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NextGen Spotlight: A Farewell from Outgoing
Chair Matt Shipon
WHEN THINKING ABOUT the next generation of
Before we launched the society, I had the honor of
Jewish leadership in Greater Philadelphia, Matt Shipon’s
speaking with Michael’s parents, Harriet and Mark Levin, to
name is never too far behind. After completing a successful
discuss why we wanted to name the society after Michael and
third year of a traditional two-year term as NextGen chair,
what it meant to NextGen. One moment in that conversation
Shipon passed the baton to Adam Klazmer, who was
that sticks with me till this day was when Harriet said, “I felt
installed in September.

very honored that Jewish Federation would choose to name
Shipon, a NextGen Leadership Development Program
something after Michael. He wanted to help. He wanted to
(LDP) graduate, is on the Jewish Federation of Greater
make a difference in this world, and with his passing he has.

Philadelphia’s Board of Trustees, Jewish Population Study
If it can help Jews around the world, that’s what you leave; all
Committee, and Planning and Resourcing Commission.

you leave is your name and what it stands for.”
He co-owns Hatched, a boutique real estate development
From my first trip to Israel on Birthright when I visited
company, and is also an active member of the Jewish
Michael’s grave, Michael’s story has continued to inspire
Federation Real Estate Group (JFRE).

me to do what I can to help our Jewish community. I am
In recognition of his unparalleled leadership, Shipon
honored to be a small part of his enduring legacy here in
was recently selected to receive this year’s prestigious Jack
Immediate past NextGen Chair Matt Shipon Philadelphia, and I look forward to seeing the Levin Society
Courtesy of Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia grow in the years to come.

Goldenberg Young Leadership Award.

We spoke with the Immediate past NextGen Chair to
learn more about his journey and some of his proudest moments over these past
What is one of your proudest accomplishments as
three years.

NextGen Chair?
One of my proudest accomplishments was the formation of our At-Large Board
What will you take away from your time as NextGen chair?
which created over 40 new NextGen leadership positions. At my first board
My time as chair of NextGen has truly been the honor of my life, and I was
meeting as chair, I said that I felt our biggest responsibility was to build a
extremely fortunate to work alongside an incredible cohort of like-minded
pipeline of leaders to eventually replace ourselves and ensure the continuity of
young Jewish leaders who are passionate about helping our community thrive.

young Jewish leadership.

The people I have met and the experiences I have had as the representative of
The At-Large Board provides a great opportunity for anyone who is looking
NextGen have helped me grow as a person and as a leader, and I look forward to
to take their involvement to the next level. Our board has always consisted of
continuing to support NextGen however I can.

executive committee members who would each have specific responsibilities
within the board, and today the At-Large Board members join them as ambas-
How did you build the NextGen community during the pandemic?
sadors, leaders and thought partners within the community. At-Large members
From breaking bread on Shabbat to chatting about life and family or sharing a
can go on to be leaders on our executive committee or on other committees
couple of laughs, NextGen events have always brought the cohort together in
throughout Jewish Federation.

meaningful ways that build friendships and strengthen our community.

When the pandemic first began, we all felt scared, isolated and unsure of
What advice would you give a NextGen newbie who aspires to
what each day would bring. Our community came together like never before and
become a leader?
quickly adapted to a virtual world. We hosted Shabbat zoom events, game nights
My best advice for people new to NextGen is to say “yes.” Don’t be afraid to step
and happy hours, and the cohort reached out to check-in on one another to make
outside of your comfort zone. Go to a happy hour even if you might not know
sure they were doing OK. I saw gifts pour into the Jewish Federation’s Emergency
anyone going. Sign up for a committee or volunteer event that you are passionate
Fund to address the immediate needs of our community. There was an immense
about. Join the Leadership Development Program. Travel to Israel with NextGen.

feeling of togetherness, even though we were apart.

The opportunities are endless for those who seek them out.

Despite the struggles and the eventual Zoom fatigue, NextGen members
continued to step up philanthropically to help those in need through their
Why do you give to the Jewish Federation?
annual gifts to the Jewish Community Fund — even in a year with so much
I give because I have seen firsthand how the Jewish Federation makes a difference
economic uncertainty.

in peoples’ lives. I have been to JRA where we boxed meals and delivered them
to those in need. I visited the Mitzvah Food Program and saw how revolutionary
What was one of your most memorable experiences as
their food selection system was. I listened to a speaker from the JDC about how
they help the most vulnerable Jews in the world. I have seen the grants we give to
NextGen Chair?
My most memorable experience as NextGen Chair was working with our
help kids go to summer camps, which was a huge part of my own life.

NextGen leadership to launch the Levin Society. Named in honor of local
hero and fallen lone IDF soldier, Michael Levin (1984-2006), the Levin Society
NextGen is the young professional affinity group of the Jewish Federation
recognizes young leaders (ages 21-45) who are committed to Jewish continuity
of Greater Philadelphia. To learn more about NextGen, email Max Moline at
through an annual gift of $2,500 or more to the Jewish Federation.

mmoline@jewishphilly.org. 16
SEPTEMBER 16, 2021
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