OUR STRATEGY FOR
Community Innovation
We advocate for the continuity of the Jewish people not only out of commitment to our own community, but because we believe the Jewish people make a significant contribution to the development of society and the betterment of the world at every level. That’s why we work to ensure its strength and continuity.
Who we are
LAZOS is a global community committed to strengthening Jewish life by building meaningful frameworks of belonging for Spanish and Portuguese-speaking adults ages 25 to 45. We connect members across 25 countries and nearly 100 cities (locally and internationally) through social, spiritual, and professional experiences.
The Challenge
In recent decades, the world has changed dramatically, giving rise to new social, cultural, and commercial models. The world is constantly evolving, transforming the way we work, connect, build identity, make choices, consume… and live.
As a response to these social shifts, new models have emerged across all areas of life: remote work, new family structures, gender identities, Uber, Airbnb, WeWork, and more. As new generations grow up in this fluid world, traditional models of local, rigid, and hierarchical Jewish community life no longer feel relevant for many. Increasingly, young Jews are seeking meaning in spaces beyond institutional walls.
The lack of meaningful, attractive, and diverse options for this population often leaves them out, and disconnection from Jewish life frequently leads to assimilation.
We believe it’s our generation’s responsibility to offer a meaningful response to this turning point, just as we’ve done throughout our people’s history.
How we do it?
There’s no way to be Jewish without community, which is why we focus on creating new frameworks of Jewish belonging for young adults across Ibero-America. We believe that when people participate in diverse, open spaces, they develop a meaningful sense of Jewish belonging that strengthens their identity and fuels personal growth.
We also know that real change begins at the margins, by attracting new voices, challenging structures, and inspiring traditional institutions to take new risks. LAZOS is that catalyst.
We:
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Build frameworks of belonging for Jewish young adults
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Work from the edges of communal life
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Attract de-institutionalized or non-institutional audiences without being tied to traditional organizations
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Bring innovation to local communities by sharing international projects that can be implemented by all
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Create safe spaces that are open and inclusive across religious, political, and gender identities
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Engage people who often don’t feel seen or reflected in mainstream community life, ensuring genuine, high-quality connections
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Focus on the motivations that matter to our audience:
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Professional growth
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Economic development
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Meaningful experiences aligned with their values
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International networking
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Travel and exploration
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Integrate Jewish content with purpose, relevance, and humanistic values
Where We’re Headed
(Our purpose)
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Reduce assimilation
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Strengthen Jewish life in every city
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Ensure every young adult has a meaningful Jewish framework of belonging
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Create new models for Jewish communal life and engagement
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Strengthen Jewish identity among young adults
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Build communities where everyone feels welcome: to participate and to lead
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Where We’re Headed?
(Our purpose)
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Reduce assimilation
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Strengthen Jewish life in every city
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Ensure every young adult has a meaningful Jewish framework of belonging
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Create new models for Jewish communal life and engagement
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Strengthen Jewish identity among young adults
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Build communities where everyone feels welcome: to participate and to lead
How We’ll Know We’re Succeeding?
(Impact mectrics)
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More Jewish young adults actively participating in social initiatives
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More young adults leading their own independent projects
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More young people connecting to Jewish life through LAZOS
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More frameworks of belonging rooted in LAZOS-led initiatives
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More independent Jewish initiatives (social, cultural, environmental, etc.) created by young adults in each community
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More diversity in community composition (especially in smaller communities) around gender, identity, and life goals
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Reduced emigration due to lack of belonging or identification
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Increased integration of immigrants into local Jewish life
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Positive changes in local institutions thanks to LAZOS members in leadership or decision-making roles
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How We'll Get There?
(Initiatives, plans, and action lines)
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Developing local ecosystems and Bonding Community Groups
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Creating new initiatives in each city
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Opening leadership opportunities for independent actions and projects
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Addressing local challenges and gaps
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Building a global professional network
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Expanding professional and business networking
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Empowering leaders of independent social projects
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Creating and supporting Tikkun Olam-driven initiatives
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Connecting personal causes with Jewish values and identity
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Inspiring new generations to grow with these models and take the lead in building meaningful, inclusive communities
What We Believe
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In people, networks, global communities, freedom, and individual journeys
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In community life beyond buildings and labels
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In the Jewish people as one big family
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In every person’s right to live according to their choices, values, and identity
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In empowering individuals to grow personally and professionally, strengthening their Jewish identity in a meaningful way
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In diversity, complementarity, and the importance of every voice and question
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In potential, not prohibitions or divisions
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At LAZOS, we’re guided by people because they are our community, our family. All of them.