Lenny Silberman
Founder of The Lost Tribe

A) What qualities make the nominee deserving of the Z3 Bridge Builder Award?

Lenny is a master connector, a quality that has defined his career and makes him a deserving recipient of the Z3 Bridge Builder Award. With an extraordinary talent for uniting diverse individuals and communities across generations, Lenny has built a legacy of fostering meaningful connections. Known for his extensive network, he engages deeply with everyone he encounters, from Jewish teens to seasoned professionals. His commitment to building relationships, combined with a visionary approach and exceptional team-building skills, allows him to see the bigger picture and work toward long-term goals that benefit the entire Jewish community.

With the founding of Lost Tribe, Lenny has taken his bridge-building efforts to the next level, leveraging modern digital platforms to connect Jewish teens worldwide. By creating safe, inclusive spaces online, he has ensured that young Jews can engage with their heritage, connect with peers, and develop a strong sense of Jewish identity. In addition, Lost Tribe is forging unprecedented connections between diaspora Jews and Israel, fostering relationships with Israelis in ways that have never been done before, including 24/7 ongoing friendships between Israeli and diaspora teens through Lost Tribe’s Discord server. Lenny’s work bridges tradition with modernity, making Judaism relevant, accessible, and deeply connected to Israel for today's youth.

Lenny's journey began with a life-changing trip to Israel in 1976, where he discovered a deep passion for Jewish culture and community. This experience ignited his lifelong commitment to reconnecting Jewish teens with their heritage. Throughout his career, whether through sports/JCC Maccabi programs, summer day or resident camps, or now digital platforms, Lenny has consistently found innovative ways to build bridges and create connections that foster unity and understanding.

In his previous roles, Lenny's initiatives, such as expanding the JCC Maccabi Games, were designed to offer Jewish teens profound experiences that shaped their identities and strengthened their ties to the Jewish community. His leadership has always been about more than just immediate success; it’s about laying the groundwork for a sustainable future.

Lenny's ability to unite people across geographical and generational boundaries, coupled with his dedication to fostering a vibrant, united Jewish future, exemplifies his role as a bridge builder in the Jewish community. His impact is not just in the connections he creates today, but in the lasting legacy he is building for generations to come.

B) In what ways has the nominee demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to their work in bridging divides?

Lenny has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to bridging divides through his relentless pursuit of innovation and inclusivity in Jewish communal work. With over 44 years of experience, Lenny has continuously pushed boundaries, refusing to be deterred by obstacles or rejections. He embodies a leadership philosophy rooted in authenticity, empathy, and collaboration, empowering his team to experiment, take risks, and learn from failures. His ability to listen, adapt, and find creative solutions has allowed him to build and nurture connections across generations, communities, and geographic boundaries.

Lenny’s leadership style is centered on getting to "yes" and fostering an environment where new ideas are encouraged, supported, and celebrated. He ensures that every voice is heard and that his team feels valued and empowered to contribute to their collective mission. His mantra, "dream in color," embodies his approach to leadership, where "no" is never the final answer, but rather an invitation to explore new possibilities. Lenny encourages his team, especially the content creators and young cast, to experiment, make mistakes, learn, and come back with fresh insights. This mindset of pushing past "no" and always asking "why not?" has kept Lost Tribe moving forward, continuously adapting to meet the needs of Jewish teens in a rapidly changing world. By trusting and empowering his team, Lenny has not only bridged divides but also cultivated a culture of growth, resilience, and unity within Lost Tribe and the broader Jewish community.

His deep understanding of Jewish communal needs, coupled with his ability to connect with people across all levels of age and profession, makes him a natural bridge builder. Lenny’s vast network and genuine interest in people's stories enable him to form meaningful relationships that transcend traditional boundaries. His visionary approach to leadership, coupled with his passion for Jewish identity and connection, has allowed him to create lasting, impactful connections that strengthen the fabric of the Jewish community. Lenny’s work is not just about building bridges—it’s about building a future where those bridges connect generations, cultures, and communities in a shared journey of Jewish pride and unity.

C) How has the nominee's work impacted the Jewish community and beyond?

Lenny Silberman is a master bridge builder whose work has profoundly impacted the Jewish community and beyond. Throughout his career, Lenny has consistently connected people, ideas, and generations, fostering unity and empowering young leaders across the globe. His efforts have positively influenced the lives of thousands of Jewish youth, many of whom have gone on to become leaders within the Jewish community and beyond.

Lenny’s career has seen him take on various roles, each offering him a new platform to build bridges and create meaningful connections. From his early days as Director of Sports and Recreation at the Pittsburgh JCC, to leading the Emma Kaufmann Camp, to his pivotal roles as Continental Director of the JCC Maccabi Games, Vice President of Program Services for the JCC Association of North America, and CEO of Henry Kaufmann Camps in New York, Lenny’s mission has always remained the same: “They’re all our kids.” This mantra reflects his deep commitment to nurturing young people and creating environments where they can thrive.
As the Founder and CEO of Lost Tribe, Lenny has continued his bridge-building work in the digital age. Lost Tribe serves as a dynamic platform that connects Jewish teens through social media and online communities, blending the values of friendship with the reach and appeal of modern technology. This initiative has not only engaged a new generation of Jewish youth but has also created a space where Jewish identity can be explored and strengthened in a contemporary context.

Lenny’s belief in the power of sports, camping, and online community experiences to transmit values has defined his career. His prior leadership on the board of the Israel Sports Center for the Disabled in Ramat Gan, where he personally raised funds to build a fitness room, is a testament to his dedication to inclusivity and empowerment. His selection to represent the JCCs of North America on the U.S. Olympic Committee further underscores his influence in the world of youth sports and his commitment to fostering compassion and community service through initiatives like the “Rachmones Rule” and “Days of Caring and Sharing” remembering Munich 11 at the JCC Maccabi Games.

Lenny’s work and passion have not gone unnoticed. He has been inducted into several prestigious halls of fame, including the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in Israel, where on July 4, 2017, he was honored with the Chairman’s Award of Excellence. This award, given to only six other individuals, recognized his “dedicated service to integrating sports, summer camp, and Judaism as part of worldwide efforts on behalf of the youth of today.” Lenny is notably the first JCC professional to receive this honor.
In addition to this, Lenny has also been inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, the Western Pennsylvania Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, the Staten Island Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, and the National Council of Youth Sports. In addition to this, Lenny has also been honored by the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, inducted into the Western Pennsylvania Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, and honored by the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. Lenny was also honored by the National Council of Youth Sports, where he was named the United States Youth Sports Administrator of the Year.
Lenny’s legacy is one of innovation, dedication, and a profound impact on the Jewish community and youth sports worldwide. In addition to the above leadership roles, he has served on the boards of URJ's 6-Points Sports Camp, the American Camping Association and Maccabi USA Sports for Israel and he is currently on the executive board of the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
These recognitions reflect his remarkable ability to leave every organization he encounters stronger than before, whether it’s guiding Pittsburgh JCC basketball teams to the city and state championships, revitalizing the JCC Maccabi Games, expanding participation from 1,500 to 6,000 athletes, strengthening the Henry Kaufmann Camps, or creating Lost Tribe as a powerful engine to build jewish identity and fight antisemitism.
In every role, Lenny has seen the potential in organizations and people, knowing how to connect the dots and make that potential a reality. His legacy as a bridge builder is one of unity, innovation, and inspiration—ensuring that Jewish youth are connected, empowered, and prepared to lead in a rapidly changing world.