FAQs
WHAT WILL BE THE FORMAT OF THE 2025 SPRING SEMESTER?
Most American universities will not allow study abroad in Israel due to the ongoing war. Therefore, the undergraduate fellowship will meet in America for the 2025 spring semester. Our plans include running four 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 and locations are subject to change):
- Thursday, January 2 - Sunday, January 5, in Florida
- Thursday, January 30 - Monday, February 3, in Boston
- Thursday, March 27 - Sunday, March 30, in NYC
The tentative dates for the Israel trip are Wednesday, May 21 - Thursday, May 29.
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 2nd.
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, in the Israel trip, 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 3.0 GPA or higher to be considered.
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 2025 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:
- Thursday afternoon, January 2 - Sunday, January 5, in NYC
- Friday morning, January 31 - Monday, February 3, in Boston
- Thursday evening, February 27 - Sunday, March 3, location TBD
- Thursday evening, March 27 - Sunday, March 30, location TBD
Israel trip: Tentatively Wednesday, May 21 - Thursday, May 29
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 in Israel.
However, fellows are encouraged to work at Jewish summer camp after their semester in Israel 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 graduation, fellows may take up to three 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 that prepare them for professional careers in the Jewish community are eligible to apply for The Nachshon Project Graduate Fellowship. Graduate Fellows are granted significant 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.
