About

The Solomon Leadership Program selects a diverse body of teenagers who volunteer in their local community, school, church or synagogue, or otherwise demonstrate their future leadership potential.

Through Solomon’s multi-dimensional program, students, known as Fellows within the program, grow to understand their personal value and potential as leaders. Our curated curriculum, successful mentor role-models, and inspiring renowned guest speakers give participants a broad perspective on leadership and success. This enables Fellows to envision themselves as future leaders, giving them the motivation to pursue their goals on their leadership journey.

Our three-prong approach centers around the Eight Pillars of Leadership, the eight skills and values that are essential to being an effective, moral, and just leader. Each session focuses in depth on a single Pillar, giving Fellows a comprehensive understanding of both its essence and its application in real life.

Our Story

In 2015, Mr. Larry Sosnow,  a successful businessman and philanthropist, moved to Palm Beach from his home in New York. Seeking to be involved in the community, as he had been in New York, he joined the Palm Beach Synagogue shortly thereafter.

Mr. Sosnow had been a social activist for many years in New York and in 2016, looked for ways to become active in Palm Beach. Rabbi Moshe Scheiner suggested becoming active with youth and teens, realizing that only by influencing the children of today can change be affected.

Further looking to address the problems seen in all areas of leadership today, together Mr. Sosnow and Rabbi Scheiner created the idea of a program geared towards tomorrow’s leaders- the teens who already exhibit leadership potential and are active in their communities.

Drawing on his college years, when a mentor took the young Larry under his wing and ultimately guided him on his career path to success, Mr. Sosnow sought to combine the concepts of ethical leadership and mentor guidance, specifically geared towards teens. By joining forces with Rabbi Scheiner and the Palm Beach Synagogue, the Peres Leadership Program, now known as the Solomon Leadership Program, was born.

Now in its fourth year, the Solomon Leadership Program is growing at a faster rate than ever before. In addition to our Pilot Chapter in Palm Beach, Florida we are excited to welcome three new chapters for the Fall 2019-2020 season, Bal Harbour, Ft. Lauderdale, and Parkland, Florida. As we look towards the future, we anticipate opening chapters across the country in the next few years.

The Solomon Leadership Program is a partnership of The Sosnow Foundation and Palm Beach Synagogue. Students, known as Fellows within the program, join at no cost. This allows teens from all demographics the opportunity to apply and participate without financial stress.

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Our Team

co-chairman
Rabbi Moshe Scheiner
The founding Rabbi of Palm Beach Synagogue and the Maimonides Leadership Institute, Rabbi Scheiner holds a Masters degree of Talmudic studies and Jewish philosophy from the Rabbinical College of America. He received his rabbinic ordination at the United Lubavitcher Yeshiva.
rabbi@palmbeachsynagogue.com
Co-Chairman
Lawrence Sosnow
A successful entrepreneur, he led and developed ventures in health care and tech from start-up to either IPO or sale. Involved in community work, he is a trustee of the Norton Art Museum, overseeing the construction of its new Norman Foster-designed building.
lsosnow@me.com
EDUCATIONAL DIRECTOR
Miriam Taylor
Originally from New York Mrs. Taylor has worked as a counselor, leader and teacher to middle and high school age students for almost 15 years. She has written numerous programming and academic curricula that are nationally recognized. She is a Therapy Coordinator for the largest Jewish Day School in the southeast and Educational Director for Solomon Leadership Program. She lives in Plantation, Florida with her husband and five children.
miriam@solomonprogram.org
Executive Director
Sarah Dworcan
Born and raised in South Africa, Ms. Dworcan has been involved in education and leadership training for close to a decade. While pursuing her medical career, she co-founded Jnetic, an organization focused on education and awareness of genetic diseases. She is the Director of Palm Beach Synagogue and Solomon Leadership Program.
sarah@solomonprogram.org
Dr. Art Johnson
Professor of Leadership & Organizational Development, The Catherine T. MacArthur School of Leadership, Palm Beach Atlantic University
Dr. Johnson has worked in many higher education settings in his career, holding various positions of responsibility. He has taught for eight universities and is the owner of a successful consulting business. His firm has provided consulting services to the healthcare, manufacturing, insurance, law enforcement, transportation, banking, non-profit and service industries. He is also known to make a great cheesecake.
art_johnson@pba.edu
Student Recruiter
Stephen Lapidus
Mr. Lapidus founded and operated one of the largest manufacturer’s representative sales firms in the United States. He currently owns and operates an e-commerce website, marketing innovative dietary supplements. He is the Solomon Leadership Program Enrollment Director.
enrollment@solomonprogram.org
Administrator
Malka Scheiner
Malka was born and raised in Palm Beach, Florida. After graduating from Rohr Bais Chaya Academy, she spent a year studying at Seminary Chaya Mushka in Tzfat, Israel. In 2018-2019, Malka taught Jewish studies in a Montessori school in Capetown, South Africa. Malka is very excited to return home to join the Palm Beach Synagogue and Solomon teams as Administrator.
admin@solomonprogram.org