FAQs
WHAT WILL BE THE FORMAT OF THE 2026 SPRING SEMESTER?
The undergraduate fellowship will meet in America for the 2026 spring semester. Our plans include running three US-based, weekend-long conferences and a ten-day trip to Israel.
Fellows will stay at their home universities and take classes for credit on campus as they would during a regular semester. We will meet together in person three times throughout the semester for a weekend-long conference. The conferences will tentatively take place on the following dates (please note that these dates are subject to change):
- Thursday, January 8 - Monday, January 12
- Thursday, February 19 - Sunday, February 22
- Thursday, April 16 - Sunday, April 19
The tentative dates for the Israel trip are Wednesday, May 20 - Wednesday, May 27 (dates are subject to change).
We will cover your travel expenses as well as your room and board for the weekend conferences and the trip.
In between the conferences, fellows will participate in distance learning (up to 2 hours per week) as well as a full-day of Zoom learning on Sunday, March 15th.
Fellows will also run an Israel education program on their campuses during the spring semester as part of the fellowship.
Participation in full in all conferences and in the distance learning is required for all fellows.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THE NACHSHON PROJECT UNDERGRADUATE FELLOWSHIP?
The Nachshon Project is seeking ambitious and accomplished college students who have already proven themselves as leaders through their work on their college campuses and/or at Jewish summer camp and demonstrate a potential to accept the mantle of leadership in the challenging yet opportunity-filled world that is Jewish communal life.
Applicants should ideally have completed their sophomore year of college and must have a GPA over 3.0.
HOW DO I APPLY TO THE UNDERGRADUATE FELLOWSHIP?
The application for The Nachshon Project is open through October 15th. Relevant candidates are invited to participate in virtual interviews with the program directors. (Candidates applying for the 2026 spring semester do not need to apply to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem as the program will be taking place in the US).
WHAT ARE THE DATES OF THE PROGRAM?
Application deadline: October 15th
Acceptance notifications: November 15th
US-based conferences tentatively scheduled for:
- January 8-12
- February 19-22
- April 16-19
Israel trip: Tentatively May 20-27
Distance learning: 1-2 hours per week throughout the spring semester
WILL THE PROGRAM CONSIDER MY RELIGIOUS AND PERSONAL NEEDS?
Yes. At each conference, The Nachshon Project provides a Shabbat/Kosher environment while not obligating fellows to participate in services. Fellows who choose to attend services will be given time to do so and can choose from Reform, Conservative or Orthodox options which will be available near our hotels.
IS ATTENDING JEWISH SUMMER CAMP A REQUIREMENT OF THE PROGRAM?
No. Candidates do not have to have attended Jewish summer camp in order to apply, and fellows are not required to go to camp the summer following the semester.
However, fellows are encouraged to work at Jewish summer camp after the semester and to contribute to the camp’s Israel education efforts. Those who work at camp for the full summer, and run a Camp Project, receive a $1,500 stipend from The Nachshon Project on top of their camp salaries.
CAN I TAKE TIME OFF BETWEEN GRADUATING COLLEGE AND BEGINNING GRADUATE SCHOOL?
Upon college graduation, fellows may take up to two years to develop their professional and/or academic skills through internships and Jewish learning programs, before applying for the Graduate Fellowship.
WHAT IS THE GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP?
Fellows who continue on to graduate degrees in Jewish education or the rabbinate (Semikha) are eligible to apply for The Nachshon Project Graduate Fellowship. Graduate Fellows are granted funding for the duration of their studies, pursuant to program requirements. The Graduate Fellowship provides fellows with tools, skills, and networking opportunities to help them succeed in their future careers as Jewish professionals.
