With the shelves of the Beit Midrash overwhelmingly dominated by books and articles written by men, the inaugural cohort of the Jewish Women Scholars’ Writing Fellowship, a new initiative presented in partnership between Sefaria and Maharat and funded in part by the Maimonides Fund launched this week. The fellowship aims to elevate Jewish women’s scholarship by building a cohort of scholars, and providing the skills, support, and resources necessary to produce new content.

An independent selection committee of seasoned Jewish women scholars reviewed 75 applications and ultimately selected 14 leaders. Fellows will benefit from specific training and individualized writing coaching, and will present their 3,000-word pieces at a virtual convening in June.

Each fellow’s writing will be added to the Sefaria library.

Meet the inaugural cohort of Jewish Women Scholars’ Writing Fellows:

Maxine Berman

Rabba Dina Brawer

Rabbi Atara Cohen

Ranana Dine

Rabbanit Goldie Guy

Margo Hughes-Robinson

Dr. Tammy Jacobowitz

Zoe Jick Fertick

Rabbi Sari Laufer

Rabbanit Leah Sarna

Nomi Schneck

Chamutal Shoval

Rabbanit Aliza Sperling

Rabbi Avi Strausberg