Finding Our Why: How Tiny Windows Helped M² Shape a Conference Through Authentic Storytelling
The Challenge
In an increasingly polarized world, and at a time when many organizations struggle to articulate their values, the Jewish community needs a new a path forward: not through debate or persuasion, but through the simple, powerful act of sharing authentic human stories.
In July 2025, M²: The Institute for Experiential Jewish Education faced a critical design challenge for their annual Collaboratory conference. In a post-October 7th world marked by profound division and grief, they needed to create a space where Jewish educators could move beyond loss toward renewed conviction and action. The question wasn't just what to say about Israel and Jewish identity—it was how to help the diverse participants find and articulate their own authentic "why" in complex times.
The Solution: Strategic Storytelling as an Organizational Tool
Tiny Windows partnered with M² to design and facilitate "Finding Our Why: Expanding Perspectives on Conviction & Action"—a carefully orchestrated storytelling experience that would serve as the cornerstone of the second day’s programming at the Collaboratory. The approach went far beyond typical conference presentations, creating a three-part journey from listening to reflection to action.
Phase 1: Curating Diverse Voices
Working with five speakers from vastly different backgrounds—including Rabba Yaffa Epstein, Dr. Buffie Longmire-Avital, Adam Grannick, Aliza Mazor, and Yakir Englander—Tiny Windows developed a unique preparation process:
Individual story development sessions to identify and shape each speaker's core narrative
Professional presentation coaching with actor/coach Simon Feil, a frequent TW creative co-conspirator
Group preparation session to build trust and coherence among speakers
Comprehensive facilitation materials, including emcee scripts, timing guides, and technical requirements
The goal was very explicitly to share a wide range of stories, to provide multiple entry points for conference participants to see a little bit of themselves and empathize with different views.
Phase 2: From Inspiration to Integration
The storytelling session was just the beginning. Tiny Windows developed a sophisticated 90-minute breakout to follow the formal storytelling presentations, creating a framework that helped participants:
Process their emotional and intellectual responses to what they'd heard
Connect others' stories to their own experiences and values
Develop their own "Why Israel" narratives using proven frameworks (Public Narrative and Identity-based storytelling)
Create concrete action plans for sharing these stories in their communities
Phase 3: Scalable Implementation
The program materials—including detailed facilitation guides, participant worksheets, and follow-up resources—were designed to be replicable, allowing M² to adapt the model for future programs and enabling participants to bring similar experiences to their own organizations.
The Impact
The results exceeded expectations on multiple levels:
Immediate Conference Impact
"Each of the speakers offered a unique, powerful, and authentic voice so that individually and as a group they blew people away," reported Clare Goldwater, Chief Strategy Officer at M². "Apart from the fact that I cried several times (!), it was really meaningful and empowering and set the tone for what we were trying to do."
Individual Transformation
Speakers themselves felt supported and moved by the process. Rabba Yaffa Epstein noted: "Miriam's questions and guidance crystallized my ideas and shaped them into something powerful. With Simon's support, I walked onstage and felt confident delivering a story that was deeply personal in a way that allowed me to be authentic, and vulnerable, helping me to connect with my audience."
Key Success Factors
1. Flexibility in Uncertainty: When travel challenges and illness threatened to derail planning, Tiny Windows adapted quickly, working with 7 potential speakers to ensure 5 powerful voices took the stage. As Shlomit Naim Naor, Israel Program Director at M², noted, "I truly appreciate your flexibility, which is remarkable."
2. Multiple Modalities: Recognizing diverse learning styles, the facilitation plan for the reflection portion of the program incorporated spoken narrative, writing, peer dialogue, and somatic awareness—ensuring every participant could engage meaningfully.
3. From Personal to Practical: The program didn't stop at inspiration. By including concrete frameworks and practice time, participants left with actual narratives they could use, not just good intentions.
4. Culturally Grounded Design: The session thoughtfully wove in Jewish wisdom and practices while remaining accessible to participants across the spectrum of observance and ideology.
Why This Worked
What distinguished this engagement wasn't just the quality of the final product but the strategic approach to its creation:
Deep stakeholder engagement to understand not just the event goals but the organizational mission
Evidence-based frameworks (Public Narrative methodology) adapted for specific cultural context
Professional creative partnership, bringing in specialized expertise like Simon Feil for presentation coaching
Comprehensive documentation that transforms a one-time event into lasting organizational capacity
Outcomes-focused design that prioritizes participant transformation over presenter performance
Looking Forward
The "Finding Our Why" program demonstrates how strategic storytelling can address complex organizational challenges—from cultural transformation to stakeholder engagement to leadership development. Tiny Windows is proud to partner with organizations like M² to make these kinds of conversations possible.
Tiny Windows helps Jewish leaders and organizations tell their story from the inside out through strategic planning, program design, and creative communications. We’d love to hear your story.