Day School Leadership Training Institute (DSLTI)

What is DSLTI?

The Day School Leadership Training Institute (DSLTI) is the premier fellowship for new and aspiring heads of Jewish day schools and yeshivas. Mentors provide engaging experiential learning opportunities, cutting-edge leadership development, ongoing mentoring, and the space to collaboratively problem-solve with a cohort of peers.

DSLTI provides space for new and aspiring heads to bravely face vulnerabilities, go deep into leadership learning, and build professional and personal connections that last a lifetime. Fellows engage in reflective practice and introspection with a trusted cohort of colleagues.

What does the DSLTI Cohort 14 Program Include? 

• Three retreats over two years.
• Two-week residencies during July 2025 and July 2026.
• Weekly coaching by a DSLTI mentor between summer of 2025 and summer of 2027.
• An on-site visit by a mentor including the potential for sessions with Board and professional leadership teams.

Fellowship Highlights 

• Learn together about leadership in a Jewish context.
• Take deep dives into professional literature.
• Learn from experienced heads and professional consultants.
• Build a cohort of trusted colleagues to examine dilemmas of practice, making senior leadership work less lonely.
• Become strategic leaders whose decisions, interactions, and priorities are grounded by the school’s mission and vision.
• Incorporate self-reflection in all areas of their leadership practice.

Who should apply for Cohort 14?  

• New heads of school who have completed 1-3 years as heads but have not had the opportunity to participate in DSLTI.
• Incoming heads of school who will begin their first headship during the summer of 2025.
• Educators and day school administrators who aspire to the headship. Candidates must have supervisory experience.
• Serious, motivated Jewish day school educators who hold leadership positions in their institutions.
• Individuals who are open to learning, demonstrating vulnerability and becoming a better leader.
• Learners who tackle leadership challenges strategically and creatively.

Preference will be given to:

• New heads of school and candidates who aspire to the headship within the coming three years, and are currently in positions of leadership.

Application process:

Applications for DSLTI Cohort 14 are open.

1. Complete the online application.
2. Engage in a 45 minute virtual interview with DSLTI mentors.
3. Receive a letter of acceptance through our rolling admissions process.
4. Contact Cheryl Maayan, Director, with any questions.

Alumni Network

Graduates join a robust and active alumni network of over 200 leaders across North America. DSLTI leaders share a common language about leadership, and continue to work and collaborate with one another long after the program ends. Participants in DSLTI have a strong professional community to encourage continued growth and advancement. A recent survey found that 100% of participants in the alumni network agree that they continue to learn new ideas and concepts, long after the two-year fellowship is complete.

How DSLTI Prepares Inspiring Leaders:

The program is highly interactive, incorporating case studies, simulations, and problem-based learning to help participants develop an advanced leadership style that combines self-reflection with Jewish values. Our program values experimentation and self-reflection, innovation and continual assessment. DSLTI helps educators understand the intersection of their personal Jewish journeys and their professional lives.

Cohort 14 Schedule: 

Orientation Retreat: April 27–29, 2025

Summer Session: July 7–18, 2025

Summer sessions are Monday–Thursday, 8:00 a.m.–4:45 p.m. and Friday, 8:00–11:30 a.m. We do not meet during the interim weekend.

Fall Retreat: October 26–28, 2025

Spring Retreat: April 26–28, 2026

Summer Session: July 6–17, 2026

Cost:

Tuition: $20,000, payable by your institution or the fellow over the two years. If your school requires financial assistance, please set up a meeting with Cheryl Maayan to discuss the procedure. Tuition includes:

• Two years of professional mentoring
• Housing at our in-person experiences including 2 two-week residencies
• All meals during in-person retreats and breakfast, lunch, opening, and closing dinners during summer sessions.

Fellows or their institutions are responsible for the cost of transportation to and from all sessions.

History

DSLTI began in 1998 as a field program of the William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education at The Jewish Theological Seminary. With dedication to enhancing the day school leadership field and enriching the experience of DSLTI participants, JTS and Prizmah forged a partnership in 2023 to strengthen the work of DSLTI. DSLTI is now a joint program of the Jewish Theological Seminary and Prizmah, putting this landmark leadership development program on a path of continued growth and sustainability, positioned to effectively cultivate talent and invest in the next generation of day school leadership. Since the beginning, DSLTI has graduated 13 cohorts, representing 200 prestigious Jewish day school and yeshiva leaders.