Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion

07/10/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/10/2025 13:31

Hebrew Union College Launches Elijah Fellowship to Support the Spiritual Growth of Emerging Jewish Leaders

Hebrew Union College is proud to launch the Elijah Fellowship, a new opportunity 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.

"At its core, the Elijah Fellowship is about supporting leaders not just in what they do, but in who they are," says Rabbi Nora Feinstein '20, Director of the Elijah Fellowship. "The Elijah Fellowship offers young adults an opportunity to develop greater awareness of who they are and want to be as thoughtful, engaged Jews and community members. We're invested in nurturing the curiosity and compassion of Jewish leaders and tending to their minds, hearts, and souls at every step of their journeys."

The program includes monthly Zoom learning sessions, reflective exercises, and a hands-on "prayer lab" that invites participants to engage with Jewish ritual in new and meaningful ways. Each fellow will also work one-on-one with a trained spiritual director who will help guide their personal exploration. The program culminates in a three-day, in-person Shabbaton in Spring 2026, where the cohort will come together for shared reflection and celebration.

By the end of the program, fellows will gain:

  • A more fully developed and personally resonant spiritual life
  • Language and confidence to speak about spiritual experiences with authenticity
  • Familiarity with diverse Jewish spiritual practices, tools, and vocabulary
  • A community of peers committed to exploring Judaism with depth and intention

"In a world where we are more interconnected than ever, rates of loneliness, alienation, and anxiety are skyrocketing," says Feinstein. "We believe that Jewish tradition and Jewish community offer pathways for individuals to (re)connect to the sacred and to a greater sense of purpose, meaning, and belonging."

Open to applicants aged 22-40, the Elijah Fellowship welcomes individuals who have up to five years of Jewish leadership experience and are currently serving or preparing to serve in formal or informal Jewish leadership roles. While this fellowship is not designed for those

with advanced degrees in Jewish studies, it welcomes individuals who are passionate about engaging more deeply with Jewish life, ritual, and connection to the Divine.

The Elijah Fellowship joins Hebrew Union College's growing ecosystem of fellowship programs that support Jewish leadership across life stages and settings. These include:

  • The Ritually Rooted Fellowship, a semester-long experience for college-aged adults (18-25) exploring the relevance of Jewish ritual in modern life (launched in 2024)
  • The Jewish Ideas Fellowship, a nine-month online program for post-college adults focused on Jewish learning (chevruta study), mentorship, and community-building

Together, these fellowships reflect HUC's commitment to cultivating thoughtful, spiritually engaged leaders equipped to meet the needs of today's Jewish communities.

The Elijah Fellowship is made possible with generous support from the H&F Baker Foundation.

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.

Submit your nomination here

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