Participating in the Wexner Graduate Fellowship Program is a unique opportunity for leadership growth for those in graduate school programs designed to train them to become Jewish professional leaders. Any eligible person (see below for eligibility requirements) is encouraged to apply.

In addition to financial assistance toward graduate study, fellows become part of a diverse professional community that encourages learning about one’s self as a leader though interactions with others with different points of view.  Fellows engage with expert faculty members in the field of leadership education and expert scholars in Jewish studies. Being part of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship Program extends well beyond the 4-year leadership program. Our extensive alumni network serves as a professional community throughout fellows’ careers.

The Wexner Graduate Fellowship Program was established in 1988 by The Foundation to encourage promising candidates to successfully meet the challenges of professional Jewish leadership in the North American Jewish community. Wexner Graduate Fellowships are awarded to 20 outstanding individuals who seek to prepare themselves through graduate training for careers in THE CANTORATE, JEWISH EDUCATION, JEWISH PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP (formerly Jewish Communal Service), JEWISH STUDIES, AND THE RABBINATE.

In 2005, Leslie and Abigail Wexner launched an exciting philanthropic partnership with William and Karen Davidson through the financial support of Guardian Industries Corp. This new partnership established an annual cohort of 10 Davidson Scholars as part of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship. Owing to this collaboration, 10 fellows in each new fellowship class will be selected in the career areas of Jewish education and Jewish communal leadership. This fully integrated cohort within the fellowship will be designated as Davidson Scholars. *

• Wexner Graduate Fellows pursuing careers in the Rabbinate, Cantorate, Jewish Professional Leadership, and Jewish Education will be awarded $20,000 each year for a two-year term with the possibility to renew for a third year.
  
  
• Wexner Graduate Fellows pursuing careers in Jewish Studies will be expected to secure funding through their graduate programs (generally from the university itself) and will, in addition, receive $5,000 annually from the Foundation.
  
  
• Fellowships are granted for full-time graduate study in qualifying academic programs. They are granted for up to three years. Each year of funding is contingent upon evidence of satisfactory academic achievement and fellowship participation.
  
  
• Fellows will participate in four years of Fellowship-wide Institutes regardless of funding status.  Summer Institutes are normally the third week in August and Winter Institutes are normally the week of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's birthday.  In the third year of the Fellowship fellows will participate in a mid-Fellowship retreat as a class which normally is in the second week of November over Shabbat. Fellows starting the program in 2009 (Class XXII) will also participate in monthly leadership learning conference calls

In addition to financial awards, all Wexner Graduate Fellows are required to participate in Foundation sponsored, interdisciplinary institutes and programs. The purpose of these programs is to build a cohesive community of Fellows while enhancing the leadership skills of each individual Fellow. The Foundation conducts two required institutes for Fellows each year for four years regardless of the length of funding; one in late summer and one in January and a five day retreat over Shabbat in November of the third year of the fellowship. All Fellows are afforded unique opportunities for ongoing interaction with outstanding Jewish leaders and for extensive interchange with each other. Fellows participate in an experience which has proven to be of enduring benefit. Our Fellows receive leadership training, peer support, professional mentoring, and networking across career choices and denominational affiliations, both during school and throughout their lives.

Wexner Graduate Fellowships are granted to exceptional candidates who have a strong personal commitment to the Jewish community, who have demonstrated excellence in academic achievement, and who possess the potential to assume significant professional leadership roles in the North American Jewish Community.

Or Mars is the Director of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship Program. 

Rabbi B. Elka Abrahamson, Vice President, Leadership Programs oversees leadership initiatives of The Wexner Foundation including the Wexner Heritage Program, Wexner Israel Fellowship, and Wexner Graduate Fellowship Program.