Lauren Danneman has big plans for the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) National Young Leadership Cabinet, better known as simply “Cabinet.”
An active leader of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, Danneman was recently named Cabinet Co-Chair, alongside Yudi Gross of South Palm Beach County, for the 2022-2023 term. Danneman is only the third Philadelphian to be recognized with this honor.
“It’s very humbling, and I’m extremely honored to be chosen from my peers in this position,” said Danneman, the Director of Marketing and Philanthropy for The Danneman Firm, LLC, a Delaware based law firm.
Cabinet aims to educate and connect the next generation of global Jewish leaders and philanthropists. Designed for ages 30 to 40, when first starting the program, members participate in a five-year curriculum that builds on a series of Jewish Values: Hineni (Call to Leadership), Achrayut (Responsibility), Kehilah Kedosha (Sacred Community), Klal Yisrael (Jewish Peoplehood) and Hazon (Vision). After completing the program, members use the experience gained to obtain senior-level leadership roles at local and national Jewish organizations.
Due to COVID, members were offered the opportunity to extend their participation. Currently in her fifth year, Danneman accepted this offer to continue Cabinet for two additional years.
Focused and ready, Danneman has many goals she would like to accomplish during her term. One area that she is particularly looking forward to is expanding the Cabinet’s diversity initiative to welcome all backgrounds and denominations.
“We’re open to all Jews and I want to expand our base,” explained Danneman, who lives in the Orthodox community in Bala Cynwyd with her family.
Among her other aspirations, Danneman also hopes to safely resume all in-person domestic and international missions, so that Cabinet members can once again explore Jewish communities in different parts of the world.
This isn’t Danneman’s first leadership role she has held for the program. She’s previously served as Israel & Overseas Co-Chair, Jewish Life Co-Chair, Associate Vice-Chair of Global Education, and First-Year Orientation Chair. In addition to Cabinet, she chaired and led the first JFNA Birthright trip, targeted at young professionals, during the summer of 2019.
Already familiar with the benefits that come along with being a Cabinet member, Danneman looks forward to using them in her new role. Besides the opportunities that present themselves after completing the program, which includes joining a network of over 4,000 alumni, the kinship between fellow participants who share ideas on improving the Jewish community can create long-lasting relationships.
“I know that as a mother of four, Cabinet can be hard to juggle, but there’s a strong support network among parents in Cabinet to make the balancing act of parenthood easier to manage,” she said.
On the local level, Danneman has served in multiple capacities within various departments of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. Currently, Danneman is serving her sixth year on the Committee of Jewish Life and Learning and Women’s Philanthropy Executive Board. In 2019, her fierce commitment to the Jewish community was recognized with the prestigious Young Leadership Award.
Driving her passion locally is her long-held devotion to provide Jewish life for all who seek it. This vision has been amplified by her time serving on the Committee for Jewish Life and Learning.
“The committee has given me the opportunity to see what’s going on in the community – day schools, camps, etc. – as well as individuals with disabilities,” Danneman reflected. “I have two sons with disabilities, and the Jewish Federation has given a lot of support to my children.”
While Danneman’s family has received support from the Jewish Federation, when asked why she makes the organization a philanthropic priority, it ultimately comes down to one thing – being there for her community.
“I give because the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is there for the community – from our youngest children at the JCC to kids who go to camp and day schools, to our seniors and people in need,” she said. “I see the impact of our dollars locally in Philadelphia, in Israel, and around the world.”
Danneman will officially start her term as Cabinet Co-Chair in July of 2022.
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To learn more about the National Young Leadership Cabinet, please click here. You can also contact Max Moline, NextGen Director, at mmoline@jewishphilly.org