The Sloan Fellowship

Jewish Values. Real Leadership. Lifelong Community.

A free, 8-week fellowship for Jewish graduate students and young professionals to explore leadership, ethics, and purpose—alongside top executives, attorneys, and peers.

Apply in under 3 minutes

Start Your Application

View Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants Must:

--Be between the ages of 22 and 35
--Have at least one Jewish parent (or converted to Judaism)
--Have not previously participated in any advanced Jewish studies program of duration of more than 3 months (including Gap Year in Israel, Judaic Studies major, Yeshiva/Seminary, Rabbinic programs, etc.)
--Have demonstrated leadership experience (professional, communal, or academic)
--Be committed to the Jewish community and personal growth
--Be able to attend all program sessions

Spring Cohorts
Starting January 2027

LOS ANGELES (IN PERSON)

Sunday, January 31 | 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.

NEW YORK (IN PERSON)

Tuesday, February 2 | 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.

NATIONAL (VIRTUAL)

Monday, February 1 | 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. EST
Wednesday, February 3 | 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. EST

What to Expect from the Fellowship

8 weeks - 1 evening per week

Completely free

For Jewish graduate students & young alumni (ages 22–35)

Weekly dinners included for in-person cohorts

National network + local community

Why the Sloan Fellowship?

The JGO Sloan Fellowship is an award-winning leadership experience that has inspired hundreds of Jewish graduate students and young professionals to step into leadership with confidence, clarity, and community.

Through guided conversation, mentorship, and real-world learning, Fellows:

Explore Jewish values and ethics as a framework for leadership
Learn directly from accomplished Jewish executives, attorneys, and community leaders
Build meaningful peer relationships that last beyond the fellowship
Connect Jewish learning to their professional and personal lives

This is not a lecture series. It's a conversation-driven experience designed to challenge, support, and elevate you.

Throughout the program, premier partner organizations—including Jewish Federations, Bet Tzedek, and the ADL—will share additional leadership, service, and professional opportunities available to Fellows. Fellows who complete all sessions may be invited to participate in an optional add-on educational series and receive a $300 stipend.

Take the next step on your leadership journey.

The fellowship is free. Applying takes just a few minutes.
Start Your Application

Past Speakers

Ben Silverman

Founder, Propagate

Bryan Palbaum

President & CEO, Trader Joe's Company

Craig Newmark

Founder, Craigslist

Darren Wolf

Managing Director, Director of Investments, Multi Asset Solutions

New York City, NY

Ellen Siminoff

Executive Chair Board of Directors

Jerry Levin

Former CEO, Time Warner

Joe Asher

Chief Executive Officer; Boomer's Sportsbook

Naomi Strongin

Senior Vice President, Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA

Nina Tassler

Former Chair, CBS Entertainment

Rabbi Noah Farkas

President & CEO, The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA

Rebecca Rothstein

Managing Director & Private Wealth Advisor; Merrill Private Wealth Management

Shari Redstone

President and CEO; National Amusements

Stan Kasten

President, LA Dodgers

Stephen Davis

President, Hasbro Studios

Stephen Kaplan

Co-Founder, Oaktree Capital Management

Steven Nichols

Former Chairman, President & CEO; K-Swiss Inc.

Ynon Kreiz

CEO, Mattel

View All Speakers

Upcoming Events

Nov

Jewish Conversations: Featuring Bryan Palbaum

November 3, 2026 7:00-9:00 PM

NYC Speaker Series: Featuring Bryan Palbaum, CEO of Trader Joe’s

Join us for an evening of Jewish Conversations, an intimate speaker series bringing together Jewish graduate students and young professionals for meaningful dialogue, fresh perspectives, and new connections. This evening features Bryan Palbaum, CEO of Trader Joe’s, for a conversation exploring his professional journey, leadership, and insights from the world of business.

Through JGO’s work supporting Jewish life, leadership, and community among graduate students and young professionals, Townhouse NYC creates opportunities to build relationships that extend beyond the classroom and workplace. Whether you’re looking to expand your network, hear from an accomplished executive, or connect with other members of the Jewish community, this is an opportunity to be part of the conversation.

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Private Upper East Side location in NYC
The exact address will be provided upon RSVP.

Tickets

Young Professionals: $26
Current Graduate Students: $12

Space is limited. Register today to join JGO and Townhouse NYC for an evening of conversation, connection, and community.

Interested in more events like this? Join the JGO Network for exclusive executive dinners, speaker events, and opportunities to build relationships with Jewish young professionals across the city.
Join at gojgo.org/network

Townhouse NYC, powered by JGO, brings Jewish grad students and young professionals together to build meaningful connections and engage with inspiring leaders. We're excited to have you join the conversation.

"I am so glad I set aside the time each week

to participate in JGSI's Sloan Fellowship. As a law student, it was wonderful to have time set aside to discuss Jewish ethics, culture, and religion and to simply be mindful and reflective regarding my own life. This was a new lens on Judaism for me, as I grew up learning the “what” but not the “why.” I also met inspiring graduate students and speakers who I know will comprise a life-long network of supporters in friends. I cannot recommend the Fellowship highly enough."

RACHEL KATZIN

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO Law

"During the midst of COVID

and the very isolating experience of studying for the bar exam separated from my friends and family, I needed community more than ever. This Fellowship brought me into the right headspace every Sunday evening. We studied the Talmud and Torah through a modern lens and applied their teachings to the changing world around us ... the efforts of JGSI to bring people like me together each week to discuss core Jewish values, motivated me to stay positive, believe in myself and served as a reminder that I wasn´t alone - I was a part of a much larger support system."

ETHAN ASOFSKY

UCLA LAW

"The JGSI program was truly

a life changing experience. For someone who was not very involved in the Jewish community, it was an incredible opportunity to reestablish those ties. The program is specifically tailored for the students. The Fellowship is a must for anyone looking to get more involved, network with leading executives, or simply meet new friends!"

Jordan Holtzer

UCLA Law

"Moving across the country from LA to DC,

I was eager to find a way to stay connected to my Jewish roots...Every week for two hours, I had the chance to reflect on what Judaism means to me and to hear different perspectives from other graduate students around the country. It was a worthwhile and transformative experience for me and I recommend it to anyone looking for a truly wonderful experience."

DANIELA COHENSEDGH

GEORGETOWN Law

"JGSI's Fellowship gave me a wonderful

opportunity to bond with other Jewish graduate students in Los Angeles. Not only did I learn new and interesting things about Judaism, hear from amazing speakers, and enjoy a fun weekend retreat, but I also made new life long friends. For that I am forever grateful!"

Danielle Freedman

UCLA Law

"At a time when I was starting

to lose touch with my Jewish identity, the Sloan Fellowship (facilitated by Rabbi Matt and Rabbi Dave) provided me with invaluable experiences. The Fellowship allowed me to explore aspects of Judaism that went beyond what we did learn, or could have learned, in early Hebrew school programs. Listening to the weekly speakers, exploring the weekly topics, and engaging with fellow colleagues and educators truly inspired me to re-engage with my Jewish identity. The JGSI Sloan Fellowship has a special place in my heart and I would recommend it to all who are able!"

LISA ROSENOF

UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI LAW

"I am very happy to have invested my time

with JGSI. Rabbis Matt and Dave were able to gather an amazing group of people, an even more amazing pool of guest speakers, and truly taught the Jewish values and ethics in a way that was interesting to hear. This is one of the best fellowship programs I have ever been involved with, and I look forward to continuing to support them. My recommendation if you are interested in joining is simple, JUST DO IT!"

Niko Herman

USC Marshall

"The JGSI Fellowship was instrumental

in reconnecting me to my Jewish roots. Rabbi Matt and Rabbi Dave have put together a top-notch program that touches many aspects of what it means to be Jewish. I appreciated how both advocated forJudaism's value system and were able to discuss these issues in an adult manner. I would definitely recommend this program for any Jewish graduate student."

Michael Segal

U.S. Air Force, UCLA Law

"As someone who recently moved to Los Angeles,

JGSI gave me my first sense of community here. Before moving to Los Angeles, I was very much involved in Jewish life, but I felt I had no idea how to begin here. JGSI helped me fill this void by surrounding me with like minded peers, philanthropies, and Jewish mentors here in LA. I am very thankful for my experience in the Fellowship and would highly recommend it to others."

Alexandra Gudenau

Accounting Professional

"The JGSI Fellowship left me with

an energized view on Judaism and excited to explore my roots. I could not recommend this program enough. We are all busy with grad school but this became the break I looked forward to every week!"

Chantal Hakim

UCLA Dentistry

"To whoever is reading this,

if you're searching for a deeper connection to your religion, to your community, to your own standing in this world, JGSI is right for you. Every week, I found inspiration in either the speakers, the topic, the rabbis, or my fellow colleagues. Every week, I learned more about myself and what I needed to reach my potential...I met incredible people, made incredible memories, and have taken away so much knowledge. If I could recommend one thing to anyone reading this - give it a chance, you won't regret it!"

Gabriela Gershfeld

Southwestern Law

"The JGSI Fellowship provides a unique

opportunity to disconnect once a week from our busy schedules and routines, and remember who we are as Jews, what unifies us, and why we are here. You get to meet, network, and learn together with a remarkable group of young professionals - the future leaders of the L.A. Jewish community and beyond. Rabbis Matt Rosenberg and Dave Sorani put a lot of thought and effort into the program, and the speakers they manage to line up every week is nothing less than amazing."

Chen Chadash

UCLA Anderson

"JGSI provided me with a renewed purpose

to be involved in the Jewish community. I am fortunate to always be guided by my Jewish values through my family, dietary habits, and Jewish education. However, I lost sight of the community aspect. Further, I had never learned with people who had different backgrounds than my own. It made the learning more interesting, the ideas shared more complex, and the relationships more unique. The JGSI Fellowship has a special place in my heart. And I would recommend for anyone to apply and do it."

Sarah Schwarzman

Southwestern Law

"I cannot overstate how valuable,

intellectually engaging, and genuinely enjoyable this Fellowship was for me...This program challenged me to think more deeply and critically about fundamental concepts that we ordinarily take for granted, yet are undoubtedly pervasive in, and vital to, everyday life...Finally, meeting and deeply connecting with other 'fellows,' whom I now consider true friends, was the most fulfilling part of this program."

Drew Jackson

Entertainment Lawyer, UCLA Law Alum

"The JGSI Fellowship was an incredibly

valuable experience! I haven't been involved in the Jewish community in nearly a decade and was nervous going into the program. They made me feel comfortable from day 1 and have created an environment where anyone with a genuine desire to learn about their culture and heritage can flourish! The weekly speakers and discussions were thought provoking and inspired me to continue thinking about how my Jewish values apply to daily life...The entire program completely catered to the chaotic schedules of grad students, so we could really focus our time on connecting with others."

Kyle Sausser

USC Marshall

"I have always been involved in Jewish

organizations, but once I got to law school, I lost that part of myself. The fellowship was a great opportunity to bring that Jewish learning back into my life and connect me with a great group of like-minded individuals and some really powerful executives in the world. This program really reminded me how important Judaism is in my life and how it can transcend into many different realms of my life, including my career."

Stephanie Zhubrak

Southwestern Law

"I consider JGSI a blessing.

Before attending the JGSI events and meetings I was sorely unappreciative of my Jewish heritage, and downright ignorant as to the incredible Jewish community right here in Los Angeles. JGSI provided me with an incredible new perspective with which to view Judaism as a religion, the Jews as a people, and myself as a Jew. I am so thankful to have been a part of this organization, and I can honestly say it changed my life."

Jordan Ash

Pepperdine Law

"By using Jewish values to explore

pertinent career, relationship, and personal issues the JGSI Fellowship allowed me to forge a more adult and contemporary relationship with my Jewish life and Judaism as a whole...The JGSI Fellowship has given me the information and tools needed to begin to wrestle with Judaism from the perspective of a graduate student rather than a young Hebrew school student, and it opened a whole new cerebral side of Judaism and Talmudic study to me that I hope to continue to explore in future JGSI programming."

Josh Nuzzo

Loyola Law School

"JGSI is an amazing program

that exceeded my expectations. The learning portion was easy to follow and felt so relevant to every day life. I learned so much about Judaism, and have a much deeper appreciation for my heritage. Also, the weekend retreat was so fun!"

Janna Rudetsky

Finance Professional

"The JGSI fellowship was an inspiring

and eye-opening experience. Its multifaceted approach to bringing in a plethora of Jewish values and ethics to the classroom inspired me to become a more active member of the community, while at the same time instilling on me a deeper sense of responsibility as a young leader...Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this program!"

Javier Hernandez

Investment Banking Professional, UCLA Anderson Alum

"In undergrad I was always part of

Jewish organizations. When I started law school I disconnected from those organizations and became very focused on school. Something was missing from my life and I didn't realize what was missing until I met Rabbi Matt and Rabbi Sorani...Having a graduate Jewish community to be a part of changed my law school career. JGSI brought purpose back into my life...We met exceptional speakers that I could only dream about ever meeting. In addition to the great lessons and great speakers, we built a community of fellow students."

Lilibet Behdadnia

Pepperdine Law

"JGSI filled a gap in my life

where my Jewish identity used to be. It helped me learn about my Jewish identity, and embrace all that it stands for. I learned that I am not the only Jew who is unsure what their Jewishness means and together, we helped each other take a step to redefining what it means for each of us to be Jewish."

Tal Ratner Solovey

Berkeley Law