Shamash Fellowship - Cohort 2

The Shamash Fellowship

Igniting Leadership. Inspiring Change.

An 18-month leadership and visioning fellowship for seasoned Jewish educators.

Overview

The Shamash Fellowship is a transformative professional development experience designed for veteran Jewish educators working in part-time Jewish education settings—congregational schools, JCCs, youth organizations, and independent programs. This fellowship empowers educators to become visionary leaders, equipped to shape the future of Jewish education.

Through immersive learning, leadership certification, and a vibrant network of changemakers, Shamash Fellows will reimagine what Jewish education can be—today and for generations to come.

Why Shamash?

In a time of rapid change and uncertainty, Jewish educators are being called to lead with courage, creativity, and clarity. Yet, many of the leaders in part-time Jewish education—where the majority of public and independent school students receive their Jewish learning—have been historically under-resourced. 

The Shamash Fellowship changes that. It invests in the educators who are shaping the Jewish future, providing them with the tools, mentorship, and community to lead boldly and effectively. In the same way that the Shamash lights the other Chanukah candles: these educators will light the way forward in Jewish education.

What Fellows Gain

• Leadership Certification
  All fellows complete the prestigious Center for Creative Leadership (CCL)* program, gaining world-class training in leadership and change management.

• In-Person Intensives
  Three immersive gatherings offer deep learning, Jewish framing, and cohort bonding which will help strengthen you as a leader in your work. The final intensive features capstone presentations of practical adaptable tools that will help educators across the country envision Jewish education in 2050.  

• Virtual Workshops
  Monthly sessions focus on innovation, AI and emerging technologies, communication, real-world problem-solving and so much more.

• Think-Action Groups
  Small peer cohorts meet monthly to refine ideas, offer support, and co-create solutions.

• Capstone Projects
  Fellows develop visionary projects that reimagine their institutions or the broader Jewish educational ecosystem. These are shared widely to inspire the field.

*Fellows will participate in the CCL leadership program or another comparable immersive leadership program

Who Should Apply

We’re seeking passionate, experienced educators who are ready to lead change.

Ideal candidates will have:

• At least 10 years of experience in Jewish education

• A strong desire and capacity to implement change

• A commitment to collaborative leadership

• 2–4 hours a month to dedicate to the fellowship virtually

• Attendance at all three in person experiences of three to five days

• Excellent communication skills

• A vision that extends beyond their own institution to the broader Jewish educational ecosystem

Impact Beyond the Fellowship

Shamash Fellows will:

• Publish articles, OpEds, and social media content

• Play a role at Jewish Futures conferences

• Be featured on the Jewish Educator Portal and celebrated by The Jewish Education Project 

• Serve as thought leaders and mentors across the field

Application Process

Please prepare responses to the following 3 questions found within the application:

1. Tell us about your current role. What is your title, institution, and primary responsibilities? (100 words maximum)
2. How would you describe yourself as a leader? In what ways do you hope to grow through participation in this fellowship? (200 words maximum)
3. Why do you think Jewish education is so important in today's world? Please give at least one example that describes how Jewish Education has positively impacted your community. (500 words maximum)

If accepted to Cohort 2: 

• You will receive a follow-up invitation to join the fellowship.
• Pay a $500 fellowship fee that covers all programmatic elements, including travel (per our programmatic travel policies)

Applications should be submitted by September 10, 2026. Acceptances will be sent on a rolling basis. 

If you have any further questions, please be in touch with Tova Perlow at tperlow@jewishedproject.org