Hebrew Language & Culture Fellowship
The Hebrew Language & Culture Fellowship is an opportunity for undergraduate students who are proficient in Hebrew to gain professional experience teaching Modern Hebrew at a local Jewish day school. The fellowship grants each Hebrew Fellow a $1,000 stipend (with the option for reimbursement of up to $500 of fellowship travel and teaching materials expenses) for 20 hours of shadowing and teaching experience in Hebrew language classrooms.
A Mentor Educator is assigned to each Hebrew Fellow in the school in which they teach. The Mentor Educator accompanies the Hebrew Fellow and assists them in developing their understanding of the pedagogy of teaching Hebrew. For this, the Mentor Educator, or their school, receives a $600 award.
At the conclusion of the fellowship, the Hebrew Fellows and Mentor Educators submit joint reflection presentations; these reflections are used by The Hebrew Consortium to understand the benefit of this experience. Additionally, the Mentor Educators are requested to submit a paragraph of feedback on the fellowship experience; this feedback is solicited to continually enhance the Hebrew Language and Culture Fellowship.
Eligibility
- Brandeis undergraduates only (seniors are eligible to apply).
- Intermediate-High or higher level of Modern Hebrew proficiency.
- Previous Hebrew Fellows ARE eligible to apply.
- Students may do both the Hebrew Language & Culture Fellowship and the Israeli Apprentice Fellowship.
- Eligibility for participation in the Hebrew Language & Culture Fellowship will include signing of the fellowship Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), completion of the Brandeis Form I-9 process, successful Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check -- if required by the day school, and submission of the Brandeis Photo and Video Release Form along with a photo, if selected for the fellowship.
Requirements and timeline
- September. Completion of the online application form by Tuesday, September 30. The form includes an affirmation of eligibility as stated above, and providing answers to personal statements.
- October. (1) a 30-minute Zoom interview with The Hebrew Consortium's director; (2) Mentor Educator & Potential Fellow Joint Interviews.
- November. The Hebrew Fellows and Mentor Educators will together participate in a pre-fellowship, 90-minute Zoom Workshop in November 2025.
- Spring semester. Availability during the fellowship period, which takes place from December 2025 - May 2026.
- Each Hebrew Fellow and their Mentor Educator will together create a Reflection Presentation about the fellowship experience at the end of the fellowship. The presentations will be used by The Consortium for the Teaching of Hebrew Language and Culture to understand the challenges and advantages of the profession.