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Plotkin recently won a peer recognition award from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation for a program she brought in called the Jewish Learning Collaborative, which paired Jewish professionals with educators for one-on-one learning over Zoom. “We were able to fund it for professionals across the community. We were the first to have done it,” she says. “This is a shared service we should be providing, because in a post Oct. 7 world, we really want to make sure they have what they need.”

2025 was a milestone year for the Jewish learning Collaborative (JLC). We completed our inaugural five-year grant period and exceeded every goal we set with our funding parters when we set out. We began shaping a bold strategic vision to guide our learning, growth, and impact through 2028 and beyond.

Global Jewry, the emerging network of international Jewish organizations, awarded its inaugural prizes for collaboration to Mem Global’s Jewish Learning Collaborative and to a joint initiative by Jewtina y Co. on Wednesday, giving each a $10,000 cash prize for initiatives undertaken in partnership with other Jewish organizations.

We are deeply honored to receive the 2026 Global Jewry Shoshana Shoubin Cardin Prize for Exemplary Collaborations.

Think about the professionals you know who are making an outsized contribution to the Jewish future, whether through remarkable achievements, deep dedication to Jewish values, effective bridge-building across diverse groups, or courage in overcoming challenges. Just as we pass down our traditions, our culture and our values — in our workplaces as well as our homes — let’s also pass down our thanks.

Rabbi Ana Bonnheim is founding executive director of the Jewish Learning Collaborative, which matches leaders in the Jewish community with independent Jewish educators for customized one-on-one Jewish learning. Rabbi Ana built JLC because the leaders of our community are entrusted to build a vibrant Jewish future — and Jewish thought and wisdom should guide their decision-making.