IMAGINE A FUTURE
SHAPED BY YOU
IMAGINE
A FUTURE
SHAPED
BY YOU
The Hillel Leadership Incubator empowers a select cohort of Jewish young adults to activate change within their communities and broader German society.
Recruitment is underway
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Ready to take your leadership journey to the next level? The Hillel Leadership Incubator is seeking talented individuals for its upcoming 2025/2026 cohort. Apply now and become part of a community dedicated to driving positive change. Click the link in to apply.
Nominate a candidate
The goal of the program is to provide Jewish young adults with the skill, tools, resources and support they need to become dynamic and effective changemakers within their communities, with the aim of strengthening and enriching Jewish life in Germany for generations to come.
Nominate a candidate
Why “Incubate” Jewish Leaders?
Jews in Germany experience unique challenges. Of particular urgency are societal and political challenges, such as the rise of antisemitism, obstacles to effective participation in some iterations of Jewish community leadership, and the struggle for better representation in German society. We also experience social challenges within our communities, such as gender inequality in leadership and denominational and political differences that pull Jewish people apart. For the sake of the rapidly changing and challenging circumstances of our generation, we need to both strengthen our core values and learn how to effectively adapt to change.
Empowerment
Rootedness
Professional
development
Community
strengthening
The Hillel Leadership Incubator serves as a catalyst for values-based innovation and sustainable changemaking. By recommitting to Jewish values and offering new approaches to leadership, we support young adults who want to make their communities more dynamic, adaptive, pluralistic, and better equipped to respond to changing circumstances and emerging challenges.
During the program, fellows develop a strong sense of belonging and empowerment, equipping them to create inclusive, connected communities where others experience the same.
During the program, fellows develop a strong sense of belonging and empowerment, equipping them to create inclusive, connected communities where others experience the same.
Nominate a candidate
About the Program
Over a nine-month period, emerging Jewish leaders from across Germany receive training and learn from expert trainers, mentors and established leaders through a customized curriculum to suit their needs. Fellows explore the meaning of ‘community’ and ‘leadership’ within the cohort and maintain close ties with the Hillel Deutschland team beyond their participation period.
Three in person seminars in Germany
Opening Seminar: Sunday, October 18th to Tuesday, October 20th, 2026
Mid-Term Seminar: Sunday, March 14th to Tuesday, March 16th, 2027
Final Seminar in Berlin: Sunday, June 20th to Tuesday, June 22rd, 2027
Fellows are also invited to the annual Hillel Visionssummit from 19-22 November 2026.
Between the seminars, five learning sessions and four mentorship meetings will be held online.
Participants should be able to commit to all sessions. Upon the conclusion of the full program, participants will receive an official certificate of completion.
Between the seminars, five learning sessions and four mentorship meetings will be held online.
Participants should be able to commit to all sessions. Upon the conclusion of the full program, participants will receive an official certificate of completion.
Qualifications
18-28 age
Jewish
based
in Germany
in Germany
German
speaker
speaker
We are looking for young Jews ages 18-28 who are based in Germany and have demonstrated leadership experience, either within the Jewish community or in other frameworks serving the public good. Applicants should be passionate about community building and social change, and open to being part of a process that is challenging and growth-oriented. Applicants must be prepared to commit fully to a 9-month experience, with attendance expected at each seminar and the meetings in between.
Nominate a Candidate
Application Process
Step 1:
Nomination
Applications for the program are by nomination only. To gain access to the application, each candidate must first be nominated by a colleague, representative of a Jewish community, contact at an organization, a mentor or other leader. Nominations are open from July 15, 2026.
Once we receive the nomination, we will contact candidates directly to complete the application.
Once we receive the nomination, we will contact candidates directly to complete the application.
Step 2:
Application
Once we receive the nomination, we will contact candidates directly to complete the application in full. The application may be completed in English or German. The deadline for applications is 15 Agust 2026.
Step 3:
Online Interviews
The Hillel Deutschland team will carefully review the applications. Select candidates will be interviewed by Hillel staff members. The interviews will take place in the second half of August 2026.
Step 4:
Confirmation of Acceptance
Notifications of acceptance to the program will be sent
out by September 2026.
out by September 2026.
Your
feedback
Sima Purits
During the fellowship, I simply learned more about myself as a person. In particular, focussing on my opportunities and the things that I can really influence. I've also learned to see the potential in other people and to appreciate diversity
David Weissmann
I gained enough confidence to start taking leadership roles and lead my own project through the Incubator and I can recommend it to anyone who is motivated to engage themselves in their Jewish community.
David Schapiro
Understanding the values underlying my leadership has been very strengthening and nurturing.
Mascha Raykhamnn
I had no Jewish "community" before, you are my first real Jewish community <3
Alex Krioukov
The main skill I have developed is the believe, that I as a leader can matter and can demand change through my positions. The incubator helps you outgrow imposter syndrome.
Sima Purits
During the fellowship, I simply learned more about myself as a person. In particular, focussing on my opportunities and the things that I can really influence. I've also learned to see the potential in other people and to appreciate diversity
David Weissmann
I gained enough confidence to start taking leadership roles and lead my own project through the Incubator and I can recommend it to anyone who is motivated to engage themselves in their Jewish community.
David Schapiro
Understanding the values underlying my leadership has been very strengthening and nurturing.
Mascha Raykhamnn
I had no Jewish "community" before, you are my first real Jewish community <3
Alex Krioukov
The main skill I have developed is the believe, that I as a leader can matter and can demand change through my positions. The incubator helps you outgrow imposter syndrome.
Sima Purits
During the fellowship, I simply learned more about myself as a person. In particular, focussing on my opportunities and the things that I can really influence. I've also learned to see the potential in other people and to appreciate diversity
David Weissmann
I gained enough confidence to start taking leadership roles and lead my own project through the Incubator and I can recommend it to anyone who is motivated to engage themselves in their Jewish community.
David Schapiro
Understanding the values underlying my leadership has been very strengthening and nurturing.
Mascha Raykhamnn
I had no Jewish "community" before, you are my first real Jewish community <3
Alex Krioukov
The main skill I have developed is the believe, that I as a leader can matter and can demand change through my positions. The incubator helps you outgrow imposter syndrome.
We are proud of
Our signature
programs
Visionssummit
Join us for a unique four-day interactive gathering, aimed at addressing the pressing question of how to create inclusive Jewish spaces with commonly defined boundaries. Young Jews (18-35) from across Germany will come together to explore, envision, and practice ways to foster inclusivity while respecting and celebrating the diversity of Jewish traditions and identities.
Festival of Resilience
The Festival of Resilience is an art and culture festival that has been held every year since 2020 in memory of the antisemitic, racist and misogynist attack in Halle and Wiedersdorf on 9 October 2019 - Yom Kippur 5780. The festival was initiated by the survivors of the attack, takes place around the anniversary and is based on the Jewish idea that mourning should be connected to joy and a productive moment can arise from it.
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Discover all programs