Morning Program

Registration, Breakfast & Networking

Welcome: A Wake-Up Call

Melanie Roth Gorelick, CEO, Elluminate
Linda Yarden, President, Elluminate Board of Directors

Keynote: The Wake-Up Call – The New Misogyny and the Rise of Extremism

What is driving the rise of misogyny and extremism, and why should we all be paying attention? Drawing on her groundbreaking research, Dr. Cynthia Miller-Idriss reveals how hatred of women is being weaponized to recruit followers, fuel radicalization, and build extremist movements—and what these growing forces mean for women, Jewish communities, and our society.

Speaker: Dr. Cynthia Miller-Idriss, Professor, American University; Founding Director, Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL); Author, Man Up: The New Misogyny and the Rise of Violent Extremism

The Manosphere, Misogyny & the Business of Hate

What happens when hate becomes profitable?

How are misogyny and antisemitism being used to build influence, attract followers, and generate profit? This panel explores the growing ecosystem of influencers, social media platforms, and online networks that amplify hate, who benefits from its spread, and what Jewish communal leaders, advocates, and philanthropists can do to challenge its influence.

Panelists:

• Moderator: Meredith Jacobs, CEO, Jewish Women International (JWI)
• Dr. Miriam Eve Mora, Managing Director, Raoul Wallenberg Institute, University of Michigan
• Kristina Wilfore, Director of Global Innovation & Special Projects, Reset Tech; Founder, ShePersisted

The panel will be followed by Q & A and table top conversations.

Networking Lunch

Afternoon Program

Meet The Collective: The Women Leading What’s Next

Meet the extraordinary women of Cohort 8 of The Collective, Elluminate’s leadership advancement program for Jewish women nonprofit CEOs.

Women on the Front Lines: Confronting Hate, Exclusion & Injustice

Across the United States and Israel, women leaders are on the front lines confronting threats to fundamental rights, challenging discrimination, and advancing social change. Hear directly from members of Elluminate’s Collective about the challenges they face, the innovative solutions they are advancing, and how leadership and collective action can create meaningful change.

Panelists:

• Moderator: Ruth Messinger, Dean & Educator, The Collective, Elluminate
• Andrea Friedman, Executive Director, Vision First
• Jaimie Krass, President & CEO, Keshet
• Rabbi Margie Klein Ronkin, Executive Director, Essex County Community Organization
• Tal Hochman, Israel Women’s Network
• Shelly Blatt Zak, The Rackman Center, Israel

Interactive Workshops Featuring Women Leaders

Building on the conversations with women leaders from The Collective, these interactive workshops offer an opportunity to explore the issues more deeply, exchange ideas, and consider strategies for advancing social change. Through small-group discussions with women working on the front lines and experts, participants will examine challenges, share approaches, and identify opportunities for collaboration and collective action. What can we accomplish together that we cannot accomplish individually?

Workshops run concurrently; please choose one.

As the manosphere spreads misogyny and targets young men with messages of resentment, dominance, and hostility toward women, what happens when these attitudes move beyond the screen? How are these narratives fueling harassment, coercion, exploitation, and violence against women and girls? How are women leaders confronting these threats, supporting survivors, and working to prevent violence and abuse?

Speakers:

• Shana Aronson, Magen for Jewish Communities
• Meredith Jacobs, CEO, Jewish Women International (JWI)
• Ronie Nof Malc, Women and Their Bodies
• Rena Paul, Esq., The Paul Firm
• Facilitator, Nancy Kaufman, Senior Advisor, Elluminate

Across issues ranging from reproductive rights and disability inclusion to gender equity, Jewish identity, and community belonging, women leaders are developing innovative strategies for social change. What approaches are proving effective, what can advocates learn from one another, and where can collaboration amplify impact? Join leaders from The Collective to explore how we can strengthen advocacy and advance change together.

Speakers:

• Naomi Ackerman, Advot
• Meredith Polsky, Matan
• Judith Rosenbaum, Jewish Women’s Archive
• Lani Santo, Footsteps
• Leah Kabran Eden, Equity Advocates
• Facilitator, Ruth Messinger, The Collective Dean and Educator, Elluminate

In a post-election Israel, what are the most pressing challenges facing women and the pursuit of a more just and equitable society? How are women leaders responding, shaping solutions, and advancing change? Join Israeli members of The Collective for an interactive discussion exploring Israel’s future through a gender lens, the power of women’s leadership, and opportunities for collective action.

Speakers:

• Yael Boim-Fein, The Institute for Gender Equity in Education
• Tali Ehrenthal, ASSAF – Aid Organization for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Israel
• Dyonna Ginsburg, OLAM
• Yael Hasson, Executive Director, Adva Center
• Daniella Seltzer, JLM Food Rescuers
• Moria Rodal Silfen, CEO, ATZUM – Task Force on Human Trafficking and Prostitution
• Facilitator, Avra Gordis, Elluminate Board Member

Plenary Session: From Wake-Up Call to Collective Action

Forget the Manosphere – The Meno-Sphere Is the Voting Bloc with Real Power

Mid-life women represent a significant and often underestimated force in civic life. Drawing on her work on menopause, women’s leadership, and political participation, Jennifer Weiss-Wolf will explore how women can leverage their voices, votes, and collective influence to challenge misogyny and help shape the future.

Speaker: Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, Executive Director, NYU Birnbaum Women’s Leadership Center; Author, When in Menopause: A User’s Manual and Citizen’s Guide

Meeting the Moment: Rethinking How We Fund Social Change

What will it take to build the powerful, resilient organizations and movements needed to confront today’s challenges? Are we investing in ways that make lasting change possible? Join Andrea Levere for a thought-provoking conversation that challenges conventional approaches to philanthropy and offers a new perspective on what it takes to turn bold leadership into lasting impact.

Speaker: Andrea Levere, CEO, Capitalize Good

Closing

Elluminate Post-Convening Happy Hour