Jewish leaders – I’m in awe of you.
Curveball after curveball, and still your resilience shines. Your reinvention inspires.
You’ve shown great strength. But there’s something that can make you even stronger.
The Jewish leaders who built lasting impact all shared one trait: a deep, conscious connection to their core purpose.
Your core purpose is the blend of your experiences, values, and beliefs — the “why” behind your role.
Anchored there, you’re unstoppable. Challenges can’t pierce the armor of your mission.
And donors feel it too. When they encounter that clarity, they lean in with trust and respect.
So the real question is: how does this actually play out? And even more importantly, how can you deepen your own connection to your core purpose?
Here’s the exciting part: it’s not abstract. You can strengthen it step by step — by focusing on three simple, powerful components:
Your Story. Your Vision. Your Plan.
1. Your Story — the “why” behind your work
Why this role? What drew you into Jewish leadership? Which moments set your path?
- Watched a sibling struggle in yeshivah — and vowed to build one where every boy thrives.
- Saw your parents give everything to a kollel — and felt driven to continue their path.
- Experienced your life transformed by a college kiruv program — and were inspired to start one too.
When you carry your story, you speak with steadier conviction. It’s stronger “glue” than a job title when someone asks, “So what do you do?”
It also makes you real. Donors feel that lived conviction — and trust grows.
To clarify your story, ask yourself:
- What personal experiences or people pulled me into this work?
- Why does this matter to me right now?
- And why is that important? (Ask “why” again until you hit the root.
Your Vision — the future you’re building toward
What will “done right” look and feel like in a few years?
- A yeshivah where every talmid is seen and thriving.
- A kiruv network welcoming hundreds each month.
- A kollel that strengthens families and spreads Torah.
Keep your vision front and center. Clarity gives chizuk. The clearer the target, the steadier your stride when challenges show up.
The future may be foggy. Your vision cannot.
Donors are prioritizing: Who deserves my next gift? A clear, compelling vision puts your mosad on their shortlist with confidence.
To clarify your vision, ask yourself:
- If failure were impossible and money not an issue, what bold outcome would I commit to?
- What does it look like in concrete terms (people, programs, spaces, numbers)? Set a 10-minute timer and write without stopping.
- What milestones in the next 12–24 months would prove I’m on track?
3. Your Plan — the map that makes vision real
Your plan is what turns vision into action and outcomes.
- If fully funded, here’s what I’d achieve.
- The exact dollar amount needed.
- The next six-month steps.
A plan keeps you focused. It shows the next steps when challenges threaten to knock you off course. It also makes you credible. Donors see not just passion, but execution.
And here’s the key: thorough doesn’t mean long. The best plans fit on a single page, covering the near future — six months is often enough. What matters is clarity.
When you’re clear on your Story, anchored in your Vision, and guided by your Plan, you step into leadership with unstoppable clarity and strength. That’s the energy that inspires people — and donors — to follow.
There you have it — your SVP formula (Story, Vision, Plan) for stronger, clearer leadership. Which part will you focus on first?
K’siva v’chasima tova,
Avraham
Copyright © 2025 Avraham Lewis & Co.