The Road to Leadership
Growing as a Leader: My NATA Journey
From throwing axes at the Mall of America to shaping the future of Jewish temple administration, my recent journey with NATA (National Association of Temple Administration) has been anything but ordinary. This past year has taken me from San Diego to Minneapolis to Arizona, each trip deepening my understanding of what it means to lead a vibrant Jewish congregation.
About NATA
The National Association for Temple Administration (NATA) serves as the premier professional organization for executives, administrators, and managers within synagogues. Founded in 1941 and affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), NATA boasts almost 500 members who represent synagogues across the United States, Canada, and Australia.
A Year of Leadership Growth
My NATA journey this year has included three significant milestones:
Our annual conference in San Diego, where I connected with Executive Directors from across the country
Being selected as one of just five participants in the prestigious Aspiring Leaders Program in Minneapolis
Co-chairing and conducting a site visit in Arizona for our upcoming 2025 conference
The Aspiring Leaders Experience
In Minneapolis, we dove deep into NATA's future under the guidance of Rabbi Avi Olitszky. But it wasn't all work - our group bonded over go-kart racing and axe throwing at the Mall of America, reminding us that leadership growth happens in unexpected places.
Why This Matters for Temple Sinai
NATA has become more than just a professional organization to me - it's become a second family, right alongside our Temple Sinai community. The skills and insights I'm gaining through NATA directly strengthen our temple's operations and future planning. I'm deeply grateful for Temple Sinai's support in allowing me to take on these leadership roles.
About the Aspiring Leaders Program
For those curious about what this program entails, it's designed to build strong foundations for NATA's future leaders. The program focuses on:
Core Goals
Developing leadership skills for specific roles within NATA
Expanding participants' involvement in the organization
Building a diverse, motivated pipeline of future leaders
Learning Journey
Participants gain comprehensive insights into:
Volunteer engagement opportunities
NATA's mission, vision, and operational structure
Best practices in nonprofit leadership
The path to serving on NATA's Board of Directors
Let’s Connect
I'd love to share more about how these experiences are helping shape Temple Sinai's future. Whether you're curious about temple administration, interested in leadership development, or just want to hear about the axe throwing (I promise there are pictures!), please reach out to me by email or stop by my office.
Stacie Gabert, Executive Director
A member of Temple Sinai since 2009, and with two kids in our Religious School, Stacie knows the community well, shares our mission, and is a knowledgeable welcoming presence in the office. Stacie is a Senior Member of the National Association for Temple Administrators (NATA) and has a Certificate in Jewish Leadership. She lives in Winooski with her two boys.
