Digital storytellers lab
A project of Maimonides Fund
The Digital Storytellers Lab is a year-long fellowship for visionary creators developing bold, original, Jewish-themed projects for digital platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, podcasts, webtoons and games. Fellows receive up to $25,000 in project support, personalized mentorship, hands-on technical guidance, and access to a thriving creative community.
Through immersive gatherings in Los Angeles, New York, and Israel, plus monthly virtual sessions, fellows develop and produce their own Jewish stories, while building skills, networks, and standout digital content. They collaborate with peers, connect with leading media professionals, and strengthen their creative voices in a supportive, Jewish-rooted environment.
Apply
The Digital Storytellers Lab is a yearlong fellowship that gives storytellers the opportunity to develop, launch and grow projects exploring Jewish themes for new media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, podcast networks and game platforms. The cohort-based program provides fellows with creative community, mentorship, technical expertise and funding to support their work. We have graduated two cohorts so far; read about our fellows here.
Applications for our third cohort are now closed. Join our mailing list to stay informed about future opportunities.
2025–2026
Timeline & Info
The 2025-26 program is currently underway. Sign up for our mailing list to stay apprised of the timeline for the next round of programming.
May 23, 2025: Application Deadline
End of July, 2025: Cohort Announcement
End of August. 2025: Kickoff Virtual Gathering
September 14–17, 2025: LA Seminar
October 2025 – January 2026: Monthly Zoom Gatherings
February 3–10, 2026: Israel Seminar
March – June 2026: Monthly Zoom Gatherings
Mid/Late June 2026: NYC Seminar + Showcase (Date to be Confirmed)
July 31, 2026: Official Conclusion of Program
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
Advisory Board
Author, Storyteller + Creative Director
Corey Rosen is a writer, actor, visual effects producer, and storytelling teacher based in San Francisco, California. He hosts The Moth Story…
Corey Rosen is the author of “A Story for Everything: Mastering Diverse Storytelling for Any Occasion...
Director of Events and Donor Recognition at JDC
Executive Producer & Multimedia Consultant
Estee is an award-winning, Emmy-nominated supervising producer with extensive experience creating impactful, mission-driven multimedia projects for Sesame Workshop around the world…
Bardanashvili is an award-winning multimedia supervising producer and event strategist, currently overseeing events and donor recognition at JDC.
Business Development & Content Partnerships, YouTube
Jason Cosgrove is a digital media executive at Google, sitting on YouTube’s Content Partnerships team where he looks after YouTube’s business…
Partner/Producer, Crystal City Entertainment
Jonathan Rubenstein is a partner/producer at Crystal City Entertainment; having financed and produced such films as The Ides of March…
Senior Rabbi, Sinai Temple, Los Angeles
Named The Most Influential Rabbi in America by Newsweek and one of the 50 Most Influential Jews in the World by The Jerusalem…
Columbia University
Jeremy Dauber is the Atran Professor of Yiddish Language, Literature and Culture and director of Columbia's Institute of Israel and Jewish Studies; he also teaches in American studies. He is the…
VP, Strategic Impact, PRX
Gina James serves as a collaborative partner to PRX’s leadership team to advance the organization’s strategic vision across departments...
Producer, Director, Filmmaker and Strategist
Liz Nord is an Emmy-winning multi-platform producer, documentarian and content specialist who has created and shown work across the globe...
Sinclair Broadcast Group
Megan Westerby is an expert in entertainment audience building with a focus on expanding digital audiences. Her approach to identifying, mapping, and ...
Staff
Program Director
Creative Director
Lead Podcast Mentor
2025 Fellowship Recipients
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
Alan
Niku
The Dreamy Kalimi
The Jews of Iran are one of the most important communities of Jews, with the least amount of widely available information about them. A series of…
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABAlan
Niku
The Dreamy Kalimi
The Jews of Iran are one of the most important communities of Jews, with the least amount of widely available information about them. A series of…
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
Frieda
Vizel
#FoodFridays and Other Shorts
I am passionate about sharing the culture and values of the Hasidic community in a way that educates and fosters tolerance…
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABFrieda
Vizel
#FoodFridays and Other Shorts
I am passionate about sharing the culture and values of the Hasidic community in a way that educates and fosters tolerance…
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
Jeremy
Shuback
The Erased Jewish Messiah
In 1666, the majority of Jews believed the Messiah had come, but when he had a sudden embarrassing downfall, nearly…
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABJeremy
Shuback
The Erased Jewish Messiah
In 1666, the majority of Jews believed the Messiah had come, but when he had a sudden embarrassing downfall, nearly…
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
Miriam
Anzovin
Jewish Folklore Reactions
Jewish Folklore Reactions is a fresh, modern, meta retelling of Midrash, folktales, and legends, designed to meet Millennial and…
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABMiriam
Anzovin
Jewish Folklore Reactions
Jewish Folklore Reactions is a fresh, modern, meta retelling of Midrash, folktales, and legends, designed to meet Millennial and…
2025 Fellowship Recipients
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABMessy Essie
Messy Essie follows Essie, coder by day and secret influencer by night, as she navigates the word of fame vs...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
Monty Pickle
Monty Pickle is a kosher dill pickle puppet who's Jewish, but doesn't know what that means. In the Monty Pickle...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABMonty Pickle
Monty Pickle is a kosher dill pickle puppet who's Jewish, but doesn't know what that means. In the Monty Pickle...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
Schmoozing with the Schmalenbergs
Follow the fun and spunky family life of the Schmalenbergs, think of Shtissel meets Seinfeld. Each episode delves into the...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABSchmoozing with the Schmalenbergs
Follow the fun and spunky family life of the Schmalenbergs, think of Shtissel meets Seinfeld. Each episode delves into the...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
Sephardic Culture + the Ladino Language
A vibrant social media series sharing new Ladino songs, community memory, and cultural insights from the Sephardi diaspora, bridging personal...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABSephardic Culture + the Ladino Language
A vibrant social media series sharing new Ladino songs, community memory, and cultural insights from the Sephardi diaspora, bridging personal...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
נודע בגורה Noyde ba-Goyre ("Revealed in Exile")
A collaborative musical project that brings Yiddish poetry and stories into vibrant, contemporary life—creating a living thread between generations and...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABנודע בגורה Noyde ba-Goyre ("Revealed in Exile")
A collaborative musical project that brings Yiddish poetry and stories into vibrant, contemporary life—creating a living thread between generations and...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
America's Chosen Spirit
America’s Chosen Spirit is a serial, historical-fiction webcomic about untold backstories of women, Jews, Blacks, and other minorities who shaped...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABAmerica's Chosen Spirit
America’s Chosen Spirit is a serial, historical-fiction webcomic about untold backstories of women, Jews, Blacks, and other minorities who shaped...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
The Queens of Negev
What if The Prince of Egypt finally got its long-overdue sequel… but this time, pop divas took over the soundtrack,...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABThe Queens of Negev
What if The Prince of Egypt finally got its long-overdue sequel… but this time, pop divas took over the soundtrack,...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
Bukharian Bites
Bukharian Bites is a short-form digital series that brings forgotten Bukharian Jewish recipes back to life through emotionally driven voiceovers,...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABBukharian Bites
Bukharian Bites is a short-form digital series that brings forgotten Bukharian Jewish recipes back to life through emotionally driven voiceovers,...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
Breaking News: The Daily Brine
Breaking News: The Daily Brine will be a biweekly series of 1-to-2-minute comedic videos about Jewish and Israeli culture and...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABBreaking News: The Daily Brine
Breaking News: The Daily Brine will be a biweekly series of 1-to-2-minute comedic videos about Jewish and Israeli culture and...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
Missing from Skokie
I was always told my uncle's death was a tragic accident. But when new information came to light during COVID,...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABMissing from Skokie
I was always told my uncle's death was a tragic accident. But when new information came to light during COVID,...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
The Last Flight Out
An 89-year-old Iranian Jewish refugee boards a flight with 17 others fleeing religious persecution—just three days before the United States...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABThe Last Flight Out
An 89-year-old Iranian Jewish refugee boards a flight with 17 others fleeing religious persecution—just three days before the United States...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
Strange Land (Genesis 15:13)
Milton Steinberg’s 1939 novel, “As a Driven Leaf”, recounts the adventures of Elisha Ben Abuya, once an up-and-coming Jewish intellectual...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABStrange Land (Genesis 15:13)
Milton Steinberg’s 1939 novel, “As a Driven Leaf”, recounts the adventures of Elisha Ben Abuya, once an up-and-coming Jewish intellectual...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
Where We Meet
Where We Meet is a short-form docu-series that follows the unlikely friendship and creative partnership between a Black Christian educator...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABWhere We Meet
Where We Meet is a short-form docu-series that follows the unlikely friendship and creative partnership between a Black Christian educator...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
The Ladino Adventures of Luna Sansolo
When 11-year-old Luna Sansolo finds a mysterious letter written in Ladino in her Nona’s attic, her boring summer takes a...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABThe Ladino Adventures of Luna Sansolo
When 11-year-old Luna Sansolo finds a mysterious letter written in Ladino in her Nona’s attic, her boring summer takes a...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
Shaloha
Amidst the upheaval of his parents' divorce on Maui, a quirky teenager must navigate the unfamiliar terrain of adolescence through...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABShaloha
Amidst the upheaval of his parents' divorce on Maui, a quirky teenager must navigate the unfamiliar terrain of adolescence through...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
Quarter Notes
An episode-by-episode podcast about the different Jewish quarters in Europe--what they were, what they turned into--including historical information, extensively researched...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABQuarter Notes
An episode-by-episode podcast about the different Jewish quarters in Europe--what they were, what they turned into--including historical information, extensively researched...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
Bridging Communities with the Sounds of Jewish Music
A short form video series exploring the rich, diverse sounds of Jewish music—from Yiddish and Ladino to Klezmer, Mizrahi, classical,...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABBridging Communities with the Sounds of Jewish Music
A short form video series exploring the rich, diverse sounds of Jewish music—from Yiddish and Ladino to Klezmer, Mizrahi, classical,...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
The Beverly Podcast
The Beverly Show is a weekly 30–40-minute take on current events from everyone’s favorite Jewish mother, BEVERLY GINSBERG! Whether this...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABThe Beverly Podcast
The Beverly Show is a weekly 30–40-minute take on current events from everyone’s favorite Jewish mother, BEVERLY GINSBERG! Whether this...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
Messy Essie
Messy Essie follows Essie, coder by day and secret influencer by night, as she navigates the word of fame vs...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABMessy Essie
Messy Essie follows Essie, coder by day and secret influencer by night, as she navigates the word of fame vs...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
Monty Pickle
Monty Pickle is a kosher dill pickle puppet who's Jewish, but doesn't know what that means. In the Monty Pickle...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABMonty Pickle
Monty Pickle is a kosher dill pickle puppet who's Jewish, but doesn't know what that means. In the Monty Pickle...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
Schmoozing with the Schmalenbergs
Follow the fun and spunky family life of the Schmalenbergs, think of Shtissel meets Seinfeld. Each episode delves into the...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABSchmoozing with the Schmalenbergs
Follow the fun and spunky family life of the Schmalenbergs, think of Shtissel meets Seinfeld. Each episode delves into the...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
Sephardic Culture + the Ladino Language
A vibrant social media series sharing new Ladino songs, community memory, and cultural insights from the Sephardi diaspora, bridging personal...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABSephardic Culture + the Ladino Language
A vibrant social media series sharing new Ladino songs, community memory, and cultural insights from the Sephardi diaspora, bridging personal...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LAB
Monty Pickle
Monty Pickle is a kosher dill pickle puppet who's Jewish, but doesn't know what that means. In the Monty Pickle...
DIGITAL STORYTELLERS LABMonty Pickle
Monty Pickle is a kosher dill pickle puppet who's Jewish, but doesn't know what that means. In the Monty Pickle...
Apply
The Digital Storytellers Lab is a yearlong fellowship that gives storytellers the opportunity to develop, launch and grow projects exploring Jewish themes for new media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, podcast networks and game platforms. The cohort-based program provides fellows with creative community, mentorship, technical expertise and funding to support their work. We have graduated two cohorts so far; read about our fellows here.
Benefits for Fellows
- 18 peers in a tightly woven cohort built to support each other through feedback circles, co-working and social time
- Up to $25k in project support. (All fellows will receive $18,000 in funding, contingent on meeting project deliverables and goals. Projects with larger production and marketing budgets can apply for additional funding at the midpoint of the fellowship year.)
- Three mandatory in-person gatherings, in LA, New York, and Israel, to learn and network with local experts, with your cohort, and with our sister cohort, the Screenwriters Lab — another fellowship cohort of the Jewish Writers Institute
- Meaningful Jewish learning experiences in a creative community
- Expert technical and scholarly consulting support for projects
- Mentorship from experts in digital media and storytelling
- Monthly virtual cohort meetings organized around Jewish learning and digital media trainings
Who We're Looking For
We are looking to support and convene creators with ideas for social media series, podcasts, games, webtoons and so on that illuminate Jewish narratives and tell new Jewish stories. As a Jewish Writers Institute program, we gravitate towards projects that feel written or crafted; we are less excited about interview shows as a format but generally welcome unique takes on any genre. Our ideal applicants fall into one of these categories:
- Jewish content creators who are out there now, doing the work, and want to up their game
- Creators in any niche (food, science, fashion, true crime, health and wellness, etc) who want to produce a Jewish-themed series for an existing channel, or to launch on a new subchannel
- Jewish subject matter experts who want to extend their work and their reach onto digital platforms. Perhaps you are a scientist, musicologist, fine artist, performer, athlete, travel writer, historian — this is a special opportunity for you to take your insights and bring them to a digital media platform with support from our team.
Qualifications
This is not an age-based cohort and we truly welcome 21+ applicants at every stage of their careers, provided that you have the media and content know-how – with appropriate support – to carry out your project. Applicants must
Reside in North America
- Demonstrate competency in media production and/or your subject matter expertise
- Be available to attend all fellowship convenings and online meetings (all travel is paid for) – key dates below
- Be action-oriented – fellows are expected to not only develop but regularly post content to their projects while in the fellowship
- Work independently on a widely available A/V digital media platform, such as Youtube, Instagram, Tiktok, podcasting, Webtoon, Itch.io, etc.
- Plan an English-language, or bilingual project
We’re not looking for...
For this program, we are not interested in pitches for full-length TV shows, festival short films or feature-length films – even if you intend to put them on a digital platform as part of your process. Pitches should not mention film festivals, Netflix, Hulu and so on and we will not read applications of this nature. If that is your jam, you may want to apply to the Screenwriters Lab.