Jerusalem, Israel, January 16, 2025 – M²: The Institute for Experiential Jewish Education (M²), a nonprofit organization that empowers educators and organizations to create impactful Jewish experiences, announced today its 80+ fellows for 2025. Fellows from across the globe will participate in four distinct programs, including professional development initiatives for senior educators and educators in Israel as well as research fellowships exploring Jewish prayer and peoplehood. The fellows join M²’s network of over 2,500 educators from 20+ countries and 570 organizations.
Jewish educators play a crucial role in shaping Jewish life and cultivating thriving Jewish identity and community. However, with the field of Jewish education and engagement facing talent pipeline challenges and the Jewish community navigating complex challenges, there is a need to provide professionals for more transformative and compelling educational frameworks, especially following the events of October 7th, as community members increasingly turn to their educators for guidance and support.
M² addresses these challenges through its range of programs, equipping educators and organizations with the skills, resources, and frameworks needed to create meaningful, values-driven Jewish experiences that strengthen Jewish identity and connection. By offering cohort-based training programs and fellowships focused on developing educational resources and pedagogical approaches, M² is creating a global community of educators inspired to transform Jewish life. These initiatives ensure a strong pipeline of educators who are prepared to meet current demands and build a sustainable and purposeful future for Jewish education.
The 2025 fellows will partake in the following programs:
- Senior Educators Cohort: Thirty-five fellows are welcomed to the 8th class of M²’s flagship program, which provides outstanding educators from across the globe with the theories and practices that enable them to master the craft of experiential Jewish education. The Senior Educators Cohort is generously supported by the Maimonides Fund.
- Mabat Israel: Twenty-three outstanding Israeli fellows will be joining this immersive experience in Israel, which will provide them with a comprehensive overview of the theory and practice of experiential Jewish education. Over the course of three seminars, participants will gain exposure to cutting-edge methodologies that challenge them to articulate and sharpen their educational vision, approach, and practice. Mabat is generously supported by the Goodman Foundation, Weingarten Foundation, and two unnamed foundations.
- Jewish Pedagogies of T’fillah Research Fellowship: Ten fellows will be taking part in M²’s inaugural T’fillah Research Fellowship. The program attracts master educators to research and develop educational practices that enrich the field of Jewish prayer and honor ancient traditions and contemporary spiritual needs. The fellowship is in partnership with the Hadar Institute, with support from the Covenant Foundation and Taube Philanthropies.
- Jewish Pedagogies of Peoplehood Research Fellowship: Twelve professionals will participate in this research fellowship to lead educators in developing Jewish Peoplehood educational practices and cultivating a collective sense of belonging within communities. The program will help educators foster a new sense of peoplehood, resilience, and unity in response to the challenges emerging from October 7th. The program is run in partnership with the Z3 Project, with support from the Covenant Foundation and Taube Philanthropies.
The diverse group of fellows hails from the U.S., U.K., Israel, France, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Germany, Spain, Serbia, Bulgaria, and more, and has vast experience across various disciplines within the Jewish world. Participants include educators, academic researchers, creatives, rabbis, and organizational leaders representing a broad range of organizations, including the Jewish Federation of North America, the Orthodox Union, Hillel, BBYO, the World Zionist Organization, the Hartman Institute, Moishe House, Limmud, the National Library of Israel, and other Jewish institutes, foundations, schools, and synagogues.
“Jewish educators are the architects of the future of Jewish life, and Jewish life will never be more compelling than what these educators can convey,” said Shuki Taylor, M²’s Founder & CEO. “We are committed to equipping them with the most transformative ideas, content, and frameworks alongside a vibrant global community of peers to help them embrace their role in shaping Jewish life with creativity, purpose, and a shared vision for generations to come. I look forward to seeing how each of our fellows utilizes our training programs to challenge, confront, and reenvision the landscape of Jewish education, especially during these challenging times.”
About M²: The Institute for Experiential Jewish Education
M²: The Institute for Experiential Jewish Education is a global nonprofit organization whose mission is to unlock meaningful and purposeful Jewish living. Founded in 2016, M²‘s cutting-edge professional development programs, innovative educational frameworks, and tailored consulting services empower educators and organizations to conceptualize transformative educational experiences that inspire individuals and communities to find meaning and purpose in Jewish living. It also equips educators with tools to strengthen their professional identities, master their craft, and drive impactful change. M²’s global network of alumni and partners continues to inspire and expand the reach of Jewish education worldwide. For more information, visit ieje.org.