Mahloket Matters Fellowship

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We live in a moment of unprecedented breakdown in civil discourse. Yet, our Jewish tradition upholds the principle that constructive disagreement for the sake of heaven (Mahloket L’Shem Shamayim), is not only imperative but the holy work needed to repair what can feel like irreconcilable differences that permeate within our Jewish communities. Guided by the belief that Jewish texts and their diverse interpretations can empower us to engage more constructively in disagreements today, Pardes North America (PNA) is launching it’s second year of the Mahloket Matters Fellowship. 

Over the course of 8 sessions, fellows will meet to study Jewish texts and social psychology, distinguish between different types of disagreements and explore why good people may have diametrically opposing views on moral issues. In addition to taking a deep dive into specific contemporary topics, fellows will become adept at considering an issue from multiple perspectives and fostering a culture of constructive disagreement.

The fellowship will consist of two essential components:

  1. Group Study & Individual Mentorship – Fellows will learn Pardes’s renowned Mahloket Matters curriculum and be given individual mentorship by PNA. Each fellow will receive a generous stipend of  $500 for their time and participation in these sessions.
  2. Communal Action – As part of their participation in the fellowship, fellows will be asked to transpose the inspiration and learning into a community engagement initiative (in a way that balances local creativity and a handful of globally established metrics) for their communities back home. Each fellow will receive a $500 community engagement fund to support the development of their own communal MM study groups and/or community engagement initiatives inspired by MM learning. For more information, please click here for the requirements.

By participating in the MM Fellowship, fellows will: 

  • Receive both professional mentorship and financial support
  • Immerse in highly relevant Pardes Torah they can then use to serve their own Jewish communities back home
  • Become a critical voice in a movement to help foster respectful dialogue across NA
  • Join a strong network of colleagues 

Designed for up and coming Rabbis and Jewish Educators who are either currently in rabbinical/graduate school or in their first 4 years of working in the Jewish world.

Calendar

Tuesdays at 9-10:30am PST / 12-1:30pm EST

  • Session 1 – January 25
  • Session 2 – February 1 
  • Session 3 –  February 8
  • Session 4 – February 15
  • Session 5 – February 22
  • Session 6 – March 1 
  • Session 7 – March 8 
  • Session 8 – March 15 

Post curriculum sessions:

  • Post sessions – One on one check ins.
  • Post-Program Debrief

Designed as a special PNA opportunity for Pardes Alumni who live in North America. This cohort will be an intergenerational cohort of fellows from various years at Pardes.

Calendar

Wednesdays at 9-10:30am PST / 12-1:30pm EST

  • Session 1 – January 26 
  • Session 2 – February 2
  • Session 3 –  February 9
  • Session 4 – February 16 
  • Session 5 – February 23 
  • Session 6 – March 2 
  • Session 7 – March 9 
  • Session 8 – March 16 

Post curriculum sessions:

  • Post sessions – One on one check ins 
  • Post-Program Debrief
  • Future Changemakers Cohort: Applicants must either be currently enrolled in rabbinical school/graduate school in the field of Jewish education and organizational work or currently working as a Jewish educator or rabbi in a Jewish community (defined as a Jewish organization, synagogue or other Jewish institution).
  • Alumni Leadership Cohort: Applicants must be appointed as/hold a volunteer leadership position in a Jewish community (defined as a Jewish organization, synagogue, federation or other Jewish institution).

Application & Deadline

Click here to apply to the Mahloket Matters Fellowship. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The final deadline to submit your application is Monday, January 10. 

For any questions please contact Darielle Shandler, Pardes North America Programs Associate, at darielle@pardes.org.

Fellowship Faculty

Rabbi Mike Uram

Rabba Shani Gross

Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield

Sefi Kraut