Frequently Asked Questions:
General Information
What are the classes about?
How are the lessons structured?
Who are the participants in the program?
What is the goal of the trips?
How can I be accepted to this great program?
Why do you do this program?
General Information
A group of Jewish philanthropists is awarding Jewish university students
the opportunity to pursue the wisdom, meaning and beauty of
their rich heritage. The fellowship will also enable each participant
to accelerate his/her career and professional development by facilitating
relationships and mentoring with successful and prominent professionals
in the student’s career of choice. The goal of the fellowship
is to shape capable, confident and knowledgeable Jewish leaders of
the future.
No Jewish educational background is necessary. This fellowship is very competitive. Applying does not guarantee acceptance. The
Maimonides Leadership Fellowship empowers Jewish university students
with the wisdom, knowledge and understanding of their rich heritage,
establishing well educated leaders on campus and in their future communities.
Participants enjoy intriguing discussions led by dynamic local Rabbis,
presentations by knowledgeable communal leaders, opportunities to meet
and build relationships with successful and prominent professionals
who will mentor the student toward future careers, as well as exciting
field trips exploring the highlights of the Jewish community.
Designed to accommodate the busy university schedule, classes are held
one evening a week, the few trips are held on weekends and homework
is minimal. A generous stipend is provided to allow participants to
focus on the thrill of becoming an educated Jewish leader!
There are currently twelve thousand Jewish students around the world
studying in a Mainmonides program. All these programs are built on the
same model. High level Jewish studies are offered to qualified, Jewish
university students while granting them a stipend to allow them to
dedicate a number of hours a semester to these studies.
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What are the classes about?
Judaism is an all encompassing world view. On this program we concentrate less
on the technical how-tos of Judaism and more on the all-encompassing life system
that Judaism builds. The existential questions that have plagued mankind for
eternity, are explored through the Jewish perspective. What is the purpose of
life? Why am I here? What happens after death? Is there such a thing as free
choice? How does one exercise it?
Judaism gives direction in the here and now world also. How can I
build a meaningful life for myself? How can I create a successful
male-female relationship? Medical ethics, business ethics, our relationship
to the animal kingdom…Judaism
is both revolutionary and electrifyingly insightful on these topics.
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How are the lessons structured?
The student is obligated to participate in two and one half hour weekly
learning sessions, and three trips per semester. The learning session
is divided into three parts.
- Lecture
This hour long lecture is given frontally and involves little give
and take. Each week a different topic in Jewish philosophy is presented.
This hour long lecture gives you a chance to meet a topic in Jewish
philosophy without interruptions. Click here for a list of topics.
- Discussion Group
Every week the group is divided into three, each with its own rabbi
as discussion leader. The purpose of this part of the evening is
three-fold:
During the lecture, there is less time to discuss, integrate and
express your own opinions. The discussion group gives you a chance
to air your own opinions, and meet the opinions of others in your
group.
Occasionally the discussion group will revolve around text. This
gives you an opportunity to meet the text inside.
The discussion group gives you a chance to get to know your group
leader which often is a window into a different world. Our impressions
about different societal groups are often based on media stereotypes.
The great divide between different parts of the Jewish community
sometimes does not allow us to meet on a personal level. This part
of the evening gives us a chance to meet and talk on a personal level
with a rabbi or Jewish leader in an open and non-confrontational
way.
- Throughout the program we will have an opportunity to hear from
various communal leaders who are involved in all types of Jewish
communal affairs. Whether through their professions as doctors, lawyers,
business people, politicians or directly working for the community
and Jewish organizations, we will be exposed to the inner workings
of how these people try to make this world a better place. Click
here for a list of topics and speakers.
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Who are the participants in the program?
Acceptance to the program does not require any previous knowledge or
background in Jewish studies. What it does require is a certain mindset.
We are looking for bright, intelligent, open-minded, creative Jewish
students who enjoy meeting new ideas. We are specifically looking for students
who have not had the opportunity to explore Judaism in depth. The program requires
both a time commitment and a commitment to being intellectually present
at all our sessions.
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What is the goal of the trips?
Our trips are designed to give participants a window into Jewish life.
In each place we will learn about the place this institution holds
in Judaism and will try to capture some of its depth and meaning to
Jewish life.
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How can I be accepted to this great program?
Acceptance into the program is open to any intelligent, open-minded
Jewish student who has not had an opportunity to study Judaism in depth.
Acceptance requires a rigorous interview process as well as filling
out an application. The Program Board reserves the right to accept
or reject any student at their discretion.
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Why do you do this program?
The purpose of this program is to strengthen Jewish identity and to
create Jewish lay leaders. It has been our experience that any participant
in the program will enrich and deepen his awareness of Judaism and
will walk out of the program a prouder and more knowledgeable Jew.
In essence, free choice is about education. The more a person knows
about Judaism, the more he is in a position to choose how much of a
place she or he may want to give Judaism in their lives in the future.
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