Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program at Brandeis Transitions to Expanded Online Presence
March 17, 2026
The Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program at Brandeis, known globally for its graduate program that trains the next generation of leaders in Jewish community service, has announced its transition to a low-residency online model, beginning in fall 2027. The move will enable the program to reach increasingly diverse Jewish professionals wherever they reside - including those embedded in Jewish life in small communities across the U.S., and those located in Jewish hubs across the world.
“Most critically, this change expands student access and equity, allowing even more people to embark on professional development through a master’s program that will enable them to develop as Jewish communal leaders, At the same time it will exponentially enable us to expand the reach of Hornstein’s global network”, said Liora Norwich, Hornstein’s director.
Grounded in the same approach of experiential learning, mentoring, community building, pluralism and networking that has defined Hornstein since 1969, the program will move to a new low-residency model that combines an online program of differentiated instruction with asynchronous learning, synchronous virtual gatherings, and in-person opportunities. These in-person components include a one-week intensive on the Brandeis campus and an optional seminar trip to Israel.
With its new structure, the Hornstein program will reflect the complexities of contemporary Jewish life and community through a program that centers students' aspirations, as well as their financial and logistical needs, according to Norwich. Through its expanded online presence, new opportunities are also being developed to engage alumni of the Hornstein program as mentors, guest speakers and other partners.
The new low-residency program is comparable in length to the previous program structure and will take approximately 21 months to complete.
The Hornstein program was founded with a mission to meet Jewish communal needs by equipping students with tailored support and guidance to enable them to become visionary, strategic, and compassionate Jewish career professionals. To date, the program has graduated more than 750 students – professional Jewish leaders who serve Jewish communities across North America, in Israel and throughout the world.
