Join The Goldstein Fellowship

The distinguished award for Jewish teens who are going paces.

A Credential Worth Earning

From Candidate to Laureate, the Goldstein Fellowship tracks your growth across high school and rewards it with recognition that lasts a lifetime.

Real Academic Value

Earn up to 6 college credits during your junior and senior years through our accredited partnership with Gratz College.

Proof of Character

In a world of generic extracurriculars, the Goldstein Fellowship shows colleges something rare: a student who committed to something meaningful—and followed through.

A Community behind You

Join peers across 97 cities worldwide who are building their Jewish identity, their résumés, and their futures at the same time.

5 tiers. 4 years. 1 distinction.

The Goldstein Fellowship is structured as a progressive credentialing track. Every milestone you reach earns you a new tier—and a new honor.
Tier 1—Goldstein Candidate
Requirement: One 6-week course

Why have Jews survived when other ancient peoples disappeared? Explore antisemitism, the Holocaust, what being “chosen” means, and what Jewish pride actually means in today’s world.

Tier 2—Goldstein Associate
Requirement: One year of study

Stay engaged for a full year and you advance to Goldstein Associate. You receive a Certificate of Associateship, framable and portfolio-ready.

Tier 3—Goldstein Scholar
Requirement: Two years of study

Two years in, you’ve hit the halfway mark. You’ve demonstrated real commitment. You receive an Advanced Scholarship Certificate recognizing your standing as a serious student of Jewish ethics.

Tier 4—Goldstein Fellow
Requirement: Three years of study

Three years of study earns you the rank of Goldstein Fellow and a walnut plaque with a mounted credential to prove it. 11th- and 12th-graders become eligible to earn up to 3 college credits per year through Gratz College.

Tier 5—Goldstein Laureate
Requirement: Four years of study

This is the highest honor in the program. Complete the full curriculum and you are formally inducted at a community-wide award ceremony. You receive a premium metal plaque and a personalized letter of recommendation from your instructor that stands out on your university applications.

the goldstein laureate

A Credential Worth Earning

A premium metal plaque commemorating your achievement

A formal induction at a public, community-wide award ceremony

A personalized letter of recommendation for college applications

Up to 6 accredited college credits on your transcript

A 4-year record of commitment to Jewish learning, ethics, and identity

what we’re learning

Foundations of Life: Legal Definitions, Ethical Dilemmas, and Personal Growth
2026
Sign up for the course
part 1:
Life on
the Line
You Make the Call

Debate real ethical dilemmas from the news. Should we rescue strangers at personal risk? What about euthanasia? You decide first, then discover what Jewish wisdom says about life-and-death choices.

part 2:
Complicated Me
Understand What Makes You Tick

How well do you know yourself? What makes you... you? Meet the dynamics that shape your inner life and get a deeper understanding of human nature and what it takes to succeed at relationships, beat stress, and achieve happiness.

part 3:
Living Your Dream
Creating a Life Plan for Success

See the values and skills that will not only get you through life but also help you thrive and succeed beyond your wildest imagination. Unpack the building blocks of success.

Upcoming courses

2027-2030
2026-2027
Foundations of Ethics
Sticky Situations
What Can You Do When Ethics Aren’t Easy?

Watch the Torah navigate impossible ethical dilemmas: Should we pay ransom to a terrorist? Should a murderer inherit their victim? When should you refuse a risky surgery? See Jewish ethics in action.

Is It
Legit?
Steering Your Way Through Everyday Ethical Dilemmas

Life’s full of tough choices. Should you cheat to get ahead? Lie to protect someone? Build your personal GPS for navigating right and wrong using Jewish wisdom.

Jewish
Revolutions
Building a Better World

One person can change everything. Explore how Jewish values shape modern causes, such as: social justice, protecting the planet, human freedom, and world peace. What’s your revolution?

2027–2028
Interpersonal Relationships and Moral Living:
Hollywood
Idol
Jewish Values Meet Popular Values

Every movie sends a message about life. Decode Hollywood’s quiet influence on your values and compare pop culture’s wisdom with Jewish teachings.

Love Secrets:
A Jewish Take
Advice from the Most Unlikely Sources

What do movies and social media teach about love and dating? Compare Hollywood’s messages with ancient Jewish wisdom about connection, beauty, and relationships.

OMG!
The Battle Between Faith and Logic

Can you believe in both G-d and science? Explore your biggest questions about faith, logic, and existence. Discover how Torah and modern science actually work together.

2028–2029
Foundations of Life: Legal Definitions, Ethical Dilemmas, and Personal Growth:
Hollywood
Idol
Understand What Makes You Tick

How well do you know yourself? What makes you...you? Meet the dynamics that shape your inner life and get a deeper understanding of human nature and what it takes to succeed at relationships, beat stress, and achieve happiness.

Living Your Dream
Creating a Life Plan for Success

See the values and skills that will not only get you through life but also help you thrive and succeed beyond your wildest imagination. Unpack the building blocks of success.

Life on
the Line
You Make the Call

Debate real ethical dilemmas from the news. Should we rescue strangers at personal risk? What about euthanasia? You decide first, then discover what Jewish wisdom says about life-and-death choices.

2029–2030
Jewish Culture and Identity Course:
Super
Jew
The Miracle of Jewish Survival

Why have Jews survived when other ancient peoples disappeared? Explore antisemitism, the Holocaust, what being “chosen” means, and what Jewish pride actually means in today’s world.

Why I Love
Israel
Hear It for Yourself

Why does everyone have an opinion about Israel? Explore the history, conflicts, and connection between this small country and your Jewish identity.

Myth
Busters
What They Didn’t Tell You in Hebrew School

Talk about Jews with tattoos and other taboos. Do Jews believe in angels? How about heaven and hell? Why is the pig the most non-kosher animal? And speaking of food, where did gefilte fish come from? Discover the truth behind Jewish traditions.

what they’re saying

"

I gained a better understanding of the Jewish view on issues through text readings and group discussions. I was impressed by the supportive environment my peers provided, enabling thoughtful discussion and analysis of major problems in everyday life.”
Daniel Shein
Fellow, age 17, Melbourne, Australia

"

I have learned so much that I will instill into my everyday life.”
Jon Stalk
JLI Teen, age 16, Miami Beach, FL

"

It was engaging and different from any Judaic studies I’ve had in the past.”
Jaclyn Pavlofsky
Fellow, age 14, Cincinnati, OH

"

Our son was very drawn in. I think it was an important experience, as he is at an age when he is rapidly forming beliefs about the world. I would recommend this to all parents with teenagers.”
Debbie Willaman
Goldstein Fellow parent, San Diego, CA
Dedicated to the vision of Mr. Eddie and Mrs. Arlene Goldstein, whose belief in the next generation of Jewish life made everything on this page possible.

Their founding partnership is a testament to their faith that Jewish teens, given the right opportunity, will choose to explore who they are and where they come from; faith that identity, when nurtured at the right moment, becomes something a young person carries for life.

Thanks to their generosity, thousands of teens across dozens of cities will graduate high school with a stronger sense of who they are as Jews—and why it matters.

The Goldstein Fellowship stands as their legacy.

got questions?

Get Answers.
What exactly is the Goldstein Fellowship?
The Goldstein Fellowship is a 4-year credentialing program for Jewish high schoolers. It rewards sustained engagement with Jewish learning through a progressive series of honors, culminating in a prestigious credential, a formal induction ceremony, and a letter of recommendation.
Who is eligible?
Any Jewish teen in high school, regardless of background, denomination, or observance level. The fellowship is designed for all Jewish teens—curious, committed, or anywhere in between.
How do I move through the tiers?
Each tier is unlocked by completing additional years of study through the JLI Teens program. Your local program director will guide you through the path and help you stay on track.
How do I earn college credits?
11th- and 12th-graders who complete a full course year are eligible to earn up to 3 college credits per year through JLI’s partnership with Gratz College—up to 6 credits total.
Do I need to complete all 4 years to benefit?
No. Every tier has its own value. Even completing one year earns you a certificate and puts you on record as a Goldstein Scholar in progress. But the Laureate credential—the full 4-year distinction—is what sets a college application apart.
How do I earn college credit?
11th- and 12th-graders who complete the full 3-part course will receive 3 college credits per year.
Is there a program near me?
The Goldstein Fellowship is active in 97 communities across the U.S., Canada, Australia, Europe, and beyond. Contact us to find your local program.
How much time does this take?
Roughly 2–3 hours per week. Less than most sports. More meaningful than most anything else on your résumé.