DFI Experiences and Testimonials
 
“I feel better prepared to manage my staff in an effective, emplowering, Jewish way. This workshop was a crucial step in my career."  
Jakir Manela, STAR Series Participant
“I enjoyed spending time with peers and having a forum to collaborate with each other on common issues that arise in my work life.”
Mayer Solomon, STAR Series Participant
 
"This workshop series provided me with the tools to work with peers more efficiently.”  

Allyson Fisher, STAR Series Participant
"DFI is an invaluable resource for professionals and lay leaders in the Baltimore Jewish Community.  I frequently attend seminars and recommend seminars and programs to the lay leaders of The Shoshana S. Cardin School.  The professionals in many of our divisions have also attended seminars or programs.  DFI is always willing to provide details regarding seminar topic, presenters and who in our school would benefit the most from attending.  I look forward to continued professional development through The Darrell D. Friedman Institute for Professional Development at the Weinberg Center."
--Barbie Prince, Head of School
 Shoshana S. Cardin Jewish  Community High School
"I loved improving my skills in the public speaking workshop. With the mixed group of volunteers and professionals, we learned from each other and with each other, as well as from the outstanding teacher."
--Ellen Lightman, President of ACHARAI
 
"The Fundraising  session on 'Telling Your Story' sponsored by DFI was a "quick and dirty" approach. What it gave me was the tools to develop the skills to incorporate key words into the discussion that can be applied to discussing support for our community. Ms Ringel has a gift of teaching with a human flair. The group that attended exchanged wonderful personal perspectivies to the "art" of articulating and the "art" of the ask. How easy it becomes when one is impassioned for the cause and equipped with the language."  
--Suzanne Levin-Lapides, Lay Leader
 
 
 
"The 'Gift of Asking' was an apt title for Rae Ringel's fundraising workshop. The "Gift" is not only the financial commitment made by the donor, but the asking has its own rewards for the donor and for the one who asks. Although I know I must prepare in advance and gather as much information as possible about the donor's interests and life circumstances and be well-versed in the case for giving, it is clear that through my active listening with the donor and the exchange of mutual passion for the welfare of our people through the work of The Associated, I am also strengthening a bond between the individual and the Jewish community."
--Linda Speert, Director Endowment, THE ASSOCIATED: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore 
 
 
"The GA provided a great opportunity to network and the opportunity to bring best practices back to our community. For me, attending the GA really confirmed the notion that Baltimore is such a unique community."
 -- Mary Drey, Young Professional's Award Recipient
 
 "Hearing and sharing ideas with lay leaders and staff members from other Jewish communities across the country re-energized my work as a professional."
 
-- Michelle Ostroff, Friedman Fellowship Award Recipient 
 


 
Mission and Vision

Mission
DFI’s mission is to provide training and leadership development opportunities to the full spectrum of current and potential Jewish communal professionals and lay leaders serving the Jewish community in Baltimore and the surrounding areas. DFI enables all individuals who strive to grow and be successful in a wide range of disciplines and settings in the community to expand their leadership skills and Judaic competencies.
 
Vision
The vision of DFI is to be a preeminent professional development and leadership training institute for professionals and volunteers in order to enhance the quality of the delivery of services they provide to the Baltimore Jewish community, and other national and international Jewish communities.
 
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The Darrell D. Friedman Institute for Professional Development at the Weinberg Center
1515 Reisterstown Road - Baltimore, MD 21208    Phone: (410) 843-7560   Fax: (410) 843-7482  Email: thedfi@thedfi.org
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