What You’ll Learn

Fellows will build the skills, relationships, and Ko’ach (strength) to co-develop a shared advocacy agenda and gain practical experience engaging with campus administrators and political leaders. Together, we will learn and practice: 

• How campus decisions are made: administrators, departments, shared governance, Board of Regents 

• How state and federal policies shape campus climate and Jewish life: Title VI, free speech, antisemitism definitions, and the impact of BDS movements 

• How legislative bodies influence higher education: state Higher Education Committees, appropriations, oversight 

• Effective advocacy strategies with campus leaders, legislators, and other decision-makers 

• Communicating your story with clarity, confidence, and purpose 

• Coalition building and working across difference on campus 

• Responding to campus events and investigations (e.g., hearings on antisemitism, DOE inquiries) with strategy and partnership 

Details & Schedule

Led by Rabbi Jill Avrin, Director of Campus Affairs at JCRC
This program is made possible by an anonymous donor

October 2026 – April 2027
12 Tuesday evenings and additional meetings with representatives
Located on the University of Minnesota campus
Dinner provided
$1000 stipend awarded upon successful completion

• Session 1, Tuesday, October 20, 5:30-8:00 PM
• Session 2, Tuesday, October 27, 5:30-8:00 PM
• Session 3, Tuesday, November 3, 5:30-8:00 PM
• Session 4, Tuesday, November 10, 5:30-8:00 PM
• Session 5, Tuesday, December 1, 5:30-8:00 PM
• Session 6, Tuesday, January 26, 5:30-8:00 PM
• Session 7, Tuesday, February 2, 5:30-8:00 PM
• Session 8, Tuesday, February 9, 5:30-8:00 PM
• Session 9, Tuesday, February 16, 5:30-8:00 PM
• Session 10, Tuesday, February 23, 5:30-8:00 PM,
• Session 11, Tuesday, March 2, 5:30-8:00 PM
• Session 12, Tuesday, April 6, 5:30-8:00 PM  

APPLY

Applications due October 5, 2026

Questions? Contact info@minndakjcrc.org | 612-338-7816