Ruskay Institute

Ruskay Fellows are professionals whose work history indicates:

• Their dedication to working on behalf of the Jewish community 
• A record of accomplishment and capacity for growth in leadership  
• Current professional employment at a Jewish nonprofit in New York City, Long Island, or Westchester
• Approximately 4-9 years of full-time work experience
• Readiness to participate fully in an intensive cohort experience

Is this you or someone you know?  Nominate yourself or a colleague before April 2, 2025!

Meet the previous Ruskay Fellows: Cohort 1, Cohort 2, Cohort 3, Cohort 4, Cohort 5.

The Ruskay Institute for Jewish Professional Leadership’s curriculum is designed around three pillars:

I. Leading With Purpose: Developing and Articulating a Vision to Inspire Others
II. Leading Through Influence: Strategies for Impact
III. Leading with a Nuanced Understanding of Jewish Communal Context

Every Ruskay Fellowship experience features:

• Transformative learning experiences with expert faculty
• Leadership assessments
• Professional coaching
• Engagement with outstanding leaders
• Time for reflection and practice
• A network of diverse colleagues
• Strategies and tools to inspire collaboration, creativity, and authentic leadership

Cohort 6 Schedule:

• Welcome reception and orientation: September 16, 2025
• Two immersive retreats: November 10-14, 2025 + May 5-7, 2026
• Monthly single-day sessions: October 21, Dec 4, Jan 14, Feb 5, March 12, April 16, June 2
• Six professional coaching sessions
• Ongoing communication with peers between sessions 

The Institute has a three-stage selection process. 

Stage 1: NOMINATION

• Self-nomination: Professionals may indicate their own interest by submitting a self-nomination and contact information for a professional reference.
• Nominating others: Candidates may be nominated by a supervisor, mentor, colleague, executive director, lay leader, or Ruskay alum.

Nominations for Cohort 6 are open until April 2, 2025! Click here to nominate yourself or a colleague today.

To better reflect the full diversity of the Jewish community, we encourage nominations that include individuals historically underrepresented in Jewish leadership.

Stage 2: APPLICATION
Selected nominees will be invited to complete an application.

Stage 3: INTERVIEW
Selected applicants will be invited to an interview.

Finalists must submit our letter of support form signed by their supervisor and CEO or Executive Director. The Fellowship is almost fully subsidized. Sponsoring agencies pay $1,000 per Fellow. If the fee affects your agency’s ability to nominate a candidate, please contact us to explore an alternate arrangement.

The Ruskay Institute honors John Ruskay’s visionary leadership and commitment to professional development. The program is funded by an endowment created by friends and colleagues of John Ruskay upon his retirement after 15 years as executive vice president and CEO of UJA-Federation of New York.