New Gen Activism Fellowship 2016/17
Introducing the New Gen Activism Fellowship...
The New Gen Activism Fellowship is an exciting opportunity for young British Jews who are passionate about social justice, human rights, equality and pluralism and who care deeply about the State of Israel.
New Gen (short for “New Generation”) is New Israel Fund’s international community of young adults and social activists in their twenties and thirties who are committed to this vision, and New Gen members in the UK are offered a variety of ways to learn, connect and act through our menu of educational, social and philanthropic activities.
The New Gen Activism Fellowship will offer fellows a unique immersion into issues in Israeli society, connect them with Israeli activists leading positive change on the ground, and equip them with the skills and tools to lead initiatives to promote New Israel Fund’s work within the UK Jewish community.
Our Vision for the Fellowship
We see the New Gen Activism Fellowship as an opportunity to nurture a new generation of leadership which can steer the British Jewish community to actively engage with New Israel Fund’s work to advance social justice, human rights, religious freedom and a shared and tolerant society in Israel.
Through structure and support we hope fellows will become leaders and activists of the New Gen community in the UK. They will be expected to widely contribute to New Gen activities throughout the year, to galvanise support for NIF and to contribute to generating a transformation in attitudes, knowledge and awareness of NIF’s work and values within the UK Jewish community.
If this vision excites you too, then read on!
Fellowship Components
The year-long fellowship entails:
· Aten-day immersive trip in Israelengaging with core issues in Israeli society and key actors in civil society working for positive social change. The trip will be conducted jointly with a cohort of a parallel Australian NIF fellowship.
· Six Sunday day-seminars throughout the course of the yearin the UK providing training, development and peer support to support fellows'development as agents of change.
· Taking a leadership role in New Genthrough involvement inone of New Gen's coreorganising committeeswhich leadgiving circles, special events, the New Gen blog, and challenger fundraising initiatives.
· Becoming anambassador of social change in Israel, through “speaking out” on issues relating to social justice, human rights, religious freedom and shared society in Israel to audiences back in the UK. This can be achieved by taking on public speaking engagements, leading educational activities or writing in the press.
· Working with the other New Gen Activism Fellows to produce aflagship projectwhich raises awareness and/or funds for a project or organization that is working to advance social change in any of New Israel Fund’s core issue areas.
Fellows will receive:
· A unique opportunityto play a role in advancing positive social change in Israel
· CV-enhancing training, development and mentorshipopportunities with UK based activists and leaders from the world of community organising and social change
· Networking opportunitiesto forge connections and partnerships with Israeli, British and international peers and leaders, and tojoinan international community of like-minded activists
· Firsthandexperience and in depth knowledgeof New Israel Fund issue areas and projects throughout Israel
· Platforms forleadership and speaking opportunitieswithin the UK Jewish Community, NIF's networks and further afield.
Dates and details
Orientation Seminar
18 June 2016
This full day orientation seminar in London will:
· Introduce fellows to the programme, NIF staff and each other.
· Clarify expectations and requirements
· Offer a broad introduction to the work of NIF
· Provide a framework for fellows to begin to prepare for fellowship components
Israel Tour
4 - 13 July 2016
The intensive eight-day tour will include visits and tours hosted by NIF grantees, meetings with experts and activists, and practical workshops and trainings. In this holistic, immersive experience, fellows will:
· Learn about key issues affecting contemporary Israeli society
· Engage with the goals, values and strategy of NIF and its partners
· Study a variety of strategies of social change
· Identify and explore issues which they care about and are motivated to act on
· Forge personal connections with activists on the ground and lay the groundwork for future partnerships and joint projects
· Gain skills for activism
Training & Development Seminars
4 September 2016, 6 November 2016, 8 January 2017, 5 March 2017
Four complementary seminars will punctuate the fellowship in the UK, offering training, development and a forum for peer support as fellows implement the various components of the fellowship. The seminars will include:
· Updates from the field in Israel
· Module on community organizing
· Module on practical skills for activism
· Peer updating and support for fellows’ New Gen leadership and ambassador commitments
In addition to the four training & development seminars, fellows will be offered mentoring throughout the duration of the fellowship, to assist with developing and implementing projects.
New Gen Leadership Component
Fellows will be expected to take a lead role in existing New Gen activities by joining one of the following New Gen organising committees:
· “Food for thought” Giving Circles
· New Gen Special Events Committee including the Human Rights Awards Dinner
· New Gen Activism Blog and digital communications
· Challenger Fundraising
Applicants are requested to indicate preferences in their application.
Ambassadors of Social Change in Israel Component
Fellows will be expected to “speak out” on issues relating to social justice, human rights, religious freedom and shared society in Israel, through public speaking, leading educational activities or writing in the press. Each fellow will be expected to “speak out” in some capacity on 2-3 occasions during the fellowship.
NIF will support fellows by drawing on our networks and resources to provide easily accessible opportunities for fellows to speak out.
FlagshipProject
September 2016 - April 2017
Fellows will be expected to work together to produce a flagship project of their own design which raises awareness and/or funds for a project or organization that is working to advance social change in any of our core issue areas
Fellows will be supported in this endeavour through the practical skills for activism module in the training seminars, and a micro budget will be made available for the team project.
Closing Seminar
7 May 2017
The closing seminar will conclude the fellowship, and will enable fellows to reflect, measure their impact, celebrate successes and consider their plans for ongoing engagement with NIF and Israel activism
How much does it cost?
Thefellowship is free, however you must cover the costs ofyour own flights and travel insuranceto Israel for the seminar in July. We will help make recommendations for flights and coordinate the group’s travel plans once places have been allocated.
Who is it for?
The fellowship is for young activists who are able to demonstrate the following:
· leadership experience
· a commitment to NIF’s vision and values
· skills or professional expertise that they are interested in developing and applying to activist work to advance a just, democratic and pluralistic Israel.
Candidates must be prepared to make the following commitments:
· attending all specific fellowship programming, including the 10 day trip to Israel, and 6 Sunday seminars as well as a number of other meetings and events in the New Gen community throughout the year
· time outside of meetings and events towards communicating, writing and planning for projects and other fellowship based activities
No previous participation in New Israel Fund events or within the New Gen community is required.
The fellowship is a 12 month commitment. We hope that fellows will be inspired to remain engaged with New Israel Fund’s work and involved in the New Gen leadership as mentors, but there is no commitment specified beyond the 12 month period.
We are keen to develop a heterogenic group of fellows with diverse backgrounds and interests, so make sure to tell us your unique story and highlight any distinctive qualities, skills or knowledge you could bring to the group.
The New Gen community and New Israel Fund's UK based activities will take place in London. As a result, applicants from across the UK are welcome, but we cannot guarantee your place on the programme if you cannot commit to attending all the seminars in London.
How do I apply?
The application process includes filling in an application form and then an individual interview with New Israel Fund staff in London.
Fill in the application form here: www.newisraelfund.org.uk/fellowshipform
Closing date for applications: 18th April 2016 at Midday.
Interviews will be held during the week of the 2nd – 7th May 2016.
If you have any questions about the New Gen Activism Fellowship, or want to discuss your application or individual circumstances then please contact Graham, the New Gen coordinator at or call 0207 724 2266.