Alexander Jewish Leadership Institute
AJLI is a first of its kind initiative to expand upon the leadership development model proven successful for professionals and lay leadership in the Jewish world and constructed specifically to champion Columbia and Barnard student leaders.
Cohort 6 of AJLI is composed of 20 rising juniors and seniors who are spending their year exploring key issues facing the Jewish world today, and considering how they hope to address those issues in their own communities. They meet weekly as a cohort with thought leaders and educators in the Jewish community and beyond; develop and execute Individual Learning Projects (ILP), and will spend a week of winter break exploring challenges and opportunities of Jewish life in a Jewish community abroad. The AJLI year begins with a full-day retreat in September and concludes with an end-of-year dinner in April.
Applications for Cohort 7 of AJLI, which will take place during the ‘27-’28 academic year, will open in spring 2027. Rising juniors and seniors who will be spending the full ’27-28 academic year on campus (i.e. are not planning to study abroad) and identify as Jewish will be eligible to apply. Rising seniors who are graduating in the winter may apply if they plan to be local and able to fully participate during the spring semester. Applicants will be notified about their candidacy and invited to interview after final exams.
Questions? Email Navah Kogen, navah@hillel.columbia.edu, Senior Director of Student Life
