The Solomon Leadership Program, a non-profit organization dedicated to guiding the moral compass of tomorrow’s leaders, held its first annual gala last month at Tarpon Island in Palm Beach, Florida.
The program is changing the face of leadership by training teen leaders in morals and ethics. The Solomon Leadership Program is unique in its structure and mission, filling a vacuum in leadership training with a program based on Torah values.
“This program is life-changing for the mentors, students, and parents,” says Rabbi Shuey Biston of Chabad of Parkland, Florida, currently running his third year of Solomon. “The Mayor of Parkland and two commissioners attended our graduation because they recognize the value of the program.”
“The program is so professional and runs very smoothly, which the students and community really appreciate,” commented Rabbi Moshe Krasnianski, Director of Montreal’s Chabad of the Town (TMR) and graduating his second class of Solomon teens after Pesach.
The by-invitation-only gala was attended by 150 supporters, Program mentors, and teens and celebrated Solomon’s rapid growth and new Board of Directors. Attendees were able to tour the Tarpon Island home, the most exclusive property on the market in Palm Beach, and learn more about the Solomon Program.
The Solomon Leadership Program was founded in 2016. Rabbi Moshe Scheiner of the Palm Beach Synagogue and Mr. Larry Sosnow created Solomon’s mission to impart ethical leadership skills to teens who show leadership potential. Teens also earn three college credits from the Program. The program also partners the teens with local community leaders, who mentor the teens throughout the sessions. Chabad house directors have lauded this opportunity for their lay-leaders, citing the opportunity for them to be recognized for their character and accomplishments and give back to the community in a new way.
The program features a guest speaker at each session. Some past guest speakers have included Mrs. Jacqueline Goldman, holocaust survivor and philanthropist, Bernie Marcus, founder of Home Depot, and Paul Leone, CEO of The Breakers Palm Beach.
Solomon has grown quickly in just a few short years. Since 2019 it has multiplied from one chapter into twelve, and plans to open twelve more chapters for the 2023-24 school year. Some current Chapters are at The Shul of Bal Harbour, Chabad of Parkland, Chabad of the Town (Montreal), Beit David Highland Lakes Shul, Chabad of the Shore (NJ), and Downtown Jewish Center Chabad (FL).
This spring, Solomon will graduate its 485th student, a tremendous accomplishment. 141 teens have participated this year, as well as 50 community mentors.
Applications are currently open for new chapters and will close on April 17th, just after Pesach.
To find out more, visit www.solomonprogram.org
