A year-long professional development programme designed for talented and creative European Jewish community professionals, who want to make a meaningful difference in their communities and maximise their leadership potential.
Over the course of the year, participants take part in three in-person seminars, including one joint global seminar with fellows from Latin America and the Former Soviet Union. Through these seminars, fellows develop practical skills, strengthen their confidence, deepen their Jewish inspiration, and build a peer network that supports their continued leadership and impact.
The programme focuses on four key areas:
- Leadership
- Management
- Working in a community context
- Working in a Jewish context
Kaplan Fellows @Yesod Europe forms the European cohort of the Kaplan Leadership Initiative, a global leadership development programme.
Applications open for Kaplan Fellows @Yesod Europe Cohort V. See information below.
Kaplan Fellows @Yesod Europe is a year-long professional development fellowship for talented mid-career Jewish community professionals, who want to make a difference in their communities and maximise their potential. It is part of the Kaplan Leadership Initiative, a global leadership development program.
Over the course of the year, participants join two European regional seminars and one held intercontinentally with fellows from Latin America and the Former Soviet Union. The programme includes webinars, a mentoring programme, and optional chavruta learning.
As a Kaplan Fellow you will be able to develop your approach to leadership and management, explore applied Jewish learning and community development, to take your practice to the next level.
Closing date for applications to join Cohort V is Friday 29 May 2026. You can contact us with any questions at info@yesodeurope.eu
The Kaplan Leadership Initiative will cover the costs of the seminar programmes, flights, single room accommodation, and full-board kosher meals during the in-person seminars.
The organisations of successful candidates will be requested to pay a participation fee of €150 (Euros) as an investment in their professionals.
In addition, participants/their organisations will be required to cover their own insurance, visa expenses, and transport to and from airports in their home country and seminar countries.
The Kaplan Fellows @Yesod Europe programme consists of the following components:
- Three in-person seminars over the course of a year (mandatory)
– Seminar 1: Monday 23 – Thursday 26 November 2026 [Regional]
– Seminar 2: Monday 15 – Thursday 18 March 2027 [Regional]
– Seminar 3: Sunday 31 May- Thursday 4 June 2027 [Global]
- 3 webinars on related topics throughout the year (mandatory)
The first regional online meet up is on Wednesday 8 September,
11.00-12.30 CET (10.00-11.30 UK time, 12.00-13.30 Baltics and Bulgaria) - Jewish learning in virtual study pairs “chavruta” (optional)
- One-to-one mentoring (initial 3 sessions mandatory and then an option to continue)
- Other optional online activities as decided with the group
The seminars are intensive and experiential, offering a dynamic blend of theory, values exploration, and practical skills. Grounded in Jewish context to enhance your learning and empower you to take meaningful action within your organisations and communities. The detailed programme will be provided to successful candidates in advance of each seminar.
How will we learn?
Seminars are interactive and participatory, requiring full involvement of all participants, with a wide range of methods and approaches, including, for example:
- Keynote speakers
- Small group discussions
- Exercises for personal and group reflection
- Jewish and other text work
- Case studies and role plays
- Small group project/lab work with presentations to the whole group
- Site visits
- Group building activities
- Skills training and practice
- Some sessions will offer a choice of topic/skills
What will I get out of the programme?
Here are just a few of the things we believe you will take away:
- A stronger commitment to being a Jewish community professional; an understanding of why this work is valuable and how you can contribute.
- Practical skills you can apply in your everyday work and in your future roles.
- An understanding of different approaches to leadership, how you can contribute to your own acts of leadership and what it means to envision and catalyse change in your community.
- A greater understanding of your own strengths, challenges and areas of growth.
- A strong network of peers in varied Jewish communities who provide mutual support to one another, sharing of knowledge and possibilities for future collaboration.
You are eligible to apply for Kaplan Fellows @Yesod Europe Cohort V if you meet the following criteria:
- 25-38 years old (with some flexibility by a few years at the upper end)
- Live and work in Europe (including the Baltics but not other countries from the FSU)
- Currently employed in a professional position within the Jewish community for a minimum of 4 days per week
- Ideally 5 years, and at least 3 years, of proven professional experience in Jewish communal/educational frameworks.
- Work in an organisation with a primary focus on building Jewish community and/or Jewish identity.
- Your current role includes a main responsibility for a specific area or process in the organisation, such as:
Programme coordinator
Project manager
Communications role
HR role
Pastoral worker in a school
Responsible for Jewish education in the organisation
If you are uncertain whether your role fits our criteria, feel free to reach out to us.
- Demonstrate leadership and professional accomplishment, including recommendations from the current place of work.
- Personally driven for professional development in the fields of leadership development, community engagement and Jewish learning.
- Open-minded, self-reflective, excited to engage with new ideas
- Speak and understand English at a high level.
If you meet the eligibility requirements and want to grow your potential through this programme, we’d love you to apply!
Kaplan Fellows @Yesod Europe is a highly competitive programme. You will be interviewed and must submit two professional recommendations, including one from your current manager. Recommendation forms can be found here for you to send to your recommenders.
Applications close on Friday 29 May 2026. Interviews will begin in June 2026, and final decisions are expected by the end of July 2026.
For more information or to have a conversation with us, please contact info@yesodeurope.eu