Israeli Apprentice Fellowship Grant
Experience Expertise in Your Field of Academic or Professional Interest through Hebrew Language and Culture
The Brandeis University Consortium for the Teaching of Hebrew Language and Culture (CTHLC) in collaboration with the Brandeis Hebrew Program is offering a competitive grant of up to $2,000 that will be awarded to as many as 10 students (fellows) who will shadow a sponsor who is a Hebrew native speaker and whose expertise is related to the student’s academic and professional interest. This experience can take place in the United States, Israel or any other location, including the student’s home country.
The fellows are expected to submit a final project such as a research paper or a creative product (e.g., literary work, short documentary film, etc.) that reflects the fellow’s experience. This fellowship is made possible by a generous gift from the Morningstar Foundation.
This grant offers students the opportunity to engage closely with a Hebrew-speaking expert professional or Sponsor, gain insights into his/her career, and get hands-on experience and a taste of the professional world while at the same time honing their Hebrew language proficiency and expanding their understanding of Israeli culture. The Consortium and the Hebrew Program can assist fellows in matching them to sponsors based on their interest. In the case that a fellow identifies a sponsor on his/her own, he/she will need to get approval from the director of the Hebrew Program.
Eligibility
A Brandeis University undergraduate or graduate student in good academic standing in any Brandeis department. Participation in the fellowship must be completed before graduation.
Requirements for the Grant
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Language proficiency: Student must have completed at least two semesters of Hebrew and demonstrate an intermediate level of proficiency in modern Hebrew in all four language skills (speaking, listening, writing, reading).
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Time commitment: Student must confirm his/her availability to spend at least 40 hours (approximately six to eight hours per week) with the sponsor, and preference will be given to students participating in a program at least six weeks in duration.
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Further development of Hebrew language skills: Must meet approximately five hours with Hebrew language educators during or after the duration of the fellowship to review collected notes, data and to brainstorm ideas for the final project.
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Adherence to the fellowship behavior protocol: This includes all administrative requirements, arriving on time, following the sponsor’s instructions, etc.
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Final project: Final project to be a research paper, video, or other academic work to be submitted/presented in Hebrew to the Hebrew faculty and Hebrew Program students on a date agreed upon by the fellow and the Hebrew Program director.
Application Process
Online application, which will include the following:
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Identify Hebrew-speaking sponsor who is willing to allow you to shadow him/her in a particular professional field of your interest. Note: If you need help finding one, please contact Sara Hascal, the director of the Brandeis Hebrew Program.
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Sponsor must complete, sign and submit the Sponsor Agreement Form (pdf). Upon receipt of this form and completion of the shadowing period, sponsor will be eligible to receive a $1,000 stipend.
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Personal statement: 500-750 word essay explaining your interest in a particular professional field and what you hope to achieve with this fellowship.
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Names of two individuals recommending you for the fellowship (at least one from a Brandeis faculty member) and recommendation letters from each.
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Dates of planned participation in the fellowship.
Application deadline: March 31st
Grant Process
The CTHLC will assign a committee of Hebrew Program faculty members to select the grant recipients and to notify them in writing of their award in April. Recipients must notify CTHLC of their acceptance within 10 days of receiving the award. The CTHLC will conform to accepted Brandeis University practice in issuing the grant funds.
Fellowship Outcomes
Language goals
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Improve Hebrew language proficiency by at least one level in the skills of speaking, writing and reading.
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Learn tools to apply and to continue to develop your Hebrew language skills beyond this project.
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Gain Hebrew vocabulary specific to your area of interest and to apply in your professional field.
Cultural goals
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Increase cultural awareness in relation to Israeli culture and society to promote cultural competency.
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Embrace cultural similarities and differences between Israel and your native/current country.
Professional goals
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Interact with an expert who shares a common professional interest.
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Explore the opportunity to grow into a professional in the area of interest.
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Develop academic curiosity in the area of interest.
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Develop a professional network in the area of interest and potentially open doors for future opportunities in the field.
Example of Student Experiences
- Jewish Education, Summer Camp, Development of Summer Course
- Medicine and Health
- Community Organizing and Development
- Film Making