Become a Fellow

Applications for the 2024 cohort are open! APPLY HERE. To apply for the 2024 Fellowship, you must be in 11th grade in the fall of 2023, be from the U.S. or Canada, and self-identify as Jewish.

Nominate a teen here.

If you’re too young to apply this year, please add your name to our interest form. If you are an adult who works with teens, please fill out this form.

About the Fellowship

The Bronfman Fellowship is an opportunity unlike any other: a space where young people who want to see the world through a lens broader than their own can explore issues with depth, candor, and joy, while forming friendships to last a lifetime. 

Every year, twenty-six intellectually adventurous North American teenagers are selected as Bronfman Fellows. The Fellowship begins with an immersive, all-expenses-paid summer in Israel and the U.S. Fellows wrestle with major issues in contemporary Jewish life, explore the land and people of Israel, meet some of today’s most influential figures, and expand their perspectives as they build community with those representing different backgrounds, worldviews, and approaches to Jewish life and practice. Inspired by a diverse faculty of Rabbis, educators, and artists, the pluralistic group of Fellows have the opportunity to explore a wide range of Jewish texts — from classic religious documents to contemporary Israeli and American voices — as well as art workshops, using them to spark conversations, engage with stimulating existential questions, and achieve a deeper understanding of themselves and one another. 

The Fellowship year continues with monthly virtual experiences and a Winter and Spring seminar in the United States, usually in the Northeast. Fellows continue their association with the Fellowship through our extraordinarily active, 1400+ alumni community. 

Eligibility and Important Dates

High school students who are in 11th grade in the fall of 2023, who self-identify as Jewish, and who are from the United States or Canada are eligible for the 2024 Fellowship. 

The Fellowship begins the summer after 11th grade and is all-expenses-paid.

Dates for 2024 Fellowship Year:

• Summer Seminar: June 24 – July 29, 2024
• Winter Seminar: January 23-28, 2025 (tentative)
• Spring Seminar: April 6-9, 2025

Application at a Glance

• Application Opens: mid-August, 2023
• Virtual Info Sessions: Prospective applicants, parents, and educators are invited to join one of our two virtual info sessions (sign up for whichever one is more convenient). Teens are also welcome to join our Q&A session, a more informal Zoom where they can talk directly to recent Fellows.
  • Info Session #1: October 12, 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT – Register here.
  • Info Session #2: October 30, 11 pm ET/ 8 pm PT – Register here.
  • Q&A Session: November 13, 8 pm ET/ 5pm PT – Register here.
  • Watch a recording of last year’s info session here.
• Application Deadline: December 4, 2023
• Deadline for receipt of letters of recommendation and transcript: December 6, 2023
• Keep in mind that your application must include:
  • Two (2) recommendations from individuals who know you well. At least one of these recommendations must be from a teacher. The other can be any non-relative who knows you well (including another school professional, Rabbi, employer, etc.).
  • High school transcript (through at least grade 10). 
• More questions? Check out our FAQ’s 
• See a preview of this year’s application (to help prepare your application, but this cannot be submitted. Application must be completed online).