Ralph I. Goldman Fellowship

Job description

The Ralph I. Goldman (RIG) Fellowship is the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee's (JDC) premier leadership opportunity. Awarded annually to one outstanding individual, it is designed for emerging leaders within the Jewish community, as well as visionary thinkers and practitioners from all fields — including policy makers, writers, business innovators, artists, and community builders. Fellows collaborate closely with senior JDC staff to design unique international placements shaped by their skills, interests, and the critical needs of communities abroad. Operating in more than 70 countries worldwide, RIG Fellows typically complete two or three international assignments over their Fellowship year in locations such as Georgia, Ethiopia, India, Israel, Hungary, Nepal, and Ukraine. Essential Functions: Fellowship Design & Planning • Participate in a 2-month orientation: 2 weeks at JDC headquarters in New York, NY, followed by 4–5 weeks at JDC offices in Jerusalem, Israel • Partner with senior JDC staff to identify and design international placements aligned with the Fellow's expertise and the needs of communities abroad • Adapt the Fellowship plan responsively as priorities and circumstances evolve throughout the year Field Placement & Global Engagement • Complete international placements applying professional expertise across social work, community building, human resources, or international development • Engage directly with local Jewish communities and JDC partners to contribute meaningfully to programs and initiatives on the ground Leadership & Professional Development • Build leadership capacity through hands-on experience navigating JDC's complex, cross-cultural global operations • Gain exposure to and complete Entwine's program curriculum • Cultivate relationships with JDC staff, community leaders, and partners across multiple countries while demonstrating initiative and self-direction • Share quarterly updates with the RIG Fellowship Selection Committee; present to the JDC Board at the end of the Fellowship year Community & Legacy • Deepen knowledge of global Jewish issues and the challenges facing communities worldwide • Embody the values of Ralph I. Goldman and remain engaged with the RIG alumni network and broader Entwine community post-Fellowship Qualifications: • Professional achievement in the candidate's chosen career • Demonstrated progression of leadership in the Jewish communal space, as a professional or community leader • Strong public speaking, presentation, and relationship-building skills; adept at conflict resolution, goal setting, and prioritization • Deep interest in international Jewish affairs and public service • Bachelor's degree or equivalent and proven academic excellence • Ability to travel full-time and often with minimal notice • Advanced degrees a plus but not required • Knowledge of foreign language(s) a plus but not required • Formal and/or informal Jewish education a plus but not required Salary: Approximately $66,000 (paid semi-monthly; dependent on currency exchange). This is a paid, professional Fellowship with a full compensation and benefits package. Benefits: • 100% coverage by JDC's travel insurance, including emergency medical evacuation • 9 vacation days per six-month period (18 days total for the Fellowship year) • Up to $2,000 for professional development and education Equal Opportunity Employer: JDC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to treating people with compassion and respect. All qualified applications will be considered without regard to age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.