Pardes Educators Program

Pardes Educators Program - Academics

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Courses

bullet Pardes Institute Courses

The academic portion of the program is known for its rich course load, outstanding faculty, and in-depth text study. Pardes offers all its students over seven levels of learning, with some advanced levels taught in Hebrew. Educators join courses in one of the top three levels according to prior experience with text study, interest and career goals. Exclusive Educators courses include: Pedagogy, Jewish Thought, Jewish History and a Bible Survey course. There are also special workshops, such as Drama in Education, the Use of Technology in the Classroom, and Special Education.

Below is a sample course schedule for Pardes Educators Program. Please see Pardes Course Descriptions for more information.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

8:30 - 11:45 Yr. 1 Talmud
Yr. 2 Talmud or
Intensive Bible Yr. 1 Talmud
Yr. 2 Talmud or
Intensive Bible Yr. 1 Talmud
Yr. 2 Talmud or
Intensive Bible History field trips Professional workshops Yr. 1 Talmud
Yr. 2 Talmud or
Intensive Bible

Noon - 1 Yr. 1 Biblical Hebrew Grammar
Yr. 2 Weekly Torah Portion Survey of Prophets and Writings Yr. 1 Biblical Hebrew Grammar
Yr. 2 Weekly Torah Portion Same as above Greatest Talmudic Passages

2:30 - 5 Bible with Commentaries Education courses Bible with Commentaries Education courses

Hebrew ulpan Rotating: "Great Minds"
(guest speakers)
Yr. 1 Spiritual Seminar
Yr. 2 Teaching Workshops

7:30 - 9:30 Night Seder:
Independent Text Study

The Pardes Educators Program also includes a series of seminars in Jewish History. Jewish holidays are preceded by special sessions which focus on the particular themes, history, Halakhot, and customs of the holiday.

bullet Hebrew Ulpan

Educators generally take one Ulpan course during July or August, as needed, in addition to ongoing Hebrew work during the year. Hebrew study includes grammar, comprehension, Biblical Hebrew, and classroom Hebrew.

bullet Student Teaching

As future teachers in the United States or Canada, it is critical that our graduates be familiar with the culture of Jewish day schools. Therefore, Pardes Educators travel to select schools in North America each year for a month long student teaching internship. During that time, the Pardes Educator shadows an experienced mentor and then assumes responsibility for lesson planning and classroom instruction, under the guidance of that mentor. In order to gain additional classroom experience, students periodically offer classes for children in the Anglo-Jerusalem community or North American students studying in Israel, substitute teach at Pardes, and facilitate informal programs on trips and Shabbatonim. Additional teaching opportunities may be provided to those with little or no teaching experience.

Pardes staff members travel to North America to observe student teaching. They work with each student on issues and challenges encountered during the student teaching experience.

bullet Workshops/Informal Programming

Students periodically have opportunities to meet with outstanding educators and principals from North American Jewish day schools or Israeli institutions. Additional programming includes Educators social get-togethers, Pardes trips, holiday workshops, volunteer work, optional diverse Minyanim and Shabbatonim. A highlight of the Pardes Educators Program is being part of the very special community that is Pardes

b
ullet Faculty

A dedicated team oversees the Pardes Educators Program. While currently living in Jerusalem, all faculty members have had extensive experience in North American Jewish education, primarily as administrators and teachers in day schools. The following professionals work with the Pardes Educators Program on a regular basis:

David I. Bernstein, Ph.D, Dean
Rabbi Zvi Grumet, Instructor of Pedagogy
Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield, Director, Beit Midrash Program for PEP
Dr. Judy Markose, Director, Pardes Educators Program
Dr. Susan Wall, Instructor of Pedagogy and Director, PEP Alumni

The 24 Pardes faculty members who teach text courses reflect the Pardes ideal: teachers who pursue a serious and open exploration of text, and possess an appreciation of diversity in the classroom.

Each student is assigned an advisor who works with him/her throughout the two-year program.

The Pardes Educators Program was developed with and is funded by a grant from The AVI CHAI Foundation.

Hebrew College

bullet Master of Jewish Education from Hebrew College¹

Pardes Educators earn a Masters degree from Hebrew College's Shoolman Graduate School of Jewish Education.

Hebrew College (originally called Boston Hebrew Teachers’ College) was founded in 1921. Hebrew College is located in the hub of Jewish educational innovation, within close proximity to fourteen day schools, including both community and denominational schools. The institution recently moved to a beautiful new campus in Newton Centre, MA and has plans for further expansion. Hebrew College has both a trans-denominational Rabbinical and Cantorial school, and offers bachelor and masters degree programs in Jewish Education and Jewish Studies, as well as numerous certificate programs in related fields. Hebrew College houses NETA, a Hebrew language program for Jewish high schools, funded by The AVI CHAI Foundation. Hebrew College was also instrumental in the creation of the nationwide MEAH adult learning institute.

Hebrew College's Shoolman Graduate School of Jewish Education works with Pardes in admissions, administration, academic and student services. The Hebrew College dimensions of the program provide opportunities for students to explore new approaches to Jewish education, study a range of perspectives on Jewish Studies, and along with the Pardes coursework, to develop the skills and knowledge essential to success in Jewish day school teaching.

The 56-credit master’s degree includes 28 graduate credits that Hebrew College grants to Pardes Educators and 28 graduate credits earned directly through Hebrew College. Courses offered by Hebrew College bridge the worlds of educational theory and practice. Course work is provided through videoconferencing, online learning, in-person courses taught by Hebrew College faculty at Pardes and a one-week intensive institute at the Boston campus immediately preceding student teaching during the first year of the program. Hebrew College’s graduate distance learning program, Hebrew College Online, offers a wide range of courses providing choices for students in course selection based on interests and background.

Hebrew College's many faculty in Jewish Studies and Jewish Education have extensive experience as teachers, leaders and scholars who prepare students for careers in day school teaching and all aspects of Jewish education.

When applying to the Pardes Educators Program, applicants interested in a simultaneious Master of Jewish Education degree may apply to Hebrew College as well. The admissions departments of both institutions work together in evaluating student applications.

¹The Pardes Educators Program is designed to accommodate the needs of each individual. Students who already hold a comparable graduate degree may be exempt from the MA in Jewish Education at Hebrew College. These students would then focus on strengthening their text studies, Hebrew language or pedagogy skills and may choose to audit courses through Hebrew College as appropriate.

bullet Hebrew College Courses

Below is a sample course schedule for the Master of Jewish Education².

FIRST YEAR

FALL SEMESTER
The History of Zionism (videoconference)
Pedagogy I: The Art of Teaching (at Pardes) SPRING SEMESTER
Modern Jews and the Search for Meaning (videoconference)
Behavioral Management in the Inclusive Classroom (videoconference)

Mini-mester (at Hebrew College)
Seminar in Jewish Day School Education
Human Development

Student Teaching Internship

SECOND YEAR

FALL SEMESTER
Proseminar in Jewish Education (videoconference)
Pedagogy II: The Art of Learning (at Pardes) SPRING SEMESTER
Jewish Studies Seminar (online)
Final Curriculum Project (at Pardes)
Student Teaching Internship

² Hebrew College recognizes the two years of study at Pardes as equivalent to Hebrew College credit and grants advanced standing for students in the Pardes Educators Program.