A Message to the Bronfman Community from the Board of Directors | November 4, 2021

Posted on November 4, 2021

A Message to the Bronfman Community from the Board of Directors

November 4, 2021

Dear Bronfmanim,

I am writing to follow-up on the message shared with the community two weeks ago. 

The Bronfman Fellowship has always worked to facilitate open and creative discourse as a way to help people see the world through the broadest possible lens. As part of that work, we are deeply committed to the wellbeing of everyone in our program. As a Jewish, values-driven organization, especially one that works with young people, we are constantly asking ourselves how to best meet the needs of the community we serve. 

Many of you know that a 2017 fellow recently posted an account of her experiences on the Bronfman Fellowship, which was troubling to read. This post contains new concerns that merit careful examination. Because of these new concerns, the Board has retained a third-party, independent counsel with relevant expertise to conduct a thorough, holistic review of the concerns raised in the post. To protect the privacy of those involved, the review will be conducted in a confidential and sensitive manner. As a result, we will be unable to discuss the process as it is carried out.

We will also be conducting a policy and practices review to grow our standards of care. The Board, Executive Director Becky Voorwinde  and senior leadership want to have that discussion in partnership with you, and we encourage you to reach out to the Board or the Fellowship staff.  We are fortunate to have a devoted team of leaders and professionals who are committed to the Fellows and the alumni community.  We are proud of how our programming has empowered our Fellows and alumni to go out and change the world around them. 

Thank you so much for your care and sensitivity. It is reflective of the high regard in which you hold this community and, for that, we are grateful. Our work together has never been more important, and we look forward to continued partnership in the coming weeks and months.

Dana Raucher, President, on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Bronfman Fellowship