Tribe 12 Fellowship

mentorship program

ABout the

Mentorship Program

ARE YOU... a Jewish 20-30 something living in the Greater Philadelphia who would love to have someone with life wisdom and professional experience to talk through your plans, decisions or dilemmas?

ARE YOU... a 30+ person with life/professional wisdom to share who'd like to pay it forward and would enjoy a relationship with a younger person trying to figure things out?

THEN CONSIDER JOINING THE TRIBE 12 MENTORSHIP PROGRAM!

Apply Here for Cohort 2

The Program

The Mentorship Program is the next evolution of the Tribe 12 Fellowship. Participants, known as Mentees, are Jewish young adults, 20s/30s, in the Greater Philadelphia area.

The program provides personal, professional and career development through a mentorship experience with Jewish business and community leaders during a 6-month cohort experience.

Please Note: The intent of the Mentorship Program is to help the Mentee navigate their path, it is not meant as a job placement service.

Find More Information About Becoming a Mentor Here

jewish-entrepreneurial-fellowship-tribe-12

Jared as an alum supporting a new Tribe 12 Fellow alongside Tribe 12 Fellowship board member Matt Handel

Important Dates

Cohort 2 Application Dates

Friday, February 6: Application opens for Cohort 2 (May-October 2026), Mentees and Mentors are accepted on a rolling basis using the same application.
Sunday, April 19: Application closes.
April 22, 2026: All selected applicants notified.

Cohort 2 Program Dates

Wednesday, April 29, 2026: Cohort 1 Kickoff Event (required)
Friday, July 17, 2026: Mid-Shabbat
TBD Fall 2026 with Cohort 1: Closing Program
Wednesday’s May 13, June 10, July 8, August 12, September 9, October TBD: Monthly Professional Development Sessions with dinner

All programming takes place at The Weitzman (5th & Market Streets, Philadelphia) unless otherwise noted.

Applications for Cohort 2 are OPEN!
Applications close on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 11:59pm ET.

APPLY

FAQ

Fellowship dates

Mailing list

The Experience

Our alumni tell us over and over again: the power is in the networks. Mentees will have the opportunity to work with their Mentors over the course of 6-months, while benefitting from the collective energy and support of a community.

Each Mentee is matched with a Mentor who is a successful professional in a related field. Mentees also have access to a network of subject matter experts and our 150+ alumni who span every industry and area of expertise.

During the 6-months of the cohort, Mentees will primarily spend time working 1:1 with their Mentors and attending monthly sessions with Jewish business and community leaders speaking on their area of expertise and providing a networking opportunity for the cohort. Additionally, there are built in social events throughout the life of the cohort, including a kickoff event, Shabbat dinner, closing program, and specific Tribe 12 events that are opportunities for the cohort to connect outside of the monthly sessions.

The Mentorship Program costs $72.

The Impact

Our Mentees emerge with concrete takeaways - a toolkit of skills, storytelling, relationship-based engagement, team leadership, overcoming obstacles - as well as an enduring network in Philadelphia and in the greater Jewish community to support them as they continue to grow as people and community leaders.

FAQs

GENERAL

How does Tribe 12 define “who is a Jew”?

It is up to individuals to decide what Jewish means to them, not us. We believe that whether you are born Jewish, you're converting to Judaism, your partner is Jewish, or you're just exploring what Judaism has to offer, there's a place for you at Tribe 12. We honor this by:

1. Never gatekeeping around Jewish authenticity or "enough-ness"
2. Honoring all relationship configurations and family structures
3. Supporting diverse paths into and through Jewish life
4. Respecting different kosher observances, Shabbat practices, and ritual preferences
5. Respecting diverse political affiliations and ideological beliefs

What if I participated in the Tribe 12 Fellowship prior to 2026?

How are you distinguishing between Mentees and Fellows?

Alumni of the Tribe 12 Fellowship from 2026 onward are known as Mentees. A mentee is an individual who receives guidance and support from a more experienced person, known as a mentor. Mentees will primarily work with their Mentors, be a member of a cohort community, and attend optional monthly professional development sessions, as well as optional social cohort experiences.

Alumni of the Fellowship (prior to 2026) are known as Fellows. Fellows came to Tribe 12 with an entrepreneurial or intrapreneurial venture, worked with a coach, and created a capstone project to present to the community. They spent their Fellowship experience working with a curriculum based on Stanford d.school’s Design Thinking Methodology.

Both Fellows and Mentees are considered alumni of the Tribe 12 Fellowship.

Does the Mentorship Program have a Launch Night or similar event?

What are the intended participant outcomes of the Mentorship Program?

Professional Skill Development Outcomes:

Make intentional decisions that are aligned with their Jewish values.
Lead others from the inside out – from a place of strength and balance
Deliver a short, compelling story that captures their personal brand.
Build a personal network of mentors, advocates, sponsors, and supporters.
Develop personal strategies to build resilience and overcome obstacles.
Build and strengthen relationships using emotional intelligence and relationship-based engagement skills.
Communicate effectively through impactful storytelling.
Lead a healthy team towards a shared vision.
Identify and adopt inclusive practices.
Influence others positively through informal leadership practices.

Jewish Engagement Outcomes:

Be more confident to practice ethical leadership based on their Jewish values.
Believe in their own ability to make a difference in the world.
Develop positive, trusting relationships with other Academy fellows.
Be more engaged in a community of Jewish young adults and the larger Jewish community.
Be motivated to step up as a leader to enhance their Jewish community

What happens after I submit my application?

Your application will be carefully reviewed by Tribe 12 staff and the Mentorship Program committee. Applicants will be matched based on the JLeaders algorithm with a Mentee/Mentor, have an introductory conversation with them, and then the Mentee will decide whether to move forward with that Mentor. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and Mentees/Mentors will also be notified on a rolling basis.

What is the history of the Fellowship?

The Tribe 12 Fellowship was founded in 2011 to support entrepreneurs (both business and nonprofit) in Philadelphia’s Jewish community. It launched in partnership with a national organization then known as PresenTense (now UpStart), and its early structure centered around three core elements: a strong design thinking curriculum, a robust mentorship component, and a cohort-based model that supported individuals pursuing their own projects.

In 2016, we experimented with running two simultaneous cohorts: one for entrepreneurs and another for community builders creating smaller gatherings and initiatives. The most successful elements of that community development track were folded into a redesigned curriculum introduced in 2017, which also marked our very amicable transition away from UpStart. From that point forward, the Fellowship served both traditional entrepreneurs and those creating community-focused projects.

Each year since, we’ve continued to refine and update the curriculum to meet the moment. As we approached 2026, we recognized a significant cultural shift: the “hustle culture” of the 2010s no longer reflects how many people want to work. Entrepreneurship is just one of many possible paths, alongside joining established companies, building community initiatives, participating in the creator economy (from influencers to content strategists), and exploring other emerging forms of impact and work.

In response, the Fellowship is evolving once again. We are moving away from a fixed curriculum and toward skill building sessions that are nimble, practical, and shaped in real time by the needs of the individuals. What remains constant are the two other elements at the heart of the program: meaningful one-on-one mentorship and a strong, supportive cohort experience. Fellows will now have four entry points per year to join a cohort, ensuring more flexibility and greater accessibility.

One semantic update: Individuals who participated in the Tribe 12 Fellowship before 2025 will be called Fellows, while those who join from 2026 onward will be called Mentees. Regardless of the terminology, all participants are considered graduates of the Tribe 12 Fellowship and are welcome to use that designation on their resumes and online profiles.

Throughout its history, the Fellowship has embodied one of Tribe 12’s core values: listen and respond. This newest iteration carries that value forward, adapting to the needs, goals, and working styles of today’s emerging leaders.

FOR MENTEES

Who is a mentee?

Jewish young adults, 20s/30s, in the Greater Philadelphia area. A mentee is an individual who receives guidance and support from a more experienced person, known as a mentor. The mentee seeks the mentor’s expertise and insights to enhance their personal or professional development. Mentees typically have less experience or knowledge in a specific domain and rely on their mentors to provide advice, share wisdom, and help them overcome challenges. While mentors offer their guidance and support, mentees actively seek knowledge, apply feedback, and learn from their mentor's experience.

Who is eligible to apply?

Anyone in their 20s and 30s who is in the Greater Philadelphia area and considers themselves part of the Jewish community is invited to apply. Tribe 12 welcomes people who identify as Jewish, whose partner is Jewish, or who are exploring Judaism. Tribe 12 uses an expansive definition of "Jewish" which includes people of all backgrounds and upbringings, all races and ethnicities and all levels of practice or non-practice. We are proud that our 150+ alumni represent a range of gender identities, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, ethnicities and religious backgrounds.

How do Mentors help me as a Mentee?

Mentors promote growth and are excellent guides for personal and professional development.
Mentors are a source of knowledge. Based on their experience, mentors can provide advice on the proper path to success.
Mentors can influence goal setting and play a role in setting personal or professional development goals.
Mentors can support progress and help mentees stay focused on their goals.
Mentors motivate and instill confidence in their mentees. They provide encouragement to keep their mentees motivated. They also support mentees in getting over obstacles that hold them back.
Mentors could help in building professional networks by connecting mentees to experienced individuals.
Mentors are good sounding boards. They can provide unbiased advice by using their knowledge and experience to help the mentee evaluate potential ideas.
Mentors are trusted advisors. Trust is earned and is the core element of the relationships between the mentor and mentee. Trust is a two-way street. In a good relationship where trust is established, information is shared freely and ideas have a better chance in being fully evaluated.
Mentors can offer honest and unbiased feedback. They can identify strengths and weaknesses in a strategy or a plan and offer unbiased and objective remedies.
Mentors can help in setting guidelines to establish focus, purpose or direction.
Mentors can share successes and failures from their own journey and provide examples for the mentee to consider if they are following a similar path.

Mentors are valuable resources who guide mentees toward a meaningful and successful life. A mentor’s only motivation is their mentee’s success.

What’s the difference between a mentor and a coach?

Mentorship is a long-term commitment designed to help an individual navigate their personal and professional journey. A mentor shares their knowledge, skills and experience, to guide a mentee and help them develop and grow on a personal and professional level.

Coaching is a defined engagement to meet a specific need. A coach provides guidance to help an individual reach a defined goal and maximize their potential in a specific area.

Can someone be a Mentee more than once?

What is the content of the monthly sessions?

Can I be considered if I don’t have a leadership or managerial role at work?

Other than applying as a mentee, are there other ways to get involved?

I’m still not sure if the Fellowship is for me. Help!

FOR MENTORS

What is a Mentor?

A mentor is an experienced person who willingly shares their knowledge, skills, and expertise with a mentee. Mentors serve as trusted advisors, providing guidance, encouragement, and constructive feedback. They draw upon their own experiences and expertise in a particular field to support the mentee in making informed decisions, developing new skills, and achieving their goals.
The mentor-mentee relationship is based on mutual trust, respect, and a shared commitment to learning and growth. While mentors offer their guidance and support, mentees actively seek knowledge, apply feedback, and learn from their mentor’s experiences.

Who is eligible to be a mentor?

What can I expect to get out of being a mentor?

Build rapport with a young adult while improving your interpersonal and communication skills
Improve your leadership and management skills
Share and expand your knowledge and learn new perspectives
Expand your network
Feel accomplished and build positive recognition
Add to your resume and get a sense of fulfillment
Participate in a fantastic learning opportunity
Learn new perspectives and increase your confidence

WHY THIS PROGRAM

What’s the value with a mentee-driven mentorship program?

A mentee-driven mentorship program refers to a mentoring approach where the mentee takes an active role in driving their learning and development with the guidance and support of a mentor. This approach has several valuable benefits:

Individualized Learning: A mentee-driven program allows mentees to focus on their specific needs, goals, and interests. They have the freedom to shape the direction of their learning, seeking guidance on areas they feel are most relevant and valuable to their personal and professional growth. This individualized approach can lead to a more tailored and effective learning experience.
Empowerment and Ownership: By placing the mentee in the driver’s seat, a mentee-driven program promotes a sense of ownership and empowerment. Mentees become active participants in their own learning journey, taking responsibility for setting goals, identifying learning opportunities, and driving their progress. This sense of ownership can foster motivation, self-confidence, and a proactive mindset.
Personalized Guidance: While mentors play a crucial role in providing guidance and support, a mentee-driven program recognizes that mentees have unique perspectives, experiences, and learning styles. Mentors can adapt their approach to cater to the specific needs and preferences of each mentee, providing personalized guidance that resonates with them. This personalized support can enhance the mentee’s learning experience and outcomes.
Flexibility and Adaptability: A mentee-driven approach allows for flexibility and adaptability to changing circumstances and evolving goals. As the mentee’s needs and interests evolve over time, they can adjust the focus and direction of their mentoring relationship accordingly. This flexibility enables mentees to explore different areas, seek new challenges, and adapt their learning journey to align with their changing aspirations.
Active Engagement and Reflection: In a mentee-driven program, mentees actively engage in the learning process, seeking knowledge, feedback, and insights from their mentors. This active engagement encourages mentees to reflect on their experiences, articulate their thoughts and ideas, and engage in meaningful discussions with their mentors. This reflective practice promotes deeper learning, critical thinking, and self-awareness.
Mutual Learning and Growth: A mentee-driven program recognizes that mentoring is a two-way street. Mentees can contribute their unique perspectives, ideas, and experiences to the relationship, fostering mutual learning and growth. The mentor also benefits from the mentee’s active involvement, gaining fresh insights, staying connected to emerging trends, and broadening their own knowledge and skills.

Overall, a mentee-driven mentorship program empowers mentees to take control of their learning, tailors the mentoring experience to their specific needs, and promotes active engagement and personal growth. It recognizes the mentee as an active participant in the relationship, unlocking their potential and fostering a sense of ownership over their development.

What is the value of the mentor and mentee communities?

Tribe 12 is facilitating mentor and mentee communities that provide a platform for socializing, creating new connections, sharing experiences and discussing topics of common interest and concern. The community strengthens the bond between participants, provides a learning platform for special interest groups and for exploring the history of mentorship in the Jewish culture. Together we evaluate the impact, efficiency and quality of the program and explore new avenues to interact and make an impact.

Mentees have access to multiple communities: their cohort, Fellowship alumni, and every Tribe that exists or may exist in the future.

How do we match mentorship pairs?

Tribe 12 uses a J Leaders-developed and proprietary algorithm in determining optimal matches that as closely as possible aligns the interests, expertise, and goals of both the mentee and mentor. Before match pairs are finalized, we will ask the pair to hold a short initial exploratory meeting to meet their mentorship partner and determine if they want to move forward with this match. In the event that either the mentee and mentor do not want to move forward with this match, another match might be possible.

What’s the connection between mentorship and Judaism?

The J Leaders that the Mentorship Program is modeled after was founded on the principle of “Impactful Leadership Development Illuminated by Jewish Wisdom”. While this mentorship program is not intended to be religious in nature, it is fundamentally based on the importance of using Jewish values and wisdom as guiding lights to living a successful and ethical life. Mentors are encouraged to bring in Jewish ethics as appropriate in support of the mentorship relationship.

What does “illuminated by Jewish wisdom” mean?

Jewish wisdom provides insights and timeless principles that can guide personal growth, ethical decision-making, and pursuit of meaningful leadership roles. Throughout the Mentorship Program, we explore topics such as ethical leadership, emotional intelligence, community building, effective communications, and building high performing teams. By integrating Jewish wisdom with practical leadership skills, we aim to empower our fellows to become compassionate, insightful, and impactful leaders in their communities and beyond. However you define and express your Jewish identity, you are welcome.