Ritually Rooted Fellowship to Empower College-aged Jews to Create Modern Ritual
October 30, 2024
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion is announcing Ritually Rooted, a new fellowship enabling college-aged individuals from across North America to explore and create deeply rooted modern Jewish ritual.
“Judaism is an active, vibrant, and adaptive religion, culture and people. Ritually Rooted will offer the opportunity for fellows to explore the origins of various Jewish rituals, survey practices throughout the world, and learn how they can make these traditions increasingly relevant today,” said Erin Fine, Associate Director of Recruitment and Partnership Development, and creator of Ritually Rooted. “For example, we may explore the actions of breaking, tearing, and cutting by looking at the Jewish rituals of kriah – tearing clothing in mourning; yachatz – breaking the matzah; and cutting – or not cutting – hair.”
The Ritually Rooted fellowship will run from January-June of 2025. Fellows will learn with a wide range of mentors and faculty from across North America and the Jewish ecosystem. Group sessions will be conducted primarily on Zoom, though some small group sessions may take place in person. The commitment for the program is 20-30 hours over the course of the spring semester/winter and spring quarters, depending on independent project work time. This includes mentorship and time for fellows to develop, plan and lead a ritual for their communities. Student ritual projects will have grant support from Men of Reform Judaism.
“We are very pleased to announce that there is no cost to participate,” said Fine.
HUC-JIR 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.
To learn more about the program and how to apply or nominate potential applicants, visit the Ritually Rooted fellowship page on the HUC-JIR website. Nominations are due December 1 and applications are due December 13.