Thirty years ago, one man had a transformative idea.

If the Jewish community needs strong leaders, invest the resources in training volunteers and professionals who could become those leaders. The man was Les Wexner, and the idea became The Wexner Foundation, which over the past 30 years has trained 2,500 people across the Jewish world in a range of dynamic and inspiring Jewish leadership programs.

I know the power of these programs first-hand, having had the honor of participating in 2001-2002.

This week, 1,300 people gathered in Columbus, Ohio — hometown of Les and his wife, Abigail — to celebrate 30 years of the Wexners’ generosity, which is nearing $1 billion in support of Jewish leadership. At the gathering, Rabbi Elka Abrahamson, president of The Wexner Foundation, referenced a blessing that according to the Talmud one recites upon seeing a gathering of 600,000 Jews. Although far fewer were in attendance, Rabbi Abrahamson observed that the bracha was appropriate because Wexner graduates have impacted at least 600,000 Jewish lives, and likely far more.

The program was conceived in the 1980s, after Les had been offered the opportunity to chair a major, national Jewish organization, but felt ill-equipped, citing his limited Jewish literacy. Recognizing that others might share the same hesitation, he decided to create an opportunity for promising Jewish leaders to deepen their understanding of Jewish history, values, and texts. In the ensuing years, the program has expanded, and other organizations, including UJA-Federation, have become collaborators and funders.

Wexner graduates will tell you that this program deeply enriched their lives. I know it did mine. But more than that, this is the story of how 30 years of discipline, patience, and dedication can transform a community. Today, Wexner graduates serve in top leadership positions across our Jewish world — including here at UJA-Federation. And that’s thanks to one man’s idea.

In a week that has been consumed with natural disaster in Nepal and turmoil in Baltimore, we are powerfully reminded how much leadership really does matter.

So, my question as the sun sets on this week: What are the next great ideas, and who will have the generosity and determination to make them happen?

Shabbat shalom