Message from Our CEO 

Every day I have the privilege of meeting extraordinary women who are tackling some of the most pressing challenges facing our communities — from advancing gender equity and reproductive rights to combating antisemitism, strengthening democracy, supporting vulnerable populations, and building a more just society.

At Elluminate, our role is to ensure these leaders do not have to do this work alone. Through The Collective, we provide women leaders with the skills, resources, visibility, funding, and peer support needed to strengthen their leadership and expand their impact. This year, we welcomed Cohort 7 and recently selected an exceptional Cohort 8, continuing our investment in visionary Jewish women leaders advancing equity, justice, and social change.

We also launched the Global Jewish Women's Leadership Network, creating new opportunities for collaboration and collective impact among women leaders across sectors, issues, and geographies. 



As we approach the close of our fiscal year, I invite you to invest in this vision. Your support helps leaders thrive, strengthens the organizations they lead, and expands the impact we can achieve together. If you believe in the power of bold leadership to advance equity and justice, I hope you will join us in building what comes next.

Warmly,

Melanie Roth Gorelick

Elluminate CEO

Elluminate Welcomes Ten Visionary Leaders to 
The Collective Cohort Eight

Elluminate has selected ten exceptional Jewish women nonprofit leaders from the United States and Israel to join the eighth cohort of The Collective, the organization’s flagship leadership advancement program. As members of the Collective, they will participate in an 18-month cohort experience that includes regular meetings, both in person and on Zoom, professional development, and a grant for the organization they lead.

The women in Cohort Eight lead organizations addressing a range of critical issues, including gender equity, disability inclusion, reproductive justice, educational opportunity, LGBTQ+ equality, community resilience, and the prevention of violence against women and girls. Through innovative leadership and bold vision, they are expanding opportunity, strengthening communities, and advancing a more just and equitable society.

The cohort participants were selected through a competitive process led by Elluminate’s Visionary Circle and Board of Directors. Selection criteria included demonstrated leadership, commitment to Jewish values, and a track record of advancing social change. Click here to learn more about the leaders in Cohort Eight.

Celebrating a Year of Philanthropic Impact

This past week, members of the Visionary Circle gathered to celebrate a year of thoughtful collaboration, shared learning, and collective decision-making. Over the past seven months, these dedicated philanthropists have reviewed applications, interviewed candidates, and engaged in meaningful discussions about the leaders and organizations working to create a more equitable world. Through this process, Visionary Circle members selected the newest cohort of The Collective, investing in visionary women leaders who are advancing change across the Jewish community and beyond. The reception provided an opportunity to reflect on the impact of this work, celebrate the relationships built along the way, and look ahead to the year to come.

Sign Up to Be an Elluminate Mentor

We are excited to launch a new mentorship initiative within Elluminate and its Global Jewish Women’s Leadership Network, and we invite all interested individuals in our greater community – including you – to consider serving as mentors.


This initiative will connect experienced professionals and leaders with Jewish women nonprofit CEOs who are growing their organizations, deepening their impact, and advancing social change in many sectors.  


If you are interested in exploring this opportunity, we invite you to complete a short form to share more about your background, experience, and areas in which you would like to share your expertise.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please contact Eva Stern, Director of Strategic Initiatives, at eva@elluminatewomen.org.

Elluminate’s webinars highlight visionary Jewish women leaders and their organizations, addressing today’s intractable issues and innovative solutions. Tune in to learn about important, timely issues through a gender lens.

Save the Date for Our Signature Events in 2026-2027

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Mark your calendars now. We look forward to gathering with you.

In a recent eJewishPhilanthropy article, Jaimie Krass (Collective Cohort 8) explores how strong people leadership and intentional organizational investments can help prevent burnout and build healthier, more sustainable workplaces. Read her insights on creating cultures where both staff and organizations can thrive.


Read the EJewishPhilanthropy article here.

This Pride Month, we honor the leaders and organizations working to build a more inclusive, equitable, and just world for LGBTQ+ individuals and communities. At Elluminate, we are proud to have supported visionary leaders whose work has transformed Jewish life, expanded belonging, and advanced equality.

Since the founding of The Collective, we have uplifted numerous women and their organizations dedicated to advancing equity and inclusion within the LGBTQ+ community. This pride month, learn more about the work of Svara, Eshel, and Keshet, organizations led by visionary feminist Jewish leaders.

Olam Focal Point Conference Session on Gender Equality

Elluminate's CEO, Melanie Roth Gorelick, facilitated the Gender Equality session at the Olam Focal Point Conference in New York on June 2. Speakers included Paula Kantor, Gender Equality consultant from Argentina, and Maris Miodosky, Advisor, Statistics, Office of Buena Area City. This interactive conversation explored gender equality, from the intensified challenges women have been facing worldwide to the transformation of social norms and the reshaping of policies that influence equity. Thank you to Dyonna Ginsburg, CEO of OLAM and Collective Cohort 7 member, for creating this inclusive and meaningful space.

Jerusalema Fellows Meet with Elluminate in New York

Melanie Roth Gorelick and Rachel Siegel, Director of Jewish Women’s Leadership Programs, met with the Jersualema Fellows who, during their visit to New York, wanted to learn about women’s leadership in the US, challenges facing women, and how Elluminate teaches moral courage. The program is geared towards creating a diverse pipeline for elected decision makers in Jerusalem and is an accelerator for learning both technical skills and leadership development. 

Elluminate empowers feminist Jewish women leaders and philanthropists to advance equity and social change.

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