ACHARAI Fellows Program FAQs
Q: What is the ACHARAI Fellows Program (AFP)?
The AFP is a personalized leadership development journey, offered through Na’aleh: The Hub for Leadership Learning that enables leaders to work closely with a cohort of peers, faculty and coaches. For ten months, approximately 20 Fellows learn leadership theory, discover inspiring Jewish texts, participate in transformative leadership coaching, network with top leaders in our Jewish community and discuss the diverse challenges of today’s Jewish leaders.
Q: Who is eligible to participate in the ACHARAI Fellows Program (AFP)?
To participate in AFP, a leader must be next in line to become President of the Board of any Jewish non-profit in the Greater Baltimore area. Most Fellows start the program with 1-3 years until their terms as President begins, and some begin their terms as President during the AFP.
Q: What are the benefits of participating in and graduating from the AFP?
Our AFP Fellows enjoy the comradery and trust that develops in each AFP cohort. Fellows benefit from learning from thought leaders and Jewish scholars to explore meaningful ways to foster a dynamic board environment, create organizational impact and build partnerships within their organization. Each AFP Fellow develops a leadership tool kit that will inspire new ideas and innovative strategies to move his/her organization forward, all through a leadership lens. During this experience, Fellows learn best practices and share leadership challenges with each other, in a safe space where trust, curiosity and learning are embraced and encouraged. Once Fellows complete the AFP, their leadership journey continues. Fellows will join our community’s top leaders as part of the ACHARAI Alumni network. Alumni benefit from networking and learning opportunities through thought provoking speaker series, classes, events and seminars. AFP is a rigorous and highly respected preparation for board presidencies, with a 14-year history of bringing together top leaders from all streams of Judaism in our community.
Q: What is the structure of the ACHARAI Fellows Program?
Highlights of the program include one-to-one leadership coaching, in-depth group discussions with peers, thought provoking retreats and becoming part of a leadership community. Fellows of all different learning styles have access to training and tools to contribute to their growth. AFP runs from September to June and meets once a month, typically on Wednesday evenings from 5:15 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. In addition, there are two full-day Sunday retreats – one at the beginning and one at the end of the Program.
Q: Do I need to attend every session?
Yes! We ask that applicants look at the class schedule ahead of time to be sure they can attend every session. Because cohort class size is intentionally limited to enhance the experience, everyone plays an important role in the success of each class.
Q: What will I learn?
AFP’s innovative and experiential curriculum focuses on strengthening participants’ personal leadership capacity, as well as their ability to foster collaboration and change. The arc of the learning includes:
- Self as leader: AFP begins with a focus on self-awareness and self-understanding. Fellows complete a personalized 360 assessment tool that identifies the influences and motivations that drive actions and how beliefs, aspirations, fears and values affect their abilities as leaders.
- Understanding oneself in the context of leading an organization.
- Understanding oneself in the context of being a leader in the Jewish community.
Q: How many people are accepted into a cohort?
There are anywhere from 18-22 Fellows in a cohort.
Q: Who are the faculty?
We have an incredible line up of top-notch faculty. For each cohort, we bring in expert speakers and facilitators to address specific issues or trends.
Q: What is the tuition and fees for the program?
The cost of the program is $1,800. This includes all classes, retreats, three leadership coaching sessions, a 360 degree assessment tool, dinners and class materials. Applicants may pay the tuition themselves or work with their organizations to arrange to share the cost, which acknowledges the benefit to their organizations.
Q: Are scholarships available?
We do not want the cost of the AFP to deter anyone eligible from applying. If you and your organization need financial assistance, please let us know, as we have scholarships available.
Q: How do I apply?
To apply, applicants must be nominated by someone in their organization. This is usually the Executive Director, Rabbi, or other high level professional or lay leader. Nomination applications can be found here. In addition, applicants must also submit a personal application, which can be found here.
Q: Who has gone through the AFP?
We have over 140 alumni and counting – Click here to see our list of alumni.
For more information, contact Beth Gansky at bgansky@naalehbaltimore.org or 410-843-7497.