1. Who is an ideal Insight Fellow?
2. What is the Fellow’s commitment?
3. What is CLI’s commitment?
4. What is the application process?
5. What is the selection process?
6. What is the fellowship program timeline?
7. What if I need to take time off at a time that is not designated vacation time?
8. What happens if I am unable to complete the program?
9. What happens after the fellowship is over?
10. Who do I contact for more information?

1. Who is an ideal Insight Fellow?

An Insight Fellow is a unique, talented, ambitious, bright and creative individual. The Insight Fellowship has been designed for those who see their career path as full of possibilities. It is for those who have interest and curiosity about the Jewish community, relish experiential learning and are eager to lend their voices to the communal conversation on Jewish young adult engagement.

In order to meet the demands of the program, Fellows must be flexible, self-motivated, committed and focused. In order to maximize the learning experience, Fellows must be active learners, have inquiring minds and be willing to stretch themselves to learn new skills. Together with a group of exceptional organizations, Insight Fellows will help to forge a new path in making the Jewish community more relevant to Jews in their 20s and 30s – as a place to participate, to find meaning and to find meaningful employment. The Insight Fellowship seeks individuals with a track record of leadership who want to build upon their skills and learn from a broad range of peers and professionals. Insight Fellows must be interested in an intensive cohort experience, which will involve reflection on the current Jewish community, organizational skills building and personal growth. The ideal candidate is intellectually curious, action-oriented, mature, self-aware and industrious.

2. What is the Fellow’s commitment?

Fellows commit to the following:

• Full participation in all aspects of the program, including full-time work (40 hours per week) in host organizations during project placements.
• Attending all crafted gatherings - seminars, retreats, conferences, the Israel Insight trip and the service learning program.
• Participation in the post-Fellowship program, which includes the Insight Fellowship Alumni program.
• Fellows are required to sign and abide by the Terms of Agreement letter outlining their commitment to the program.

The Insight Fellowship requires no formal commitment to a Jewish career but seeks applicants who are genuinely open to exploring it and considering it as a viable option.

3. What is CLI’s commitment? CLI commits to providing the Fellows with a finely designed program that leaves them more informed, more skilled, and more moved than their peers in other professional and academic settings. CLI will provide Fellows with an annual stipend and health benefits. The Insight Fellowship may also offer academic credit and some graduate assistance post fellowship.

4. The Application Process Applications are now closed. The next round of applications will be released for 2010. 5. The Selection Process (Subject to Change) All applications will be received, processed and reviewed by the Insight Fellowship Selection Committee, consisting of representatives of CLI staff, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation (CLSFF) and select community leaders. Selection will be based on the criteria listed above.

6. Fellowship Timeline  (Example)

• September 2008: Orientation Retreat and Organization Placement #1 Begins
• December 2008: One Week Vacation
• March 2009: Placement #1 Ends
• April 2009: Service Project Retreat and Organization Placement #2 Begins
• July 2009: One Week Vacation
• October 2009: Placement #2 Ends and Israel Insight Trip
• November 2009: Organization Placement #3 Begins
• December 2009: One Week Vacation
• February 2010: Skills Training Retreat and May 2010 Placement #3 Ends
• June 2010: National Convening
• *Monthly: Local Seminars And Networking Events

7. What if I need to take time off at a time that is not designated vacation time? Vacation periods have been built into the program. Fellows will receive up to four weeks of paid vacation over the two-year period. Fellows are expected to plan personal travel to coincide with these vacation periods. Fellows are expected to work during the regular office hours of their host organization. Fellows will not work on Shabbat or Jewish holidays and will be dismissed on Fridays prior to the start of Shabbat. Fellows are discouraged from taking any time off during project placements and may only do so with the permission of the CLI staff and the organization site supervisor. Fellows may be asked to make up hours if there are any prolonged absences that are not health related. There are no provisions for leave of absence built into the program, which will be considered only under serious and extreme circumstances.

8. What happens if I am unable to complete the program? Fellows who are unable to complete the full program will not receive the exit stipend. If a Fellow is asked to leave the program by the CLI staff, they will not receive any compensation beyond the portion of the stipend that is pro-rated to their term of service. No program benefits may be cashed out. If a Fellow is forced to leave the program due to circumstances beyond their control (personal illness, illness of an immediate family member, etc.) appropriate accommodations will be made to ensure a smooth exit. Any Fellow who elects to leave the program for reasons other than health or family crisis will be handled in the same manner as a termination.

9. What happens after the Fellowship is over? The Insight Fellowship will produce a cadre of young professional leaders who are well trained and have been exposed to a wide array of Jewish organizations and issues. It is our hope that Insight graduates will emerge from the Fellowship program and pursue either a career in the Jewish community immediately after the Fellowship or attend graduate studies in a field relevant to future work in the Jewish community.

The Fellowship is designed to help Fellows realize their academic, career and life goals and to assist in the transition from Fellow to their next step in life. Upon completion of the program, Fellows will join the Insight Alumni Program. The Insight Alumni Program will utilize the web to reconnect alumni and provide opportunities for online professional development and skills training; ongoing support in identifying academic and job prospects; networking; and career coaching.

10. Contact us:  If you are interested in learning more about Insight Fellowship please email Aliza Mazor, Insight Fellowship Coordinator.