Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.
Roots & Reach: A Laureate Program in Jewish Wisdom and Leadership
Hosted in Partnership with Common Era
Roots & Reach is an invitation for leaders of all faiths, or none at all, to deepen their spiritual grounding, reflect in a trusted community, and integrate enduring wisdom into how they lead.
About the Program
The Roots & Reach Laureate Program brings together a select mosaic of leaders for two residential seminar experiences across six months. Designed for leaders seeking both reflection and renewal for action, the program creates space to learn from enduring wisdom traditions, deepen leadership practice, and imagine new possibilities for the work and communities they serve.
Across two seminars, Laureates will engage deeply with texts, ideas, and one another, considering what these traditions can teach about leading well in a complex and often divided world. Created with Common Era and designed in partnership with the Witness Institute, the program draws specifically on the scholarship of Elie Wiesel and in Jewish textual and spiritual traditions, while also engaging wisdom from a range of traditions.
Applications are now closed. Thank you to all who put themselves forward.Our team will reach out to candidates regarding next steps.
This AGLN program unfolds across two in-person seminars:
Seminar 1 January 4–7, 2027 Santa Fe, NM
Seminar 2 May 24–27, 2027 Santa Barbara, CA
Eligibility
Applicants must be available to participate in the full seminar experience. To preserve the depth and continuity of the cohort experience, late arrivals and early departures cannot be accommodated.
There is no cost to participate in the program. Laureates are responsible for travel to and from each venue; lodging, meals, and the full seminar experience are covered once participants arrive.
While most Laureates will be Aspen Fellows and/or members of the AGLN, a select number of leaders who are new to the Aspen fellowship ecosystem are encouraged to apply. Upon completion of the program, those who are not already a part of the AGLN will be granted lifelong membership.
No religious affiliation or prior knowledge of Jewish texts or traditions is required. The program seeks to bring together a rich mosaic of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds, creating a community in which participants can learn with and from one another.
Program Curators
Dar Vanderbeck, VP, Aspen Global Leadership Network
Dr. Ariel Burger, Founder and Senior Scholar, The Witness Institute
Application Process
Thank you for your interest. Applications are now closed. All applicants will be notified of their application status in mid-October.
