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Pardes Day School Educators Program
& Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Semikha

Program Description

The Pardes Day School Educators Program (PEP) – training outstanding Jewish studies teachers for day schools since 2000 – is a vibrant and innovative two-year program in Jerusalem that combines intensive text study at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies with a Master of Jewish Education from Hebrew College.

Yeshivat Chovevei Torah (YCT) trains Modern Orthodox rabbis who are leaders of Klal Yisrael, build communities that are inclusive and welcoming, and teach a Torah that motivates and inspires.

The Pardes-YCT Joint Program trains outstanding rabbinic leaders who are passionate about day school teaching and administration. Within this collaborative arrangement, the two years at Pardes count towards one year of rabbinical studies at YCT, making the joint program a five-year rabbinical studies and Masters program instead of a six-year endeavor.

The Pardes Day School Educators Program includes core components of the Pardes Year Program, plus: holistic pedagogical training and education courses preparing teachers for the 21st-century Jewish studies classroom; customized Hebrew language ulpan with Ulpan Or; student teaching at Jewish day schools for one month each year in North America; seminars on text and context, spirituality and Tefilah in Jewish day schools, and Israel education; one-on-one mentoring with expert teaching coaches; career coaching, job placement assistance and alumni support.

The YCT rabbinical school program includes advanced study of Jewish Law, Talmud, Pastoral Counseling and a range of advanced professional training classes and experiences, preparing students to enter Jewish communal leadership as rabbis of synagogues, schools, campuses, camps and health care institutions.

Graduates of PEP+YCT earn a Master of Jewish Education with a Concentration in Jewish Day School Education from Hebrew College, a Certificate of Advanced Jewish Studies from the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, and Semikha from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah.

BA with above-average GPA, advanced experience with Jewish text study and Hebrew language, some experience in teaching or experiential education.

  • Online application (separate Pardes and Hebrew College applications)
  • An official transcript of academic records from all colleges and universities
  • Placement tests for Hebrew language and text levels
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Personal essay
  • Interview
  • YCT application and interview process

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

The Pardes Day School Educators Program is highly subsidized. Benefits include:

  • Pardes tuition fully funded for two academic years (includes all courses, field trips and special programs)
  • Ulpan tuition fully funded
  • Living stipend of $1,200 per month
  • Student teaching in North America each spring, travel and housing expenses funded
  • Hebrew College tuition partially subsidized

The information on this page does not represent a funding guarantee for any current or future PCJE or Pardes student. All accepted PCJE students sign individual contracts with Pardes that confirm program dates, obligations, funding amounts and stipulations for the repayment of funds should program obligations be unmet. Please note that PCJE is not fully funded. As such, PCJE students that receive grants, scholarships or fellowships from other organizations must make reasonable contributions from these funds towards PCJE program costs. In some cases, Pardes coordinates such payments directly with the relevant organizations, institutions or programs; in other cases, the students themselves will need to coordinate these payments. Please address any questions to PCJE staff.

To find out more, contact aviva@pardes.org.il