|
Description
The Pardes Educators Program, a highly subsidized two-year program in Jerusalem, with advanced studies in Jewish text and education, prepares its graduates to teach in North American Jewish day schools. While studying in Israel, students in the Pardes Educators Program may simultaneously pursue a Master of Jewish Education from the Shoolman Graduate School of Jewish Education of Hebrew College.
The Pardes Educators Program produces teachers who engage young students through a combination of warmth, intellectual growth, critical analysis, and spiritual challenge.
Since its inception in September 2000, the Pardes Educators Program has addressed the growing demand for knowledgeable and passionate day school teachers to strengthen and enhance the full spectrum of Jewish life in North America. Our goal is not just to train more teachers for Jewish day schools, but to raise the level of teaching toward a deeper and more intense knowledge of the classical Jewish texts, a passion for Jewish peoplehood and Jewish life, and an openness to all Jews.
The Pardes Educators Program curriculum includes four components: intensive Beit Midrash study, education courses and professional workshops, teaching internships, and Hebrew ulpan.
Participants receive a generous yearly living stipend, fully subsidized Pardes tuition, heavily subsidized tuition for the optional Master of Jewish Education at Hebrew College, ulpan fees, and travel expenses and housing for the two student teaching internships in North America. Upon completion of the program, graduates are committed to serving as full-time Judaic studies teachers in North American day schools at the elementary/middle/high school levels for at least three years.
 The Pardes Educators Program was developed with and is funded by a grant from The AVI CHAI Foundation.
|
Vision
Pardes produces creative teachers who engage young students through a combination of warmth, intellectual growth, critical analysis and spiritual challenge.
Our graduates reflect excellence in the following areas:
As Learners, they are:
- Comfortable with studying classical Jewish texts in the original.
- Open and intellectually curious.
- Able to integrate traditional and contemporary commentaries and approaches.
- Committed to learning Torah as a life-long pursuit.
- Excited about learning with Jews from diverse backgrounds.
As Identified Jews, they:
- Value diversity as a resource for learning and growth.
- Are committed to Israel as a critical center of Jewish life and identity.
- Are knowledgeable about Jewish practice and tradition.
- Serve as role models of Jewish commitment.
- Possess strong Hebrew skills.
- Recognize the importance of Hebrew as the language of the Jewish people and classical Jewish texts.
As Teachers, they:
- Practice pedagogy reflectively.
- Teach by design, raising essential questions and promoting enduring understandings.
- Appreciate and attend to the diverse learning needs of their students.
- Assume responsibility for their students' success.
- Create a caring community in their classrooms.
- Convey a passion for Jewish text and Jewish learning.
- Use the Havruta model as an essential part of engaging students with Jewish texts.
- Encourage their students to deepen their Jewish connections.
Outstanding Jewish Educators are critical for the future of the Jewish people. We enable these passionate soon-to-be teachers to transform Jewish education - one classroom at a time.
|
