Emerging Journalists Programme
We’re looking for writers of all ages and backgrounds keen to kickstart their career in journalism. Featuring masterclasses, expert panels, mentoring and publication opportunities, plus a writing competition with cash prizes, Jewish Renaissance’s Emerging Journalists Programme offers a solid base from which to launch a career in the media. This course will run alongside our Journalism Inside Out series, featuring big name speakers from all aspects of industry.
Hosted in association with Jewish News and the Union of Jewish Students. Sponsored by Dangoor Education.
What is an emerging journalist?
Someone aged 18+ (no upper age bracket) who is interested in journalism, but may have had zero experience so far. Or you may have written for student, local or community publications in print, online or broadcast, but have had fewer than two commissions for national and international outlets.
This online programme is free of charge. It is open to emerging journalists around the world, but all events will be scheduled in UK time (GMT).
Applications for the programme have now closed.
Full programme
masterclasses and talks
Wednesday 1 November – Wednesday 6 December
Our weekly series of masterclasses and talks will cover a range of fields, from news to arts to opinion, across print, broadcast and online journalism, alongside a schedule of public talks with guest speakers. Want to learn how to pitch to managing editors? How to use technology to get your story out there? Or know what it’s like to break some of the biggest news stories worldwide? Join our interactive skills-based masterclasses, which will be followed by public talks with high profile journalists from The Times, The Guardian, BBC, Time Out, Haaretz, Jerusalem Post and more.
Masterclasses 6.30pm • Talks 8pm • Scroll to see a course breakdown.
Writing competition
December 2023 – January 2024
Following our series of masterclasses, participants will have the opportunity to submit an article to an expert panel of judges. The content of the article must have some Jewish relevance, though we welcome submissions from people of all backgrounds. There will be cash prizes, as well as work placements and mentoring opportunities.
Competition opens: Monday 11 December
Submissions deadline: Monday 8 January
Announcement of winners: Monday 5 February
Mentoring
February – June 2024
From February, we will be offering participants who show particular promise the opportunity for one-to-one mentoring sessions with journalists from the BBC, Jewish News and Haaretz, according to their interests.
publication Opportunities
Alongside the mentoring, we will also offer opportunities for emerging journalists to contribute to our blog. Prize-winning articles will be published in JR’s print magazine. There will also be further opportunities to contribute to future issues and for these to be syndicated in the Jewish News and other publications.
Masterclass Details
Wednesday 1 November
Writing to Inform vs Writing to Persuade
What do opinion columnists and investigative journalists do differently? How do you cover the same story for different angles and audiences? In our first masterclass of the series, we’ll explore the answers to these questions and try different writing styles.
Guest speakers: Suzanne Franks (professor of journalism, City University), Alice Robb (contributor, Vogue, Vanity Fair, The New Statesman).
Wednesday 8 November
Arts, Features & Reviews
This masterclass will focus on all things arts and culture, from long-reads to reviews. Learn how best to frame your critiques, from the Jewish News’ Life Magazine Editor and Features Editor.
Guest speakers: Louisa Walters (features editor, Jewish News) and Brigit Grant (supplements editor, Jewish News).
Wednesday 15 November
How to Pitch Your Story
Got a great idea for a story, but not sure how to pitch it to editors? This masterclass will give you the skills to make your pitches pithy and punching.
Guest speaker: Gabriel Pogrund (Whitehall editor, Sunday Times).
Wednesday 22 November
How to Conduct an Interview
A well-researched and conducted interview can bring the best - and worst - out of public figures. In this masterclass you’ll explore the fine art of interviewing, honing your inquisitive skills.
Guest speakers: Sonya Barber (freelance writer and editor, formerly Time Out, Condé Nast Traveller), Richard Ferrer (editor, Jewish News).
Wednesday 29 November
Using Technology for Journalism
Podcasts, vlogging, social media and impromptu vox pops - today’s journalists have to have technology at their fingertips to make an impact. Hear from podcaster Andrew Gold how he turned his production skills into a new career trajectory, and learn how to use tech to enhance your journalism.
Guest speaker: Andrew Gold (presenter of On the Edge with Andrew Gold).
Wednesday 6 December
Jewish Stories for Jewish and Mainstream Audiences
What does it mean to be a Jewish journalist? How do you cover Jewish interest stories in a way that makes them accessible to the mainstream? Interview one of the UK’s best known Jewish journalists to find out more.
Guest speaker: Jonathan Freedland (columnist The Guardian; presenter of The Long View, Politics Weekly America, Unholy).
