Applications are now open for 2026-2027 and due January 11, 2026.

Overview 

In order to further Ma’ayan’s mission of supporting the growth of women’s Torah learning, Ma’ayan has created a fellowship program for an emerging Orthodox female scholar of Jewish texts. The fellowship provides mentorship, supports the development of the fellow’s pedagogy, and offers opportunities to teach. This program, begun in September 2022,  identifies, cultivates, and helps launch the next generation of outstanding Orthodox female adult Jewish educators.

Rationale for the Program

We have witnessed more than a generation of outstanding Orthodox female scholars of Jewish texts, emerging from any number of elite educational institutions designed to support their growth as scholars. To date, however, the Jewish community has not created a structure to support their growth as adult educators. This fellowship program seeks to address that gap. Mentors work with the fellow as she considers central challenges in the teaching of Jewish texts, and as she conceptualizes, designs, and revises a class or a course. They also provide constructive critique as the fellows practice their pedagogy. The experience of this fellowship will provide a pedagogic foundation for a lifetime of contributions to the community.

Who should apply

This fellowship is geared to an Orthodox Jewish woman in North America with a strong background in the study of Jewish texts, who is developing or wishes to develop a practice in teaching text-based adult Jewish education. There is no geographic limitation within North America, but the fellow will be expected to travel to Boston.

Program components

Year 1: The fellow will teach for Ma’ayan in Boston four times over the course of the year, but the format is flexible. It can be four individual classes, or a class divided into four parts. Long distance travel will be taken into account when planning the timing of the classes.

The fellow will meet with a mentor twice before and once after each class session. The first session will be devoted to design of class content, the second to pedagogy, the third to post-class assessment.

Ma’ayan has recruited experienced educators to serve as mentors who will provide progressive guidance over the course of the year. Mentorship may be provided online, although the mentor will attend the classes in person.

Year 2: The fellow will return to teach two classes in Boston the following year.

The fellow will produce a brief report reflecting on her experience, at the conclusion of the first year, and a short additional reflection at the conclusion of her term.

Stipend

The fellow will earn a stipend of $7000, distributed in two parts, once at the beginning of the fellowship, and once at the conclusion of the first year. In Year 2, Ma’ayan will provide our standard teacher honorarium for each class. Ma’ayan will also provide travel and housing throughout the fellowship.