The Dahan Fellowship for Jewish Leadership – endowed by Jackie and Omri (HBS ’01) Dahan, supports Jewish undergraduate and graduate students in pursuing lives of leadership in service of the Jewish people, Israel, and the good of humanity.
Over the course of two academic semesters, Dahan Fellows delve into a curriculum of Torah texts and Jewish history on the theme of leadership. In addition to study sessions, fellows participate in a mentorship program with Jewish leaders. The fellowship culminates with an impact project, where fellows apply lessons learned to a real-world project, manifesting a leadership anchored in and informed by Jewish wisdom and values and infused with Jewish pride.
To apply for the 2024-25 fellowship, please click here.
Jackie and Omri Dahan
Fellowship Benefactors
Omri has spent over 25 years as an operator, advisor and investor in startup companies, in industries ranging from consumer products to health care to consulting to fintech. Most recently, he led the commercial charge at Marqeta, a payments technology venture, from the first dollar of revenue until filing for its IPO in 2021. He earned his B.S. from UC Berkeley and MBA from Harvard Business School in 2001.
Omri feels deeply connected to the Jewish people and committed to the advancement of the State of Israel. Inspired by the unique legacy he received from his father’s family (Moroccan) and his mother’s (Romanian / Lithuanian), he is active in several organizations ranging from AIPAC, outreach to unaffiliated young Jewish professionals, Israel advocacy education for college students and in his own local community.
Jackie was raised in NYC where her deep love for Judaism and Israel were inspired early by her family and her attendance at Jewish day schools. She received her doctorate in Psychology from the Ferkauf Graduate School, Yeshiva University. Jackie has a private practice with a specialty in working with individuals impacted by chronic medical conditions and has been published for her work on trauma and resilience in cancer and more recently on work with patients during the COVID pandemic. Her most important job – being a mom to three middle schoolers – Maya, Jonah and Ezra – keeps her especially invested in the development of young Jewish leaders.
Jackie and Omri are longtime friends of Chabad of Harvard. Omri first met Rabbi Hirschy Zarchi on Lag B’Omer 2001, at the original Chabad House at 38 Banks. Since then, Rabbi Zarchi and Elkie have been dear friends, and the Zarchis have been cherished spiritual mentors to both Omri and Jackie. Rabbi Zarchi was a witness at their wedding in Sonoma, and this past year the Zarchis made the trip to California to celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Maya.
They are deeply grateful for the opportunity to partner in the extraordinary work the Zarchis do every day on behalf of the Jewish people.