The SLBC International Conference cultivates the next generation of Jewish leaders by equipping them with the practical skills, meaningful relationships, and enduring inspiration they need to strengthen Jewish life in their own communities. SLBC is designed with one primary goal in mind: helping every participant return home with ideas, strategies, resources, and renewed confidence they can immediately put into practice.

Each February over President’s Day weekend, nearly 600 clergy, Jewish educators, religious and day school teachers, family engagement and early childhood specialists, Jewish camping staff, teen and young adult leaders, veteran and emerging songleaders, lay leaders, and Jewish professionals gather in St. Louis for North America’s premier Jewish leadership-training conference. Since its founding in 2010, more than 5,000 Jewish leaders have participated in SLBC, creating a powerful leadership pipeline that continues to strengthen congregations, camps, schools, Hillels, JCCs, nonprofits, and Jewish communities across North America, Europe, Israel, and beyond.

Led by many of the Jewish world’s most respected thought leaders, educators, clergy, and music artists, SLBC offers more than 100 highly interactive workshops, inspiring keynote experiences, soul-stirring communal music, meaningful networking, and transformative all-conference gatherings. Every aspect of the conference is intentionally designed to maximize take-home value, ensuring that participants leave with practical tools, innovative ideas, new relationships, and leadership strategies they can implement immediately to create lasting impact in the communities they serve. While inspirational Jewish music is woven throughout the conference experience, participants do not need to sing or play an instrument—music is simply one of many powerful vehicles for building connection, cultivating community, and inspiring leadership.

Participants experience both the energy of the larger conference and the intimacy of specialized Chavurot (learning communities) and leadership tracks, where they build deeper relationships with peers who share similar passions, professional roles, and leadership journeys. These include the Staenberg Teen Chavurah, Atid Middle & Day School Chavurah, Ramah Chavurah, and dedicated learning tracks for worship leaders, Jewish educators, early childhood educators, and songleaders.

At the heart of SLBC is a deep commitment to ensuring that every participant feels welcomed, valued, and empowered to lead. Through intentional initiatives supporting LGBTQ+ Jews, Jews of Color, Jews with disabilities, Jews by choice, and leaders from every denomination, background, and level of Jewish observance, SLBC reflects the richness, diversity, and complexity of contemporary Jewish life. This unwavering commitment to belonging has become one of SLBC’s defining hallmarks, creating a vibrant community where every voice is celebrated, every leader is supported, and every participant is inspired to help shape the Jewish future.