Early Career Educators Program

In this section:

About the Program

From youth groups to schools and from synagogues to college campuses, a thriving Jewish educational ecosystem needs new talent to fill important roles and infuse the field with ideas and energy. The Early Career Educators Program aims to give talented Jewish educators the boost they need to better serve their learners and to extend their influence in the field. We define “Jewish educator” broadly, welcoming all those whose work supports individuals connecting to Jewish life and learning, including youth and engagement professionals, supplementary and day school teachers, and more. It is an 18-month cohort-based fellowship offering fellows the opportunity to grow as educational thinkers, educational practitioners, Jewish learners and human beings

Program Curriculum

Educational Theory and Practice

Fellows grapple with big ideas about teaching, learning and Jewish education as they develop and apply conceptual tools that empower them to become more effective educators.

Personal and Professional Growth

Fellows develop personal and professional capacities that empower them to work, teach and lead more effectively.

Jewish Learning

Fellows grow in their knowledge of Jewish history, texts, traditions and Hebrew, establishing a firmer foundation for a wide range of educational endeavors.

Seminar Dates

Seminar 1: Boston – February 15-22, 2026
(includes a Shabbat experience with the cohort)

Seminar 2: Boston – June 21-25, 2026

Seminar 3: Israel – January 5-12, 2027
(excluding travel days to and from)

Seminar 4: Boston – June 20-24, 2027

The Cohort

This is a cohort-based experience, and developing professional connections with the other talented early-career educators in the program is an essential part of the fellowship. The program deliberately brings together fellows from a wide range of educational settings, Jewish backgrounds and perspectives. We believe that educators from different settings and Jewish communities have much to learn from one another and that the robust exchange of ideas can spark innovation and clarify educational purposes. Fellows will share ideas, aspirations and professional challenges with one another throughout the fellowship experience, thus developing a network of trusted educators they can turn to for years to come.

Fellows

The program is designed for Jewish educators who are enthusiastic about their work and eager to grow. Fellows will have worked as Jewish educators as their primary professional role for at least one year as of September 1, 2025, and no more than six years as of the same date.

We hold a broad understanding of the educator role that includes and extends beyond classroom teaching. Roles that might be a good fit for this program include (but are not limited to):

Synagogue Youth Director, Family Educator or Assistant School Director
Teacher at Jewish Afterschool Program
Day School Jewish Life Coordinator
JCC educator
Day School Jewish Studies Teacher
Youth Group Regional Director
Educators for national organizations focused on young adult engagement
Hillel Engagement Associate
Jewish educators who work in the areas of the environment/wilderness, social justice, arts and culture, etc.
Educators at Jewish camps (We recognize that the dates for the first cohort likely will not work for camp educators. For future cohorts we will try to offer different dates more friendly to camp educators)