Lainer-Masa Fellowship™ for Jewish Education

Established in 1992, the Lainer-Masa Fellowship™ for Jewish Education (formerly the Lainer Interns for Jewish Education) has quickly become a model program for recruiting new professionals which includes support and mentorship to prepare them for an exciting career in Jewish education. The response from communal leaders, funders and professionals in the field has been overwhelming.  This year we are excited to announce our new collaboration with Masa Israel Journeys.  Through this collaboration we will expand our reach to more students and improve the excellent learning and services we provide.

What is the Lainer-Masa Fellowship™ for Jewish Education Program?

• A unique and innovative approach to recruit university students for careers in Jewish education by spending two years, one in Israel and the other in North America, actively involved in learning about and working in the field.
• The first organized effort by a broad partnership of institutions, including the Jewish Agency for Israel, Hebrew University, Tel Aviv University, Masa Israel Journeys, and JESNA, to translate the enthusiasm and heightened self-identification of Jewish college students into a lifelong commitment to serving the Jewish people.

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Who are the Lainer-Masa Fellows?

• Students at North American universities who are studying in Israel as part of the Junior Year Abroad experience at Hebrew University or Tel Aviv University.
• Actively involved young adults who are exploring ways to enhance their personal involvement in the Jewish community, both as students and as career possibilities.
• Undergraduates who were actively involved in their high school years in both formal and informal Jewish experiences.

What do the Lainer-Masa Fellows do in Israel?

• Take a specially designed credit course, Issues in American Jewish Education as part of their studies in the university.
• Participate in field trips, shabbatonim and workshops designed to give hands-on exposure to educational issues.
• Meet outstanding North American and Israeli Jewish educational leaders.
• Experience first-hand a program or institution in Israel involved in Jewish education in the Diaspora through a field work internship.

What do the Lainer-Masa Fellows do upon return to North America?

• Take on a mentored Jewish teaching or youth position in their university community during the senior year, arranged by JESNA.
• Attend Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) General Assembly Conference preceeded by a Lainer-Masa Fellowship Shabbaton during the senior year to look at Jewish education, network with Jewish education and communal professionals, and create connections with future colleagues.

What do the Lainer-Masa Fellows do after graduation?

• Pursue graduate degrees in Jewish education and Jewish communal service.
• Accept teaching, youth work and/or administrative positions in day schools, synagogues, central agencies for Jewish education and communal Jewish organizations.
• Study advanced Judaica at institutions in Israel.
• Make Jewish education a part of their life, while pursuing other work or study plans.

What is JESNA and Masa Israel's role in the Lainer-Masa Fellowship™ for Jewish Education?

• Sponsor, recruit and administer all aspects of the program in Israel.
• Assist with placement in a Jewish educational position in the university community during the senior year.
• Arrange for a mentor to assist in developing the Fellows' educational skills.
• Provide guidance and support to the Fellows and Mentors.
• Coordinate all arrangements for the GA and Shabbaton, including travel, faculty and staff supervision.
• Promote graduate education through resources such as JESNA's annual Academic Guide to Programs in Formal and Informal Jewish Education which lists Masters programs in Jewish Education and Jewish Communal Service.
• Assist in career placement through personal contacts and referrals.

Funding for this program is provided by generous grants from the Lainer family, Masa Israel Journeys, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, the Jewish Agency For Israel and other sources. For more information on this program please contact the Project Manager, Dena Stein, at 212-584-7341 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .


Recruitment and Retention Resources