Maimonides
The goal of the Maimonides Leaders Fellowship is to empower 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, 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!
Frequently Asked Questions
- 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 does the stipend work?
- How can I be accepted to this great program?
- Why do you do this program?
Judaism is an all encompassing world view. In this program we concentrate less on the technical how-to 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.
How are the lessons structured?
The student is obligated to participate in two and a half hour weekly learning sessions, and two trips per semester. The learning session is divided into three parts:
Lecture
This hour long lecture encourages students to think critically about the topic and ask questions during the lecture. Each week a different topic in Jewish philosophy is presented. Click here for a list of topics.
Discussion Group
Every week the group is divided into small groups, each with its own community member who facilities the discussion group. The purpose of this part of the evening is three-fold:
During the first hour some students do not feel comfortable asking questions, this allows you to share your thoughts and questions with a small group of your peers and a community member.
Also students have the opportunity to share thoughts with their peers that may not have been covered in the lecture. You can also explore the text in a deep sense in a small group setting.
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 community member in an open and non-confrontational way.
Guest Speaker/Leadership workshop
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.
Leaderships workshops will be done by some of guest speaker and staff. This will give you an opportunity to reflect on some of the topics we have covered in the classes and think about how to apply these concepts into the community.
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. The program requires both a time commitment and a commitment to being intellectually present at all our sessions.
What is the goal of the trips?
Our trips are designed to give participants a window into Jewish life. Each community we visit you will experience Shabbat in its complete essence. We will also visit various institutions and understand the importance they hold in Judaism and will try to capture some of its depth and meaning to Jewish life.
The stipend program was specifically designed to allow students to dedicate two and one half weekly hours and two weekend trips to studying Judaism. The stipend is five hundred dollars for the semester. Based on mutual respect and trust, we expect each student to completely fulfill his commitment to the program. There will be a penalty for non-participation in any class or trip, we may allow a make-up for certain situations.
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.
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.
