The Lauder Fellowship - World Jewish Congress

Engaging Jewish youth to face tomorrow's challenges

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About the Fellowship

The Lauder Fellowship is an international network of top Jewish student leaders seeking to represent and advocate on behalf of the global Jewish community. Lauder Fellows typically have an interest in the subject areas of public diplomacy, politics, communications, and other relevant fields.

Throughout the Fellowship, Lauder Fellows will receive leadership training with top World Jewish Congress leaders and experts, as well as priority access to high-level speakers within WJC’s global network. Fellows will also have an opportunity to gain access to insider events at the United Nations and other international bodies, internship opportunities, and other World Jewish Congress resources.

This Fellowship caters to university students or individuals connected to Jewish Student Unions aged 18-26.

The Lauder Fellowship runs for one calendar year, beginning in August. The Fellowship kicks off with a seminar in New York where the cohort gets the chance to meet their peers, hear from top WJC experts, and plan out their personalized work plan. Over the course of the year, Fellows work on their personalized work plan, which is a project they implement to support their local community or college campus with the guidance and resources of the World Jewish Congress. At the end of the year, Fellows are taken to Europe for a high-level Diplomacy Summit to meet with various community leaders, attend diplomatic meetings, and present their work plan to their peers.

By applying to the Lauder Fellowship, an individual commits to the following:

  1. Attending a multi-day seminar in New York City (early-mid August)
  2. Completing their individualized work plan, which is built by each individual Fellow. This is not a full-time job; rather, it runs parallel with a student’s academic and extracurricular commitments.
  3. Attending a virtual session once every 6-8 weeks for approximately one hour.
  4. Attending the Diplomacy Summit in Europe at the completion of the Fellowship (late May-June)

*This Fellowship is not an internship with the World Jewish Congress and is not a paid opportunity.

Applications for our 2024-2025 cohort are now open. 

Learn about Ambassador Lauder and his work here.

Meet the 2023-2024 Fellows

Meet our previous Lauder Fellows

Application

Requirements

  • Current enrollment in an institution of higher education or member of a Jewish student union.
  • Demonstrated leadership capacity
  • Two references
  • Your CV
  • A 1-year commitment


This Fellowship is a global initiative. Students from all countries worldwide are encouraged to apply.

APPLY TODAY

Learn more about what WJC has to offer on-campus here.
Please contact nextgen@wjc.org with any questions or comments.

Testimonials

Although there are hundreds of fellowships that students can choose to be a part of, none even come close to the Lauder Fellowship. The Lauder Fellowship is the most student-focused of any program out there. Besides getting to choose your own work plan to tackle the problems that your individual community faces, you get to work with the most gifted and talented group of individuals in the world. The Lauder Fellowship gave me so many tools that I am confident will be invaluable no matter where life takes me. If I could do it again I would do it in a heartbeat!

Person

Avrohom Malachowski

CUNY Baruch College

The experience I have had as a Lauder Fellow over the past 12 months has been nothing short of incredible. The opportunity to connect with Jewish Youth from around the world, debate pressing issues facing international Jewry, and learn from each others advocacy efforts has been invaluable. I am completing the fellowship with a deeper understanding of and ability to defend the International Jewish community.

Person

Emily Kalo

University of Manitoba

WJC NextGen’s Lauder Fellowship has been by far the most rewarding, unique and educational experience I’ve ever embarked on. This unmatched journey allowed me to not only connect with, but also build long lasting friendships with exceptional fellows from around the world which I know I will always be able to count on. It represented an exception and one of a kind opportunity that elevated my voice and gave me a seat in rooms usually reserved for working professionals.

Person

Eliott Prezerowitz

Georgetown University

The Lauder Fellowship has been a journey that has truly transformed my perspective on leadership and global Jewish unity. There is no other platform which provides young people the opportunity to combine love and passion for the Jewish people with professional skills and mentorship in diplomacy, advocacy and project management

Person

Alissa Foster

University of New South Wales

"I would recommend the Ronald S. Lauder Fellowship to young Jewish leaders that want to leave a mark on their community. The Fellowship gives you the opportunity to meet and engage with other activists from all around the world, and create connections between countries and continents."

Person

Caterina Cognini

Ca' Foscari University of Venice (Italy)

"WJC has made me a better leader on my campus and beyond. This fellowship has equipped me with knowledge and skills, mentors, and a network of other passionate students—with whom I’ve collaborated on international initiatives."

Person

Zachary Milewicz

Washington University in St. Louis (USA)

“The Ronald S. Lauder Fellowship has been an unparalleled experience, and it has enabled and empowered me to create effective change at Yeshiva University. As a fellow, I co-founded a student-led think tank with another YU student, and together, we have created a space for students to learn, debate, and tackle the pressing questions facing world Jewry. This never would have been possible without WJC; this fellowship is a blessing that keeps on giving.”

Person

Sruli Fruchter

Yeshiva University (USA)

"Having been a part of a community, along with other Jewish students, sharing a mission to enhance Jewish life around the world, is something that I will cherish forever. The Ronald S Lauder Fellowship brings the brightest and best Jewish students from around the world to take part in this shared mission. I am so grateful to have been part of that goal."

Person

Jake Benyowitz

Yeshiva University (USA)

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