By Leya Aronoff, Marketing Manager at J Leaders & J Leaders Academy ‘22-’23 Fellow
Tell us about yourself.
I’m Tom Sciara, a financial planner based in Irvine and an alum of the 2022-2023 J Leaders Academy cohort. I live in a Moishe House and actively serve on three Jewish nonprofit boards.
What inspired you to apply to J Leaders?
I was looking for ways to grow as a young Jewish professional and as a leader. J Leaders seemed like the perfect opportunity to develop my skills while staying connected to my Jewish identity.
With so many options, why did you choose J Leaders?
I knew I wanted a program that was both leadership-focused and deeply rooted in the Jewish community. Plus, I love networking with other Jews, and J Leaders provided the perfect space to do that.
What was the most impactful part of your J Leaders experience?
Our cohort was encouraged to take meaningful action and step up as leaders, and that’s exactly what we did. Two other cohort members and I created our own Startup Pitch Night combining our backgrounds: two of us in startups and my expertise in financial planning for startups. We secured a partnership with Microsoft Reactor, which provided a free event space. Also, we promoted the event through Facebook, Meetup, and Eventbrite.
The response was incredible with 200 RSVPs and nearly 150 attendees! The event led to real networking, meaningful connections, and even facilitated deals. The fact that we built something impactful, purely as volunteers, showed me just how valuable this Academy is.
How has the program influenced your professional and Jewish life?
J Leaders transformed both. Professionally, it shifted my focus. I now specialize in working with Jewish individuals, realizing how important it is to support my own community. Personally, I deepened my Jewish involvement by moving into a Moishe House and joining three Jewish nonprofit boards. This experience reinforced my belief that we need to support each other professionally, socially, and as a community.
What’s an unexpected benefit or achievement from your J Leaders experience?
I made 30 new friends — people who inspire me, challenge me, and continue to be a part of my journey.
What advice would you give to Jewish young adults considering J Leaders?
If you want an interactive program where you’ll make real friends, grow professionally, develop personally, and be part of a community that truly wants to learn, J Leaders is for you.