Campus Commons Application

This is what the application looks like, step by step. Nothing can be filled out or saved on this page — when you’re ready, start your application and your answers will be saved as you go.

Step 1 of 9 — Eligibility

Eligibility

A few quick questions before you begin your Campus Commons application.

Please note:

You must answer “Yes” to both questions to continue with the application.

Will you be enrolled in an undergraduate college or university in North America during the duration of the program? *

Yes

Do you consider yourself to be Jewish? *

Yes

Step 2 of 9 — Basic Info

Basic Information

Tell us who you are and how to reach you.

First Name *

Last Name *

Preferred Name

If different from your first name.

Email Address *

Please include a non-school email if possible.

Alternate Email Address

A second email address, if useful.

Cell Phone *

School / College or University *

The undergraduate college or university you attend.

Estimated Graduation *

Your expected graduation month and year.

Which cohort are you applying for? *

Cohort 4

Cohort 5

Open to either Cohort

Step 3 of 9 — About You

Applicant Information

A little more about you.

Class Year *

Freshman

Sophomore

Junior

Senior

Other

Selecting “Other” adds a required write-in answer.

Date of Birth *

Gender

Man

Woman

Non-binary / another gender identity

Prefer not to say

Campus Address (optional)

Your address at school — leave blank if you live at home.

City

State / Province

Zip / Postal Code

Home Address *

Start typing — we'll suggest matching addresses. You can also enter it manually.

Country

United States

Canada

Other

United States shows a picklist of states and territories; Canada shows Canadian provinces and territories; otherwise a free-text field.

City *

State / Province

Zip / Postal Code

Major / Concentration (optional)

High School

Gap Year (optional)

If you took a gap year or have other non-linear education history, tell us about it here.

Which of the following, if any, best describes how you identify Jewishly?

Orthodox

Modern Orthodox

Conservative

Reform

Culturally Jewish

Reconstructionist

Renewal

Traditional Egalitarian

Other

Selecting “Other” adds a required “Please specify” answer.

How did you hear about Campus Commons? (Select all that apply) *

I was nominated

If selected, you’ll also be asked: Nominator name

A mentor, professor, or other professional referred me

If selected, you’ll also be asked: Referrer name

A Campus Commons alum referred me

If selected, you’ll also be asked: Alum name

A Bronfman Fellowship alum referred me

If selected, you’ll also be asked: Alum name

I learned about Campus Commons at an event or information table

If selected, you’ll also be asked: Which event or program?

A Campus Commons staff member told me about the program

I am a former Bronfman Fellowship applicant

I heard about Campus Commons on social media

If selected, you’ll also be asked: Where on social media?

My campus Hillel told me about Campus Commons

I heard about Campus Commons through another (Non-Hillel) Jewish organization

If selected, you’ll also be asked: Which organization?

Other

If selected, you’ll also be asked: Please specify

Step 4 of 9 — Activities

Applicant Details and Activities

Tell us how you spend your time on and off campus.

Activity 1 *

e.g. Hillel student board — your role and involvement.

Activity 2

Optional.

Activity 3

Optional.

Hobby / Extracurricular 1 *

e.g. intramural soccer, a cappella, pottery — whatever you do outside of class and campus organizations.

Hobby / Extracurricular 2

Optional.

Hobby / Extracurricular 3

Optional.

Step 5 of 9 — Short Answers

Short Answers

Please answer in 150 words or fewer.

Please keep in mind that there are no better or worse responses to these questions — we are simply interested in getting to know you.

Describe your Jewish background, including how you connect to or express your Judaism today. What is one question about Jewish life or community that you are currently exploring or curious about? *

150 words or fewer.

Describe one environment where you see an opportunity to foster greater understanding across differences on campus. Describe the opportunity, your role, and how you hope to apply what you learn through Campus Commons within this context. *

150 words or fewer.

Step 6 of 9 — Video

Video

In two minutes or less, tell us about a time when you had an interaction with someone who had a different perspective, background, or life experience than you. What did you take away from the experience? Please give one specific example.

Record directly in the application using your device’s camera, or upload a video file. Please do not use professional equipment or special effects. Keep editing to a minimum and do not read from a script. Make sure we can hear and see you.

Record or Upload Your Video

Allow camera and microphone access when prompted, or upload a file (up to 100 MB).

Video recording or file upload

Step 7 of 9 — Reference

Reference

Please list one person who knows you well and can speak to your curiosity, openness, and leadership on campus. They should not be a family member.

When you complete this step, this person will receive an email from Campus Commons inviting them to submit a reference on your behalf. Please let them know to expect this email — and encourage them to check their spam folder if they don't see it in their inbox.

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Relationship to you *

e.g. a campus professional, professor, supervisor, coach, or organization leader.

Campus professional

Professor

Supervisor

Coach

Organization leader

Title (optional)

Organization (optional)

Phone (optional)

Step 8 of 9 — Commitments

Program Commitments

A few confirmations before you finish.

Program dates

Cohort 4: Jan. 10–14 | Virtual sessions on Wednesday

Cohort 5: Jan. 14–18 (MLK Weekend) | Virtual sessions on Sunday

Both cohorts include a 5-day retreat and six virtual implementation sessions. Full schedule to come.

I acknowledge the Campus Commons program dates above and, if selected, I commit to participating fully in all program activities, including the five-day in-person retreat and all virtual sessions, and to responding promptly to staff requests for feedback. *

If you have any conflicts with the program dates, please contact Isabel Lunken at Isabel@Bronfman.org by [DATE].

About Shabbat (shown when you choose Cohort 5 or Open to either Cohort)

The Cohort 5 retreat experience will take place during Shabbat. Please see the FAQ for more information, and reach out to Sophia Adler Varon at Sophia@Bronfman.org with any questions.

Financial Equity at Campus Commons

Retreat Travel & Expenses: Travel to and from the retreat, as well as all expenses during the retreat, are fully covered by Campus Commons, with generous support from UJA-Federation of New York.

Travel to NYC: If travel to New York City is needed, we have an assistance fund to support travel expenses.

Additional Support: If you need an accessibility stipend or are interested in applying for one of our paid internships, please let us know.

Please check here to confirm that you read and understand the above. *

Step 9 of 9 — Demographics

Demographic Information

We aspire to learn more about our applicants so we can ensure the diversity and accessibility of our program. We appreciate your answers to the questions on this page, but you have the option of choosing "prefer not to answer" on any question. The information below will not have any bearing on your application.

Which of the following best describes you? (Select all that apply)

African American or Black

American Indian or Alaska Native

Asian or Asian American

Hispanic, Latinx or Spanish Origin

Middle Eastern or North African

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

White

Not listed here or prefer to self-describe

Prefer not to answer

Selecting “Not listed here or prefer to self-describe” adds a self-describe answer.

How would you describe your sexual identity? (Select all that apply)

Asexual

Bisexual

Gay/Lesbian

Heterosexual/Straight

Pansexual

Queer

Questioning

Prefer to self-describe

Prefer not to answer

Selecting “Prefer to self-describe” adds a self-describe answer.

Which of the following most closely reflects your Jewish cultural heritage? (Select all that apply)

Ashkenazi

Israeli

Mizrahi

Persian

Russian or RSJ

Former Soviet Union

Sephardic

Prefer not to answer

Other

Selecting “Other” adds a write-in answer.

Were you or any of your parents born outside of the United States or Canada? (Select all that apply)

Yes, at least one of my parents was born outside of the United States or Canada

Yes, I was born outside of the United States or Canada

No, neither me nor my parents were born outside of the United States or Canada

Prefer not to answer

Which of the following best describes your current financial situation?

Cannot make ends meet

Just managing to make ends meet

Have enough money / Comfortable

Have some extra money

Well-off

Prefer not to answer

To what extent have financial concerns limited your ability to fully participate in college life (academically, socially, or within extracurricular activities)?

Not at all

A little

Quite a bit

A great deal

Prefer not to answer

Which best describes your employment during the academic year?

I do not work

I work fewer than 10 hours per week

I work 10-20 hours per week

I work 20-30 hours per week

I work 30 or more hours per week

Prefer not to answer