ABOUT US

Who We Are

For 50 years, our work has been guided by Jewish wisdom and grounded in meaningful relationships.

What is Clal?

Clal – The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership is the premier pluralistic Jewish think tank and leadership training institute. We harness the power of Jewish wisdom to strengthen leaders and communities across North America. Through customized consulting, immersive training, and pioneering thought leadership, we help leaders and their institutions navigate complexity, expand their vision, and adapt with courage and creativity.

The name Clal is drawn from the Hebrew word meaning “all together” or “inclusive.” It’s the kind of inclusivity that deepens human connectivity and nurtures community, be it the classical use of Clal Yisrael—the idea of the Jewish people as one interconnected whole, or the notion of the larger human community that flows from the creation story in Genesis—of shared human origins and ongoing human dignity that is shared by all. The name reflects our first core value of Championing Pluralism, and our belief that every voice, tradition, and denomination has a place at the table. It is also an acronym for our name, The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership.

For over 50 years, Clal has been known for its people-first approach, deep commitment to pluralism, and ability to translate timeless tradition into meaningful tools for today’s challenges. As idea scouts, we develop and incubate forward-thinking frameworks that shape the future of Jewish life and the larger cultures in which we live—equipping leaders not just to respond to the moment, but to imagine what comes next.

What Do We Do?

As the premier pluralistic Jewish think tank and leadership training institute, we scout, incubate, and apply the next big animating ideas to thoughtfully shape the future. We nourish leaders’ transformation and equip them to embrace emerging possibilities and meet today’s challenges with courage and creativity.

Through signature leadership fellowships, tailored consulting, workshops, conferences, and thought leadership—and guided by an ethos that transcends any single program—we mobilize classical Jewish wisdom to meet the needs of today and imagine what comes next.

What Do We Envision?

At Clal, we believe Jewish wisdom is a wellspring of inspiration that can enable leaders to address today’s most urgent questions and shape more pluralistic and thriving communities. By expanding both their vision and capability, we empower individuals and organizations to meet challenges with courage. We help them blossom into the impactful leaders they feel called to be, living more purposeful, ethical, and insightful lives.

What Do We Value?

Championing
Pluralism

Pluralism means seeing difference not as an obstacle but as a path toward a more profound truth. We help leaders embrace diverse perspectives, fostering the connections and mutual respect that build a more just, less polarized world.

Privileging People
Over Ideology

Placing the dignity of an individual over any given ideology brings more love, compassion, and empathy into the world. Doing what is right is more important than being right.

Embracing
Possibility

Curiosity and optimism help us envision possibilities and take action to make them real. We embrace what could be rather than settling for the status quo. Whether in times of prosperity or uncertainty, we see every moment as a chance to evolve into something greater.

Deepening and Broadening
Jewish Wisdom

When people are personally moved and genuinely inspired, learning leads to growth. Sources of learning are all around us, whether in Jewish wisdom literature, the latest sociological studies, or the lived experience of others. We view learning as a reciprocal partnership—we’re just as committed to sharing our knowledge as we are to learning from others, honoring their wisdom and expertise.

Nurturing
Leadership

We need renewed leadership for a changing world. We take a holistic approach, nourishing both skills and spirit to help people grow into their own leadership potential—no matter what their communal role. Built on mutual trust, our learning relationships help leaders stretch their thinking, challenge their own assumptions, and strengthen their capacity to take action—because true leadership begins with the ability to see possibility before it emerges.

Contributing to the Public Good

Jewish wisdom should serve the public good by addressing unmet needs and sparking positive change. As a resource for all humanity, it can guide us toward a more thoughtful, inclusive, and caring world. We believe Jewish wisdom is meant to be shared widely, not limited to any one domain or community. For us, “public good” means both personal and communal well-being.
Explore Our Ideas

Our Mark and
Its Meaning

As the premiere pluralistic Jewish think tank and leadership training center, Clal has always believed that Jewish wisdom can contribute to the public good. Our logo was inspired directly by our vision: that Jewish wisdom is a wellspring of inspiration. Like a wellspring, the mark evokes something that flows outward, nourishes, has depth, transforms, and keeps moving. Multiple colors flow through the spiral, each ripple distinct yet inseparable from the whole. These ripples are a visual expression of Clal’s commitment to pluralism, to the many voices and traditions, Jewish and beyond, that together make Jewish wisdom so vital and alive. 

The mark also carries a sense of time. The handcrafted quality, reminiscent of woodblock printing, grounds the logo in something ancient and intentional, while the composition and color keep it unmistakably contemporary. It is, like Clal itself, rooted in history and oriented toward what’s next.