Volunteerism is one of the most powerful pathways for engagement in Jewish life.
  

Which is why the Jewish Federations of North America are pleased to announce that applications are now open for the fifth cohort of The Catalyst Fellowship.
 

The Catalyst is a fellowship that equips Federation professionals from across North America to design and lead volunteer experiences grounded in Jewish values.

Through expert training, peer learning, coaching, and grant funding, fellows gain deep expertise in Jewish service learning, while their Federations gain the leadership, strategy, and capacity to make service an essential part of their community’s Jewish experience.
 

"The Catalyst gave me the framework and confidence to ground service and community engagement in Jewish values with intention and clarity."

- Nate Weisband, Young Leadership Manager, Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona  

The Catalyst empowers Jewish Federation professionals to harness service as a meaningful pathway for Jewish engagement in their communities.   

Those who participate in The Catalyst will receive:
  

• Cohort-based learning informed by Repair the World’s tested pedagogy;
• Individual coaching and one-on-one Jewish learning to design impactful volunteer initiatives; 
• Exclusive fellowship programming at the 2026 General Assembly, including hands-on service experiences (Travel, lodging, and registration costs covered); 
• Eligibility for up to $7,000 in grant funding to pilot a new local service initiative or grow an existing community program; and
• Membership in an active alumni network of Jewish Federation professionals advancing volunteerism across the system. 

As a result of this Fellowship, local Jewish Federations will gain:
  

• An enhanced engagement strategy to create meaningful entry points into Jewish life;  
• New or expanded volunteer initiatives designed specifically for your community;  
• Deeper staff expertise in Jewish service learning and volunteer engagement;  
• Practical tools to measure participation, evaluate impact, and share compelling community stories;
• Connections to the Jewish Service Movement, and a growing national network of Jewish Federation professionals advancing volunteerism; and
• Increased organizational capacity to embed volunteerism across Federation work.  

It is expected that Fellowship participants will:
 

• Attend bi-monthly 90-minute virtual cohort learning sessions from October 2026 through March 2027; 
• Attend the 2026 General Assembly (all travel, lodging, and registration costs covered);  
• Participate in personalized one-on-one Jewish learning; 
• Design and implement a community-based volunteer initiative to occur in 2027; and 
• Complete reporting requirements associated with grant-funded programming.  

Federations that participate in the Catalyst Fellowship will commit to:  
 

• Support the participating professional(s) in fellowship learning and program activities; 
• Support implementation of local service initiatives developed through the fellowship; 
• Advance volunteerism as a strategic pathway to expanding Jewish engagement in their community; and 
• Pay a $500 participation fee. 

The application deadline for The Catalyst Cohort 5: SEPTEMBER 1st at 11:59 PM ET  

APPLY HERE