardless of their focus, to pursue sustainable growth and collaboration. The merger also addresses concerns about the shrinking Jewish feminist sector, presenting a corrective rather than contributing to the decline.
What's Next?
The successful merger sets a precedent for other organizations in the Jewish nonprofit sector to consider similar collaborations. Moving Traditions and jGirls+ plan to continue leveraging their combined strengths to expand their reach and impact. The merger may inspire other organizations to adopt feminist leadership principles, fostering a more inclusive and effective nonprofit landscape. As the joint organization continues to grow, it will likely explore new opportunities for programmatic expansion and community engagement.
Beyond the Headlines
The merger highlights the importance of introspection and patience in organizational transitions, offering lessons for other nonprofits facing similar challenges. It underscores the value of questioning assumptions and embracing feminist leadership beyond feminist organizations, promoting ethical and sustainable growth. The merger also reflects broader societal shifts towards more inclusive and collaborative leadership models, potentially influencing other sectors.
