By Leya Aronoff, Marketing Manager at J Leaders & J Leaders Academy ‘22-’23 Fellow
Tell us about yourself.
Hi, I’m Megan. I was part of the 2024 JMentors cohort and later joined the J Leaders Academy ’24-’25. I’m originally from Los Angeles and now live in San Francisco, where I work in enterprise sales at a late-stage tech startup. I’m also a member of the J Leaders Alumni Board, helping strengthen the mentee community.
What inspired you to apply to J Leaders?
After October 7th, I felt deeply isolated as the only Jewish person at my company. I didn’t feel supported or seen, and it left a huge gap in my life. I was new to the Bay Area and started looking outside of work for some kind of Jewish community. My grandma told me to check Facebook for Jewish happy hours, and that’s how I stumbled into a community that told me about J Mentors. I applied on a whim, and I’m so glad I did. It was exactly what I needed.
With so many options, why did you choose J Leaders?
Honestly, I didn’t explore a lot of other options. JMentors was the first and only program I looked into after that happy hour. It just felt natural. The timing was right, and I really appreciated the combination of career support and Jewish connection.
What was the most impactful part of your J Leaders experience?
Without a doubt, my mentorship relationship. My mentor was incredibly empathetic and offered clear, actionable advice that helped me navigate a very toxic work situation. He helped me understand what’s “normal” in the workplace and what I don’t have to tolerate, even this early in my career. He also gave me the confidence to switch jobs and take a chance on a new opportunity I probably wouldn’t have considered without his support.
How has the program influenced your professional and Jewish life?
Professionally, the program changed my life. I made a career move I was hesitant about at first. Now, I love my job with a great company and a strong Jewish community at work. I don’t think I would have made that leap without JMentors and the honest conversations I had with my mentor.
Before joining J Leaders, I barely knew other Jewish young adults in the SF Bay Area and didn’t feel connected to Jewish life. I even used to think of myself as a “bad Jew” because I didn’t fit a certain mold. But through the Academy and JMentors, I both found a vibrant, supportive community and redefined what being Jewish means to me. I’ve learned that Jewish identity is about how you choose to engage and show up, however that looks for you.
What’s an unexpected benefit or achievement from your J Leaders experience?
Beyond JMentors, I never expected to join the Academy, let alone the Alumni Board. I originally thought the mentorship program would be a one-time thing to help my career. But over time, I found myself more and more invested. Now I’m helping build community among mentees and shaping the future of JMentors, which feels incredibly meaningful. It’s also helped me develop a community-building skillset I didn’t even know I had.
What advice would you give to Jewish young adults considering J Leaders?
If you’re considering J Leaders, my advice is to jump in and try it. I didn’t expect to get deeply involved at first, but the experience was so impactful that I now want to stay connected and keep investing in it. The program is flexible, so you can participate in a way that fits your schedule and meets you where you are. Start with a ‘why not?’ mindset and see where it takes you. The impact could be far greater than you think!