The Wexner Foundation announced the fellows accepted to its 33rd class of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship/Davidson Scholars Program. This class of the four-year program includes three Hebrew Union College (HUC) first-year rabbinical students, Karen Martin, Evan Traylor, and Chloe Zelkha.
Karen Martin
The fellowship is awarded each year to outstanding individuals who seek to prepare themselves through graduate training for careers in Jewish Education, Jewish Professional Leadership, Jewish Studies, and the Rabbinate/Cantorate. The sixteen fellows in this class have demonstrated a strong personal commitment to the Jewish community, excellence in academic achievement, and the potential to assume significant professional leadership roles in the North American Jewish community.
Karen Martin shared, “I have been aware of the Wexner Fellowship for years and have had the honor and privilege of working with a number of Wexner alumni. It was their influence in my life that drove me to apply. Each one was thoughtful, kind, engaged both in their own Jewish practice and in building Jewish communities around Jewish text and values.
Evan Traylor
Their work has been and continues to be transformative in the communities in which they serve. They have been mentors to me at various points in my professional development and personal growth as a Jewish adult… I am humbled and overjoyed to be given this opportunity along with my brilliant classmates Evan Traylor and Chloe Zelkha.”
Karen believes HUC and Wexner will provide her with a supportive and creative community with whom she can develop and grow ideas. “HUC-JIR will give me to tools and skills to lead a community through a thoughtful and reflective Jewish lens. The Wexner Fellowship will give me the opportunity to grow as a leader with a cohort of others who are dedicated to creating and sustaining communities of meaning.”
Evan Traylor shared, “I’m so grateful and excited to be part of Class 33 of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship!
Chloe Zelkha
I decided to apply for this fellowship because of the opportunity to learn alongside other incredible leaders from a wide variety of backgrounds, and to grow even more as a Jewish leader. I’m excited to be part of this community and know it will enhance my experience HUC-JIR for years to come.”
Chloe Zelkha is also thrilled about this opportunity. “I’m excited to learn and grow in a space that is explicitly pluralistic, and puts me in conversation with Jewish leaders from other walks of life who I might not otherwise get to learn from,” she said. “The fellowship feels like an opportunity to connect deeply with an innovative, diverse, and imaginative cohort of students, all thinking deeply about the future of the Jewish people.”
Click here to learn more about the Wexner Graduate Fellowship/Davidson Scholars Program.