The Penni and Stephen Weinberg Center of Lay Leadership

The Penni and Stephen Weinberg Center for Lay Leadership aims to strengthen the foundation of volunteerism and civic responsibility in Israel's non-profit sector and to improve its organizational culture. The Center focuses on the development of strong lay leadership and effective boards of directors.

To realize its vision, the Center’s primary objective is to establish a network of influential people from the nonprofit, government and business sectors who are dedicated to building a newly conceptualized, thriving culture of lay leadership. It is achieving this goal by pursuing the following three strategies:

1. Culitating Lay Leadership Champions 

2. Rasing Awareness of the Importance of Lay Leadership Develoment in Israel

3. Improving the Quality of Lay Leadership

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The Challenge of Cultural Change

The Penni and Stephen Weinberg Center for Lay Leadership aims to effect a "cultural change" in the deepest sense. Lay Leadership in Israel has operated according to models that were established more than thirty years ago. The Center’s challenge is to create an awareness of the need to revitalize these models, and overcome the reluctance amongst business, government and professional leaders active in Israel's nonprofit world to develop this sector according to the nonprofit environment of the twenty-first century.

About the Founders: Penni and Stephen Weinberg

The vision and support of Penni and Stephen Weinberg is the cornerstone of the new Penni and Stephen Weinberg Center for Lay Leadership in Israel. As members and active leaders within the Cleveland and Palm Beach communities, they are role models and mentors for leaders in Israel's nonprofit sector.

The Center's Chairmen of the Month

By showcasing accomplished lay leaders who embrace the challenge of  lay leadership, the Center is inspiring the next generation of lay leaders – men and women from the business, government and public sectors – to serve at the forefront of Israeli lay leadership.

Professional Team

The Penni and Stephen Weinberg Center for Lay Leadership is headed by an accomplished team of outstanding professionals who bring their diverse experience and knowledge to their work. Dr. Michal Hemmo-Lotem, Michal Lester Levy and Yael Aberman, all seasoned professionals with extensive experience in Israel's nonprofit sector, have come together to create the new generation of lay leaders in Israel.

Partner Organizations

The Penni and Stephen Weinberg Center for Lay Leadership has six strategic partners that are critical to its mission. Together they strengthen the Center's resources and significantly expand its impact on Israel's non-profit sector.