Master of Arts in Jewish Professional Leadership
The MA in Jewish Professional Leadership program is designed for those working in the Jewish community who seek foundational knowledge and skills to become more effective leaders.
Over the course of 12 months of full-time study, students have the opportunity to learn with some of the foremost Jewish studies scholars in the world, participate in study seminars in Israel and New York City and/or Washington, D.C, do fieldwork, learn alongside and build community with the dual-degree cohorts, take part in networking opportunities, and receive career guidance.
Upon graduation, students will be able to articulate a leadership vision within the context of contemporary Jewish issues, Jewish history, culture, and tradition.
Why Brandeis?
Founded in the year of Israel’s independence, Brandeis is a secular, research-intensive university that is built on the foundation of Jewish history and experience and dedicated to Jewish values such as a respect for scholarship, critical thinking and making a positive difference in the world.
We are home to one of the oldest and largest Jewish studies programs outside of the State of Israel as well as many related centers and institutes. Our library houses one of the best collections of Hebraica and Judaica in the nation.
What’s more, our multidisciplinary Near Eastern and Judaic Studies department is one of the largest and most diverse programs of its kind.
Careers and Alumni
Hornstein Program graduates find jobs quickly and are sought after by Jewish organizations. Graduates work at a diversity of workplaces, from federations, foundations, and Hillels, to entrepreneurial start-ups. See a select list of workplaces on our careers webpage.
Curriculum
Over 12 months beginning in the fall semester, you’ll take Hornstein courses totaling 36 credits and will have achieved proficiency in modern Hebrew to a level equivalent to a 20x or higher level Hebrew course at Brandeis.
Read descriptions of each course here>
In addition to taking academic courses, you’ll gain professional experience in the field and travel to Jewish communities around the world.
Financial Aid and Scholarship
We offer generous tuition assistance, with no special financial aid application procedures. We also encourage you to apply for external scholarship programs.
“I did the MA/MA option at the Hornstein Program and graduated in 2016. I am now the Director of Annual Giving at Mayyim Hayyim. I ensure that fundraising stays on track throughout the year so that Mayyim Hayyim can keep its doors open to all Jews and those becoming Jewish and continue to tear down barriers to Jewish life, whether those barriers be physical, invisible, or financial. More specifically, I help create the annual fundraising plan and, in addition to cultivating and soliciting my own portfolio of donors, I provide resources and support to board members, development committee members, and the executive director. I also oversee all communications, whether fundraising-related or otherwise.”
Rachel Eisen, MA/MA’16
Director of Annual Giving, Mayyim Hayyim