Z3 Leadership Lab 2026

The Z3 Leadership Lab equips JCC professionals with the skills, knowledge and collaborative network to bring a modern Zionist lens into their organizations’ work. Participants deepen their understanding of Jewish Peoplehood, develop Z3-inspired programs, identify local challenges and build a regional community of practice.

To date, we have trained more than 350 professionals from 54 JCCs and 69 additional organizations across the Jewish world. As a JCC-based initiative, we take particular pride in strengthening JCC life while also helping shape the broader Jewish communal field. Our goal is not only to support individual institutions, but to help JCCs become the public squares of their Jewish communities.

To attend the conference and Lab, JCCs must send at least one professional per track across the following tracks:

1. CEO / CPO / COO / Senior Program Director

2. Camp Director

3. Early Childhood Director

4. Board Chair or Board Member

JCCs may send a delegation of up to 10 people across these tracks. JCCs are encouraged to send multiple delegation members per track.

The Lab will include general sessions for all professionals, followed by track-specific Lab sessions. Cohorts will be built both by track and by community.

JCCs and other communities that are unable to participate in all tracks will also have the option to send multiple professionals to the same track.

Participants must commit to attending the following:

• June 3, at 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT Optional info session (virtual)

• October 21 at 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT: Kickoff session (virtual) 

• November 1-3, 2026: Z3 Conference and Leadership Lab (Palo Alto, CA)

• December 2, 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT: Reflection session (virtual)

• Spring 2027: Optional Z3 Network events (virtual)

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Z3 Project is able to offer different funding structures depending on the track:

1. Execs Lab (CEOs, CPOs, COOs etc.)  - $500 per participant*.

2. Board Lab - $500 per participant*.

3. ECE Directors - Fully funded for all ECE participants. 

4. Camps Directors - $500 per participant*. 

*JCCs are asked to contribute the first $500 per participant toward the cost of the program. Z3 will cover all additional travel, room, and board expenses. Please save your travel receipts for reimbursement.

1. Two virtual sessions, one before and one after the Lab

2. Attendance at the renowned Z3 Conference

3. Participation in a professional development seminar designed with leading speakers, clear objectives and an evaluation process refined year over year

4. Access to the Z3 alumni network upon completion of the Lab

5. Exposure to the Z3 lens on Jewish Peoplehood, Zionism and Israel

6. The opportunity to return home with multiple levels of leadership from your JCC engaged in a shared model, making organizational buy-in and implementation easier

• Flights: Participants are responsible for booking their own flights. Please arrive no later than Sunday, November 1, at 7:00 AM PT, and depart no earlier than Tuesday, November 3, at 4:00 PM PT. If you arrive on Saturday, October 31, that hotel night will also be covered. If Shabbat travel is a concern, please contact us directly.

• Accommodations: The Z3 team will arrange hotel accommodations at Dinah’s Garden Hotel in Palo Alto once travel plans are confirmed.

• Meals: Kosher meals will be provided throughout the conference and seminar. Please let us know in advance about any dietary restrictions.

• Transportation: Transportation will be provided between the hotel and program locations. Uber and Lyft rides to and from the airport are eligible for reimbursement.