Aryeh Fellows

RZA Aryeh Fellows FAQ Page

Thank you for your interest in the RZA Aryeh Fellowship. Here is the application link. Applications open on Yom HaAtzmaut and are due after Shavuot on Friday May 25th at 5:00pm

Have a question that’s not mentioned here? Email srobinson@rza.org or whatsapp 617-412-1724

 

  1. What is the RZA?

The Religious Zionists of America belongs to the Mizrachi Olami umbrella. Its purpose is to educate and advocate for the Religious Zionism in the United States.

RZA-Mizrachi’s mandate is: am yisrael, b’eretz yisrael, al pi torat yisrael – the people of Israel, in the land of Israel, according to the laws of Israel.

The RZA has an illustrious history. Decades ago Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik’s presented his Chamesh Derashot at the RZA – a bedrock series of lectures outlining diaspora Zionism. More recently — the RZA has spearheaded initiatives to grow Religious Zionism in the United States. In the past two years alone, the RZA has run over 40 events nationwide, enabled over 70 students to learn Torah in Israel for a combined 3,000+ hours of torah learning.

For more info about RZA click here.

 

  1. What is the RZA Aryeh Fellowship?

Students studying in American universities eligible to apply to the RZA Aryeh Fellowship. The fellowship entails two elements:

  1. Create and spearhead a year-long leadership project (for more information, see question 5)
  2. Winter break trip to Israel (for more information see question 6).

 

  1. How did this all start?

During the wave of terror back in winter 2015-2016, the RZA chose to subsidize a winter break mission for college students. With just a week of advanced notice, the RZA received over 200 applications and sent 50 to Israel. Students learned in yeshiva/midrasha, participated in a Yom Iyun at the World Mizrachi headquarters, and participated in a social media campaign. Students found that mission to be edifying, powerful, and rejuvenating.

 

The following year, the RZA continued this momentum and began a college fellowship. Today, we now seek applications for the third cohort of fellows.   

 

  1. What is the RZA looking for in a fellow?

Applicants will be selected on several grounds:

  1. The depth, quality, and professionalism of written application and in-person interview
  2. Shown commitment to Religious Zionist ideals
  3. Demonstrated leadership potential

 

  1. What is the Manhigut Project?

Fellows will work in teams of up to 3 fellows in a year-long leadership project (September through May), with the aims of:

  1. Encouraging the fellow to develop their talents; grow in their leadership skill and potential
  2. Infusing a college community, congregation, or school with Religious Zionism
  3. Will need a full academic year to accomplish

 

Here are examples of some effective projects from the past two cohorts of fellows:

-Israel Week at University of Maryland

-Collegiate Chidon HaTanach

-Israel News Digest geared toward millennials

– Israel themed poetry and poetry slam

-Monthly kumzitzes in honor of rosh chodesh

-Social media campaigns  

-A shiur series about Religious Zionism

-Translating and making a reader’s guide for Divrei Torah authored by Roshei Yeshiva in Yeshivot Hesder

-Creating webpage content for the RZA website

 

If the project involves an even – all flyers must undergo approval and contain the RZA logo.

All projects will undergo a careful proposal and approval process. Each quarter, fellows will have scheduled phone calls with the RZA office to follow up about the team’s progress. With this guidance, we believe fellows will succeed in their projected goals.

 

  1. What do I have to do when I’m in Israel?

Fellows are responsible to do three things while in Israel for winter break:

  1. Learn torah and rejuvenate themselves in the Religious Zionist Yeshiva/Midrasha they studied in pre-college. Given hectic winter break schedules, fellows are asked to learn for a minimum of 3 days. (Go to question 15 and 16 if you have questions about this.)
  2. Meet in World Mizrachi Headquarters 54 King George St, Jerusalem for a two day program TBD
  3. Participate in a social media campaign which includes: posting two photos with #RZAAryehFellows and tag @MizrachiWorldMovement @RZAMizrachi facebook and/or instagram pages. (see question 19 if you do not have social media accounts)

 

  1. Will the trip to Israel work with my school’s winter break schedule?

You are welcome to fly on any dates you wish as long as:

  1. you are able to attend at least one day of programming in World Mizrachi headquarters (date tbd)
  2. you can learn in yeshiva/midrasha for a minimum of 3 days

 

  1. How do I apply?

Here is the link. Applications open on Yom HaAtzmaut (April 19th) and are due after Shavuot (May 22nd) at 11:59pm. No late applications will be accepted.

 

  1. What are important dates and times?

Application opens: Yom HaAtzmaut, Thursday April 19th

Application deadline: following Shavuot, Wednesday May 22nd at 11:59pm

Students continuing for interviews: will be notified via email by Monday June 4

Group interviews will be held on:  June 18-22nd in the RZA office at 305 7th Ave Fl 12, New York, NY 10001, between 28th and 27th streets. (Note that the RZA shares office space with the Beth Din of America and the Rabbinical Council of America.)

If you are out of state, you will join via video chat.

Acceptance, waitlist and rejection letters by: Accepted fellows must confirm their placement by July 1 with their bio, headshot, and signed forms. Waitlisted then accepted fellows must confirm placement by July 8 with their bio, headshot, and signed forms.

 

  1. How does the money work?

Fellows will purchase their own flights and send receipts to Sarah Robinson by Sunday Sept 23rd. As long as the trip dates fit with the requirements in question 8, the RZA will provide the fellow with a  $500 travel reimbursement. Scholarships available.

(Note: fellows who do not meet fellowship requirements will return $500 back to the RZA.)

 

  1. I was selected for an interview. What should I expect?

Interviews will be held in groups of 2 to 3 people. All interviews will be held in the RZA’s office 305 7th Ave Fl 12, New York, NY 10001, between 28th and 27th streets. (Note that the RZA shares office space with the Beth Din of America and the Rabbinical Council of America.) If you are out of state, you will join via video chat.

Applicants should expect to discuss their personal and leadership background, their past involvement in Religious Zionist initiatives, and why they want to join the fellowship.

 

  1. I was accepted! What’s next?

First, mazal tov! Second, applicants must confirm their placement in the fellowship by Sunday July 1  with their bio and signed forms.

 

  1. I was waitlisted. What should I expect?

You will hear from us by Sunday July 1st if you are taken off the waitlist. If taken off the waitlist, you must send your bio and signed forms by Sunday July 8th to secure your spot.

 

  1. I studied in a yeshiva/midrasha after high school but I don’t feel comfortable returning there for winter break. Can I study in a different yeshiva/midrasha?

Contact the Religious Zionist yeshiva or midrasha of your choice. It is possible they will ask you to pay for room and board since you did not study there post-high school. For a list of yeshivot and midrashot, follow this link to the S. Daniel Abraham Israel Program through YU:http://www.yu.edu/israel-program/gis/

 

  1. I didn’t have the chance to study in any yeshiva/midrasha after high school. Can I still apply?

Contact the Religious Zionist yeshiva or midrasha of your choice. It is possible they will ask you to pay for room and board since you did not study there post-high school. For a list of yeshivot and midrashot, follow this link to the S. Daniel Abraham Israel Program through YU:http://www.yu.edu/israel-program/gis/

 

  1. I’m a smicha student, in graduate school, or young professional. Can I still apply for the Fellowship?

The fellowship is open to all students in undergrad, grad, and smicha. The fellowship not open to young professionals.

 

17.I live outside the New York metro area. Can I still apply?

Of course! This is a national fellowship. We are proud to have fellows from all over the United States.  

 

  1. I don’t use social media like facebook and instagram. How can I fulfill the social media requirement?

An alternative to posting on social media is emailing family and friends about your experience. Remember to bcc sarah.robinson@mail.yu.edu when sending the email.

 

  1. I have a question which wasn’t on this list. Who should I contact?

Email srobinson@rza.org or office@rza.org or whatsapp 617-412-1724