Our StoryYoung people are less religiously affiliated than ever before. Nearly one-third of American Millennials don't belong to a faith community and only 10 percent are looking for one. Faith-based institutions across the country struggle to attract, engage, and retain young adults.
Yet against this bleak backdrop, a hopeful landscape is emerging. Millennials are flocking to a host of new organizations that deepen community in ways that are powerful, surprising, and perhaps even religious. Here in Boston, we have experienced the rise of new and innovative communities firsthand, including SoulCycle, the Dinner Party, Relevant Media Group, and Daybreaker, and an increasing number of individuals are becoming members of these communities across our city. Whether they gather around fitness, art, or any number of other shared practices, these religion-like communities are increasing human connection - and emerging at a rapid pace throughout Greater Boston. As one of the leading Jewish federations in the country, CJP understands the need for the ancient and the emergent to meet. CJP is excited to play a role in the emerging field of spiritual entrepreneurship, by piloting this cohort to support leaders who have proven successful at bringing otherwise disengaged young people into meaningful community. |
Program Components |
The Boston Community Leaders Cohort will be a 9-month program for 20 innovative leaders who are past the “launch” stage of their communities. The individuals in this program will span the secular-sacred divide, representing multiple faith traditions and none. All of their communities will serve the Greater Boston area.
The program will consist of the following components:
The program will consist of the following components:
- An opportunity to participate in the national How We Gather retreat in September at the Isabella Freedman Retreat Center
- Access to a circle of “elders” to provide feedback and guidance throughout the year
- Access to a network of like-minded peers in the same geographic area
- Monthly programming that is relevant to the field of spiritual entrepreneurship – including peer-to-peer skill sharing, TED style talks, and panels
- A cohort retreat in May
- Access to a pool of funding for collaborations among participants
- A "journey partner" from the cohort for peer-to-peer wisdom and accountability
- A monthly newsletter outlining interesting articles and events in the Boston area
- Access to CJP’s network of leaders
Elders
At the intersection of community leadership, innovation, and spirituality, there is tremendous wisdom to draw upon. We have found that many leaders lack connection to trustworthy sources of insight regarding the deeper questions they are asking and the thorny problems they face. Often, the most valuable insight comes from relationships of trust.
Nationwide, innovative community leaders have expressed the desire for relationships with "elders" (not an age; a way of being!) to support their progress and authorize their leadership in meaning-making spaces. They have also expressed that they are seeking practices that nurture their spiritual development, strength, and resilience – especially practices rooted in wisdom traditions.
Based on these findings, we will include a circle of elders in this program. These elders will serve as a spiritual support system – offering guidance and a listening ear when it comes to both practical leadership questions and the bigger, deeper questions of life. These elders will come from a variety of religious, demographic, and experiential backgrounds.
Nationwide, innovative community leaders have expressed the desire for relationships with "elders" (not an age; a way of being!) to support their progress and authorize their leadership in meaning-making spaces. They have also expressed that they are seeking practices that nurture their spiritual development, strength, and resilience – especially practices rooted in wisdom traditions.
Based on these findings, we will include a circle of elders in this program. These elders will serve as a spiritual support system – offering guidance and a listening ear when it comes to both practical leadership questions and the bigger, deeper questions of life. These elders will come from a variety of religious, demographic, and experiential backgrounds.
