Elijah Fellowship

This fellowship is for emerging Jewish leaders who want to enrich their spiritual lives, explore the connection between spirituality and leadership, and experiment with Jewish prayer, ritual, and practice.

Applicants must:

• Have between 0-5 years of Jewish leadership experience, either as a professional or volunteer leader
• Currently be in an informal or formal leadership role or seeking to grow and serve their local community more deeply
• Be college graduates
• NOT have a master’s degree (or higher) in Jewish studies specifically. Why not? The fellowship is a better fit for those who haven’t completed an advanced degree in Jewish studies. We are happy to connect and recommend other avenues for further growth and learning! Reach out here.

Yes, you need to be connected to a Jewish community or organization either as a staff person, volunteer, or active member (on a board, working group, or other leadership role). Please inform a contact in your community or organization that you are applying to this fellowship 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. Please reach out to Rabbi Nora Feinstein if you have questions about how you will feel supported in this space. On your application form, you can also indicate in which areas you will need help to feel successful and supported in the fellowship.

In spiritual direction, an individual meets with a trained spiritual director for the sole purpose of becoming more aware of their inner spiritual life. There is no agenda other than to reflect on and be present in one’s connection to the Divine. HUC students and alumni in spiritual direction find this time to be a haven of connection and non-judgment amid their busy lives.

Fellows will each work one-on-one with a trained spiritual director. Additionally, fellows will learn with a wide range of mentors and faculty from across North America and the Jewish ecosystem.

This fellowship requires 6-8 hours per month from September 2025 – May 2026.

This includes:

• An orientation session
• Monthly Zoom learning sessions from September – April with the entire cohort. There will be occasional short readings prior to sessions.
• Monthly spiritual direction (see below)
• DIY learning: occasional reading or reflection exercises
• Three-day Shabbaton (retreat) in person (location TBD) to close the fellowship

All group sessions will happen on Zoom except the final three-day retreat and Shabbaton which will take place in person. If it is geographically possible, spiritual direction may happen in person.

When you nominate an emerging leader for the Elijah Fellowship you are demonstrating that you care about their growth, value their contributions to your organization or community, and want them to continue seeing the Jewish community as a place for them to make an impact.

If you care about the future of Jewish leadership and want to nurture emerging leaders’ spirituality, creativity, commitment, and depth, nominate the talented individuals you know.

Nominate someone to participate

The Elijah Fellowship has two components to the application process. Each applicant should submit a nomination form completed by a mentor, staff person, community partner, or supervisor, as well as an application form. Both the nomination form and application form need to be submitted by August 28, 2025.

Nomination form: Staff, leaders, and mentors can nominate someone to apply for the fellowship using this nomination form. An applicant can also send the nomination form to a supervisor, mentor, or community leader to complete on their behalf when they are applying.

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.

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

Once the nomination and application forms are received, materials will be reviewed, and applicants will be notified if they’ve been accepted by mid-September.

Application decisions are based on eligibility, fit for the experience (we want this to be worth your while!) and cohort size (we are creating a community, so our ability to build relationships is key).

Free. We are pleased to offer this opportunity for no fee to fellows.

The Elijah Fellowship is a project of Hebrew Union College with support from the H&F Baker Foundation.