YESOD PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND

Through this fund Yesod supports Jewish community professionals and educators in Europe to develop their professional skills and Jewish fluency (Jewish knowledge, understanding and how to apply it in your work). We are committed to supporting the creation of vibrant, meaningful, Jewish life through strong communities driven by inspired and engaged individuals.

Funds from $250 – $2,000 (US Dollars) will be awarded on a one-time basis for applications from eligible individuals in the calendar year. The funds must be spent within 8 months of receiving fund confirmation from Yesod. Funds will be paid directly to the organization, trainer or consultant providing the professional development service. Money will not be received directly by the applicant.

Funds will be awarded to Jewish community professionals and educators who:

• Work professionally in Jewish organizations of all types, including (but not limited to) youth organizations, Jewish Community Centers (JCCs), synagogues, welfare and cultural organizations. The work may be part-time, but should be at least 16 hours per week.
• Are based in one of the following European countries: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom.
• Have at least 6 months of experience working professionally in the Jewish community.
• Have not already had a successful application to this fund in the same calendar year.
• Funds will not be granted for training/learning opportunities that have already taken place or for those that are already supported in other ways by the Yesod partner organisations.

Funds can be used for one-to-one learning or group courses, either online or in-person. There are several types of professional development that will be considered within the terms of this fund:

• Jewish Education Training – Learn the skills to be a Jewish educator, including educational philosophy and pedagogy, by studying for a Masters degree in Jewish Education or by taking a Hebrew ulpan class. You can study in your local community, online or in Israel. Examples of programmes of study that Yesod will support include the online MA in Jewish Education from the London School of Jewish Studies, and the blended learning MA in Jewish Education from Hebrew University. If you are interested in finding out more about these, or other opportunities, to study Jewish Education see here  or contact our Professional Development Manager for a consultation.
• Professional skills development – grow your personal toolkit of professional skills that are critical for success. Examples include (but are not limited to) courses for public speaking, experiential education, fundraising and budgeting.
• Peer visits – travel to visit a peer organization in another community and learn from their best practices as well as develop stronger networks for collaboration. Applicants may know where and who to visit at the time of their application, or may request help from Yesod as to where to go. Contact info@yesodeurope.eu to discuss. For example, a JCC Director or Department Director may plan to visit a JCC in another European country of comparable Jewish community size, to learn about their intergenerational programming and outreach. See Peer Visit Guidelines here.
• One-to-One Consultation or Coaching – work one-to-one with a professional consultant or coach in order to improve skills such as strategic planning, communication, supervision and management, or work-life balance. Yesod will offer you an excellent professional consultant or coach (in English or a language of your choice where possible) or find your own, for up to 10 sessions or $2,000 (US Dollars), whichever is the lower cost. References will be required for coaches and consultants if not chosen by Yesod.

Note that we consider consulting and coaching to be two distinct processes: Consulting is working with an expert who can provide expertise and an outside perspective on a particular issue (for example, managing change, building a Board, working with volunteers)  offering advice, sharing his or her knowledge and varied resources. Coaching is working one-on-one with a supportive professional to uncover strengths and weaknesses, and develop new skills and self-awareness. The coach doesn’t offer advice, but may help their client figure out the obstacles in their way and develop ways to overcome them.

Deadlines are as follows. Applicants will be contacted with a decision approximately 4 – 6 weeks after the deadline.

Please note: As part of our decision making process, Yesod’s Professional Development Manager may contact you to talk through your application in more detail and to ask additional questions.

31 March 2020 / 31 May 2020 / 31 July 2020 / 30 September 2020

• Read the guidelines carefully and ensure that you are eligible.
• Apply using the online application form. The application includes a description of what you want to do with the funds, including a budget.
• Within 30 days of completing the professional development opportunity you will be required to submit a short report describing the course of study, key lessons learned, how this has impacted you directly and plans to use your new expertise in your work.
• Payment will be made for an agreed US Dollar amount and paid in local currency via wire transfer, using the exchange rate at the time of payment.
•  For more information please contact us at info@yesodeurope.eu