When 28 NLP participants graduated during a special ceremony last week, they joined an elite cadre of Jewish civic leaders who have completed this year-long program.
Cheered on by friends, family, and NLP alumni at the Bradley Tower at Los Angeles City Hall, each graduate accepted recognition from elected officials from every level of government. Graduates also shared their visions of each other’s civic journeys moving forward.
Keynote speaker Los Angeles City Councilmember Marqueece Harris Dawson reflected on his time as a community activist and implored the NLP graduates to commit themselves to improving our city. His friendship with The Jewish Federation began when he participated in the Community Leaders Trip to Israel in 2012.
Other speakers included NLP alumnus and incoming Chair of the Federation’s Community Engagement Strategic Initiative Jesse Gabriel, Senior Vice President of Community Engagement and External Affairs Catherine Schneider, and NLP facilitator and graduation Master of Ceremonies Alisa Katz.
The NLP graduation capped a year in which participants heard from top elected leaders, policy experts and community advocates, and honed their leadership skills. This diverse group of men and women came from different backgrounds and professional fields. Some are business executives, social entrepreneurs, non-profit directors, or actors, and others work as lawyers or public policy professionals. The common thread they share is a passion for making L.A. a better place.
The Jewish Federation congratulates all of the graduates and will continue working with these New Leaders as they fight to improve our community.
The New Leaders Project is the premier Jewish civic leadership training program in Los Angeles. To learn more about NLP, visit www.JewishLA.org/NLP.
