Three years into her Jewish educational role in the nation’s capital, Leila Gordon isn’t planning on leaving the Jewish communal world anytime soon.
Gordon is Washington Hebrew Congregation’s assistant director of religious education, where she oversees multiple religious schools across two locations.
The Washington, D.C., resident serves on the board of the D.C. chapter of Jewish Women’s International, following years of involvement with various Jewish organizations, including HIAS Pennsylvania, Cornell Hillel and the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.
Gordon is also a member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington’s NEXUS 2025, a program for rising Jewish leaders.
Tell me about your Jewish upbringing and background.
I have lived in D.C. for three years, but I’m from a suburb of Philadelphia originally. I grew up at a large Reform congregation there … went through their religious school [from] bat mitzvah through confirmation [and] did my supplementary Jewish education there. I went to college at Rutgers University. I initially studied political science and then became interested in the Jewish studies route, ended up double majoring and got involved with Hillel during my undergrad. That was a really important community. [Rutgers] was a huge school, so becoming involved in an organization — Hillel, for me — was a way to make the school seem smaller. I built a great community of Jewish peers there.
After college, I did a one-year fellowship with Repair the World. I lived in West Philadelphia with a cohort of other fellows, where we volunteered in the community. Being involved in Hillel and then doing that fellowship was the point where I decided I wanted to continue serving the Jewish community. Throughout my life, I’ve really enjoyed being part of the community in general, and specifically a Jewish one. I think, today, it’s even more important to have a united Jewish community around you.
Have you always wanted to pursue a career in Jewish education?
Definitely not always. I went to college undecided, not knowing what I was going to do, then started taking Jewish studies classes because they sounded interesting to me. I think doing that along with my involvement with Jewish student leadership put me on the path. I was a Hillel professional for a couple of years and then went to grad school for Jewish nonprofit management, which was a very small, niche program at Brandeis University. Then I moved to [the D.C.] area for my current job, and that has been my path so far.
What are your responsibilities as WHC’s assistant director of religious education?
I serve on the religious school team; there are three of us on this team. We oversee both of our religious schools — Washington Hebrew has two campuses: one in Northwest D.C. and one in Potomac, Maryland. We run two different religious schools out of each building, so we have two preschools [and] two religious schools. Our post b’nai mitzvah programming is part of my role, as well. I also oversee our youth group, which is eighth through 12th graders. I oversee the student leadership board and help them to plan social and Jewish cultural events for their peers throughout the year.
What is your favorite aspect of your work?
I mentioned community a lot already, but I think the focus that Washington Hebrew places on community and making connections is important. We’re a large, historic congregation that’s been around for many years, so it’s awesome to see the generations of families and the children coming through school, and I think helping to foster those connections and build community is so important.
Why is it important to further Jewish education?
I think right now, we are in, unfortunately, a fraught time on the topic of Israel and the war. A lot of people completely shy away from conversations around what’s going on in Israel and in Gaza, and I think whatever your thoughts and opinions are on that topic, [you should] have a strong Jewish identity and not be afraid to show that. We talk about hiding our Jewish jewelry when we’re out in public. I think it’s so important to remain strong and confident in our Judaism, whatever that means for each individual.
What advice would you give fellow young Jewish educators?
I’m thinking about my work with teens, and I just try to be very transparent with them. Maybe that means my thoughts on the conflict in Israel and what’s going on there change day to day, sometimes depending on what I’m hearing and listening to. [I try to be] transparent about the fact that in Judaism, we encourage asking questions and really thoughtfully making decisions and changing our minds, and you don’t have to be staunchly one way or another.
I try to be someone that’s approachable for all of the students that I work with and parents. It’s OK to not always have the answer or be so firm on a topic that’s very complicated.
What are your upcoming goals?
I’ve been here for three years, and I am hoping to stay in the area. I’m trying to get more involved. I think it’s important for me and my work to foster these connections among students and families, but also for myself to continue to build community and create a network for myself here in D.C.
