PARDES EDUCATORS PROGRAM

Program Description

The Pardes Educators Program (PEP) – training excellent day school teachers since 2000 – is a vibrant, innovative, and highly selective two-year teacher training program in Jerusalem that combines intensive text study at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies with a Master of Jewish Education (MJEd) from Hebrew College. This program is designed for future teachers who believe that day school education is their “calling” and who are prepared to make a minimum three-year commitment to teaching Jewish Studies in a day school.

PEP includes rigorous text study in the Pardes Beit Midrash; participation in the Jewish Educators Track (JET); holistic education courses taught by Hebrew College faculty; customized Hebrew language ulpan in small groups with Ulpan Or (year-round and summer); student teaching at Jewish day schools in North America; field experiences and seminars in Israel; professional workshops and mini-courses; a Jewish history seminar; one-on-one mentoring with experienced teaching coaches; career coaching and job placement assistance.

Graduates of this program earn a Master of Jewish Education from Hebrew College; a Certificate in Jewish Day School Education from Hebrew College; and a Certificate of Advanced Jewish Studies from the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies.

Graduates of PEP commit to teaching Jewish studies in a North American Jewish day school for a minimum of three years upon completion of the program.

Other PCJE Educator Training Programs in Israel


Candidates must have: • excellent textual and Hebrew knowledge • an outstanding professional and academic record (minimum BA) • proven experience in formal or experiential education • first-rate interpersonal skills • a personal and professional commitment to teaching Jewish studies in a Jewish day school Participants receive: • two years of Pardes tuition • funded ulpan • subsidized Hebrew College tuition • a generous living stipend of $1200 per month for two academic years • two financed trips to North America for student teaching • ongoing professional development and support after graduation There is no additional financial aid available for this program. Pardes students usually rent apartments in Jerusalem. Pardes provides helpful housing resources to accepted students, including a listserve. Click here for more info about finding housing in Jerusalem.

Ever considered becoming a Jewish educator? Click here to read about the journeys of past and present PCJE students.

For More Information or To Apply

In Israel:

Gail Kirschner

gail@pardes.org.il

+972 2 673 5210

In North America:

Kalie Kelman

kalie@pardes.org

+1 212 447 4333

What Our Students Are Saying About PCJE

In order to teach Jewish text on a college campus, I need to acquire skills for studying Tanach, Philosophy, Hebrew and Halacha. I need to learn how to draw out concepts and insights from text and be able to skillfully illuminate to students the opportunities for richness that engagement with a Jewish life provides. Students should be able to feel connected to the community as a result of exploring their questions through the Jewish canon. College students are most likely to listen to an adult educator who is knowledgeable and passionate about the content of the Jewish canon, and the only way for me to acquire this knowledge is to fully immerse myself in Jewish texts for an extended period of time.

- Leah Kahn, Pardes Experiential Educators Program '13

I have now been in Jerusalem at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies for almost a year. This year I have learned so much inside and outside of the classroom. I have a huge wealth of Jewish text knowledge and Jewish leadership and education skills. I have had the amazing opportunity to look deep into my own practices and beliefs and learn the skills to navigate a lifetime of questioning and faith.

The Pardes Educators Program is really a once in a lifetime opportunity for someone like me. I know that I am in the right place when I read a text and right away lesson plans start filling my head about exciting ways to teach it to my future students. I am always surrounded by teachers and colleagues who are ready and excited to share in my excitement and curiosity. The passion that I am cultivating here along with the solid skills will set me up for a lifetime of inspiring students to truly care about Judaism and personalize their relationships to our collective memory.

- Laura Marder, Pardes Educators Program ’12-‘14