Jewish Ideas Fellowship

students reading together

Question, grow, lead, and connect.

Join emerging Jewish leaders from across the country to build a foundation in Jewish thought, literature, and culture, while sharpening your leadership skills.

Jewish Ideas Masthead

As a Jewish Ideas Fellow, you will:

  • Learn fundamentals of Jewish text, history, and philosophy from scholars and thought leaders
  • Co-create a community that prioritizes learning and growth
  • Experiment with skills and new ideas in your local community or organization, with support from peers and mentors

Jewish Ideas Fellows will have access to:

  • Deep Jewish learning with world-class faculty
  • Coaching and mentoring from skilled innovators and community builders
  • A supportive cohort of peers from around the country

Apply here or nominate a potential fellow here

Application Deadline Extension to September 15th, 2023. We will notify applicants of their application status by October 2nd. For any questions, email Rabbi Rachel Gross-Prinz.

FAQs:


This fellowship is for early career Jewish leaders who want to dive into Jewish learning, add to their leadership skill set and test new ideas in their communities. Applicants are open to early career individuals with up to 5 years of professional or volunteer experience in the Jewish community.

Ideal participants are in an informal or formal leadership role or are seeking to grow and serve their local community more deeply.

Yes, you need to be connected to a Jewish community or organization either as staff or a volunteer (on a board, working group or other leadership role). Please inform a contact in your community or organization that you are applying and note their information on your application.

 

HUC is committed to building a learning community that represents the diversity of the Jewish Community. Jews-by-choice, Sephardi Jews, Mizrahi Jews, Jews of Color, people of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, LGBT2QIA+ people, and people who come from poor or working class backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We are here to talk if you have questions about how you will feel supported in this space. Please reach out to Rabbi Rachel Gross-Prinz to schedule a time to chat. On your application form you can also indicate what you will need to help feel successful and supported in the fellowship.

The Jewish Ideas Fellowship has a two-part application process. Each applicant needs 1) a nomination form completed by a mentor, staff person, community partner, or supervisor, and 2) an application. The deadline for both forms is September 1, 2023.

Application form: Complete the application form here. Each applicant who applies will ask a mentor, community partner or leader to complete a nomination form on their behalf.

Nomination form: Staff, leaders, and mentors can nominate someone to apply for the fellowship using this nomination form. Once a nomination form is received we will review it, and if eligible, invite the nominee to apply. An applicant can also send the nomination form to a mentor, community partner, or leader to complete on their behalf when they are applying.

Note: The nomination form is confidential and the contents will not be shared beyond the application review committee.

Once the nomination form and application form are received, materials will be reviewed and applicants will be notified if they’ve been accepted.

This fellowship requires 6-8 hours per month from October-May. This includes:

  • An orientation session and final Siyyum (closing)
  • Bi-weekly or monthly Beit Midrash (literally meaning “house of seeking or study”): Live Zoom learning sessions October – April with the entire cohort. There will be occasional short readings prior to sessions.
  • Chevruta (“paired study”): monthly small group or partner discussions for deeper Jewish learning and leadership skill development.
  • DIY Learning: occasional reading or reflection exercises for Beit Midrash and Chevruta gatherings.
  • Personal Coaching and Small Group Mentoring: Through beginning of the year goal-setting exercises with the Jewish Ideas Fellowship Director and small group mentoring, fellows will practice giving and receiving feedback, experimenting with new ideas and integrating leadership skills into their communal work
  • Creating Jewish Life: Fellows will integrate their Jewish learning, their personal goals for leadership growth, and their vision for the Jewish future into an independent project. Projects will be implemented in Spring 2024.

All group sessions will happen on zoom. If it is geographically possible, small group and chevruta sessions may happen in-person!

Fellows will acquire Jewish wisdom for life’s biggest questions and enhance their Jewish learning skills.

Fellows will develop their sense of purpose as a leader and clarify their vision for the Jewish future.

Fellows will build a network of peers and mentors from across the country, as they develop an authentic sense of their own unique connection to Jewish life, community, and culture.

Stipend: Fellows who complete the fellowship will receive a stipend for further Jewish learning and leadership development.