The LEAP Fellowship recognizes the pivotal role clergy play—not only as teachers, leaders, and pastoral caregivers, but also in their unique ability to leverage, expand, and popularize the most cutting-edge work emerging from academic Judaic studies. LEAP bridges two domains that have often stood apart in American Jewish life: the rabbinate and the academy.

In “translational science,” cutting-edge medical centers move discoveries from the lab bench to the bedside. Mirroring this model, LEAP unites world-class academics with outstanding rabbis in an unprecedented living laboratory, bringing scholarly knowledge and insights to the lived experiences of the Jewish community. Through LEAP, rabbis deepen and enrich the quality of conversation and leadership across the wider Jewish community.   

Joined by Katz Center academic fellows, LEAP rabbinic fellows meet twice each academic year to explore the Katz Center annual theme. During presentations fellows engage in dialogue, delving into vital questions and debates that have shaped Jewish life for the past 3,000 years and continue to do so today.

The program allows LEAP fellows to bring the academy to their communities and for Katz Center Fellows to have the opportunity to weave the lived Jewish experience of the rabbis and their communities into their research. LEAP fosters a reciprocal partnership, honoring each others’ wisdom and expertise. 

LEAP was founded by Clal’s President, Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, together with Thomas and Elissa Katz, in partnership with the Herbert D. Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at University of Pennsylvania and its dedicated staff. The Katz Center’s residential fellowship program advances innovative, interdisciplinary research across Jewish history, thought, and culture, organized around an annual theme.

The Katz Center’s 2025/2026 theme is:
New Frontiers in Contemporary Jewish Life: Cultural Expansions, Encounters, and Experiments.

Sample topics include:

Ethiopian Jewish Women in Israel, 1968–1975
Presented by Efrat Yerday, American University

From Theory to Practice in the Wake of October 7: Informal Diplomacy and Transnational Advocacy
Presented by Jonathan Dekel-Chen, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

The Semitic Question: How Language Became Religion Became Race
Presented by Mendel Kranz, University of Pennsylvania

Jewish Studies Past, Present, and Future
Presented by Steven Weitzman, The Herbert D. Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies

Polling and the Crooked Timber of Democracy in Israel
Presented by Dahlia Scheindlin, Political Consultant

Disagreement as Ethical Practice in Jewish Life
Hannah Mayne, University of Toronto

Israel-Iran Relations: Contemporary Politics and Challenges
Hussein Banai, Indiana University, Bloomington
Marie Harf, Perry World House, University of Pennsylvania

Holocaust Memory and the Politics of Genocide Prevention
Charlotte Kiechel, University of Pennsylvania