Letter from the Director
June, 2026
Hello from the Hornstein Program for Jewish Professional Leadership!
If you are new to the program, welcome. We hope you stay awhile and explore our program offerings.
If you are an alumnus, we want to connect with you! Please consider participating in our new mentorship program or perusing our job board.
And if you are a Jewish organization looking to connect with our world-class students or share information about opportunities with those in our expansive network, please email us here.
Established in the late 1960s, Hornstein was the first program in Jewish communal service, and we are proud to have attracted talented and passionate students for more than six decades. Today, we recognize that training future leaders for the complexities of Jewish life and community requires a new paradigm.
That is why, this fall, Hornstein is shifting to a low-residency online master’s degree and master’s certificate model, a change that will enable us to reach an increasingly diverse array of Jewish professionals wherever they reside — including those embedded in Jewish life in small communities across the U.S. and those located in Jewish hubs around the world.
We made this decision with an eye toward centering student access and equity, allowing more people to embark on professional development through a master’s certificate or master’s degree in Jewish professional leadership. By providing generous scholarships and tuition discounts, we aim to support learning in place while preserving the same tested approach to experiential learning, mentoring, community building, pluralism, and networking that has defined Hornstein since its founding.
As you explore the site, I invite you to consider how we can help you elevate your skill set or advance your vision. We look forward to hearing from you, and I wish you all the best on your journey.
Yours,
Liora
Liora Norwich
Leon A. Jick Director, Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program
Brandeis University