In its second year at The Kehillah School, the Kesher Fellowship made much progress towards its goals of creating a space where students could build meaningful friendships, strengthen leadership skills, and create a supportive Jewish community across grade levels. When the students were given an opportunity to show up for each other and create meaningful connections and programming they more than rose to the occasion.  

The Kesher Fellowship is a mentorship and leadership program that connects 9th and 10th grade students with older student mentors in 11th and 12th grade and was born out of a collaboration with BeWell and the Jewish Federations of North America, through funding,  curricular and programmatic support. Through monthly lunchtime gatherings, small group conversations, leadership activities, and shared experiences, students build connections that often extend far beyond the meetings themselves.

During the 2025–2026 school year, the fellowship included eight Senior Fellows and eighteen Fellows. Together, they participated in ten lunchtime meetings and two after-school field trips focused on Jewish values, mentorship, leadership development, and community building.

For the first half of the year, The Lead School Counselor, Sarah Lesser, facilitated  the fellowship through activities and discussions centered on leadership, mentorship, and Jewish learning. She developed the educational curriculum and structure of the Fellowship together with the expert help and guidance of Beth Lipschutz, Director of Education and Training at Jewish Federations of North America and BeWell, and Jewish LearningWorks’ Voices for Good Graduate.  In the second part of the year students stepped into leadership roles themselves. Each small group planned one meeting in the spring focused on group building and leadership training activities for the broader fellowship, giving students the opportunity to practice collaboration, communication, and facilitation skills while strengthening relationships within the community.

What emerged over the course of the year was more than just a leadership program. It became a place where students felt safe, supported, and genuinely connected to one another. 

One student reflected that Kesher gave them “a better understanding of myself, how I impact others and how others impact me.” Another shared that they gained “an enlarged sense of community, new friends, and leadership skills.”

The impact of the fellowship was reflected not only in these personal stories, but also in the program’s survey results. 

After participating in Kesher Fellowship:

• 89% of students reported significant improvement in their leadership and mentorship skills
• 84% said they would recommend the fellowship to a friend
• No students responded negatively when asked whether they would recommend the program

These numbers point to something powerful: students are finding confidence, belonging, and connection through Kesher.

Some of the most meaningful growth happened within the fellowship’s small groups.

One Senior Fellow shared the story of a freshman who began the year extremely shy and hesitant to participate. At first, he spoke only when prompted and mostly kept to himself. Over time, however, he gradually became more comfortable opening up. He began sharing stories about his interests, travel plans, and personal experiences. By the end of the year, he was greeting fellow students enthusiastically in the hallways and expressing excitement for upcoming Kesher meetings.

Another Senior Fellow described supporting a younger student who was struggling after a difficult day at school. Through the fellowship’s group chats, students stayed connected outside of meetings and checked in on one another regularly. When Finn shared that he did not feel like attending because of negative interactions with classmates, his mentor encouraged him to come if he felt up to it and reminded him that the group was there to support him. He decided to attend — and by the end of the meeting, his mood had completely shifted. He left feeling more confident, supported, and energized.

Stories like these highlight the true heart of Kesher Fellowship. The program is not simply about leadership workshops or organized meetings. It is about creating a trusted community where students can show up authentically, support one another, and grow together.

Looking ahead to the 2026–2027 school year, the fellowship hopes to continue expanding its impact by welcoming up to 10 Senior Fellows and 15 Fellows. Plans include 12 lunchtime meetings, two off-campus outings, and additional opportunities for Senior Fellows to strengthen their mentorship and leadership skills. As The Kesher Fellowship continues to grow, its mission remains the same: to foster connection, cultivate leadership, and build a strong peer-to-peer support network rooted in community, belonging, and Jewish values.