Pardes News
Pardes Institute Opens New Summer Training Program in Jerusalem for Congregational Educators
Special Courses are Designed for Principals, Educational Directors, Teachers and Board Members
Jerusalem, Israel - February 27, 2007 (9 Adar) - The Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies is offering a new program, the Pardes Practicum for Congregational Educators. The three-week Practicum is an innovative program combining traditional Jewish learning with practical applications for congregational supplementary education for children and adults. Participants will join Pardes Summer Session students for interactive text study classes taught by the Pardes faculty, and attend custom workshops run by specialists in the professional development of congregational educators.
Students in the Practicum for Congregational Educators workshops will learn how to plan successful educational, holiday and spiritual programs geared to the unique needs of their institution, and participants will learn how to use their intensive Pardes Jewish studies to raise their organization's educational level. The Practicum workshops will be run by Billy Mencow and Marion Gribetz, leaders in the field of professional and institutional development for congregational and community education, the building of sustainable infrastructures and professional leadership development.
Practicum students will join Pardes Summer Program Session II Jewish Studies courses. The Pardes Summer Program provides Talmud and Torah courses at a range of levels, from beginner to advanced, with no prior knowledge of Hebrew required. Elective courses include Philosophy, History, Jewish Law, Siddur, Scribal Arts and Torah Cantillation (Trope). The program includes five days a week of learning, optional touring, community service and social activities. Practicum students may also register for the concurrent Summer Hebrew Ulpan.
"Professional growth at this level is particularly important to congregational educators, who are working with children for whom an afternoon school is the main inculcator of Jewish identity," explained Marion Gribetz, Managing Director of Gribetz and Mencow Consulting.
"The addition of educational and congregational development experts Marion Gribetz and Billy Mencow allows Pardes to provide an advanced professional program during our intensive three-week program of Jewish studies. We look forward to our partnership with this dynamic team," stated Rabbi David Levin-Kruss, Pardes faculty member and Director of Special Programs.
This program is the third specialized Pardes program for Jewish educators. It joins the groundbreaking Pardes Educators Program, founded in 2000, which prepares graduates to teach in North American day schools, and the Summer Curriculum Workshop which offers intensive preparation for novice day school teachers.
The Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies The Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem offers men and women of all backgrounds the authentic study of classic Jewish texts in the rigorous, challenging and open environment of dynamic Beit Midrash Havruta partner learning. Pardes, founded in 1972, offers a Year Program for university graduates as well as Educators, Summer and Advanced Scholars learning programs. Pardes students who qualify receive support from the Jewish Agency for Israel's MASA - The Gateway to Long-term Israel Programs initiative.