Erika Dreifus

Toward the end of each week, the My Machberet blog presents a collection of links, drawn primarily from the world of Jewish books. This week, I’m highlighting current opportunities in the Jewish-writing space.

• The Jewish Federation of Tulsa “is proud to launch the Elson Israel Fellowship taking a leadership role in advancing Israel, Zionism, and Jewish unity….The fellowship will bring Israel’s most innovative thinkers—scholars, visionaries, and advocates—to Tulsa….We are looking for Israeli scholars to commit to a yearlong fellowship, including a one-week residency in Tulsa. During that time, scholars will engage with our community, write original thought pieces on Israel, Zionism, and Jewish Unity, and lead lectures, discussions, and programs. Transportation, housing, and stipends are available to each scholar.” Application deadline: January 31.
• The Hadassah-Brandeis Institute Scholars-in-Residence Program offers “outstanding scholars, writers and artists the opportunity to be in residence at HBI at different points during the year” and “is open to scholars working on any aspect of Jewish women’s and gender studies in order to devote time to their research. Applicants seeking to carry out research that use the Jewish Feminism Collections in Brandeis University’s Archives and Special Collections are encouraged to apply. Residencies take place during the academic year (August – May) and generally range from two months to a full semester. Applications for a full academic year will be considered. HBI welcomes applications for in-person and hybrid residencies. Applicants living outside the U.S. and those whose work has an international dimension are especially encouraged to apply. Award confers a stipend of $5,000/month. “In addition, participants will receive (shared) office space at the Women’s Studies Research Center at Brandeis University and access to all available Brandeis University resources as state and university health policies permit. There is also the possibility to have the support of an undergraduate Research Assistant.” Deadline: February 7. (Note that this opportunity is cross-posted from the latest issue of The Practicing Writer 2.0, a newsletter that features only opportunities that do not charge application/reading fees AND are paying/funded.)
• Also cross-posted within that newsletter: Highlights Foundation Scholarships
  for which applications will be open January 13-February 10. “Since the earliest days of the Highlights Foundation, we’ve offered scholarships for writers and illustrators to attend our workshops….While the program has grown and evolved, its focus on our mission has remained: to positively impact children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire children to become their best selves.” Note that within the list of scholarships there are several explicitly for Jewish creators. Also note: “Travel is not typically included as part of scholarships, though we have restricted funds available to offer on a limited basis during the application window. Ten travel stipends of $500 each will be awarded during this scholarship period, and there is a place on the application to let us know if a travel stipend is helpful.”
• Per their Facebook page, the Jewish Book Council/Paper Brigade is open for fiction submissions until February 12. Note that there is a submission fee ($3) and undisclosed payment for published work. A submission fee also applies for poetry, which is also welcome until Februrary 15; as of this writing, I’ve been unable to determine whether there’s also payment for poetry—to date, comments on the Facebook post would suggest that there is not, but the Submittable page currently suggests that all published work will receive compensation.
• From Writing on the Wall: “We’re now accepting contributions for our next series, Language. Through poetry, art, or storytelling, we invite you to explore the ways language shapes our identities, connects us. Share your perspective and be part of our creative conversation.” Deadline: February 15. No fees to submit; no pay.

Shabbat shalom.