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Pardes Experiential Educators Program
& Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Semikha

Program Description

The Pardes Experiential Educators Program – One-Year Certificate in Jewish Studies is a one-year program designed to enrich the careers of experiential Jewish educators through classical Jewish text study, increased Jewish literacy, professional seminars and active participation in the dynamic and diverse community of Pardes.

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.

Together, Pardes and YCT train outstanding rabbinic leaders for whom Jewish education is their calling. Within this collaborative arrangement, the year at Pardes counts as a mechina year in preparation for rabbinical studies at YCT.

The Pardes Experiential Educators Program – One-Year Certificate in Jewish Studies includes core components of the Pardes Year Program, plus: courses in the pedagogy of experiential Jewish education and applied experiential Jewish education; summer Hebrew language ulpan through Ulpan Or prior to the academic year; educators’ seminars on text and context, and Israel education and pastoral care; mentoring; 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 this joint program earn a Certificate in Jewish Studies from Pardes and Semikha from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. Participants may also earn a Master of Arts in Jewish Education through the Davidson School of the Jewish Theological Seminary.

  1. BA with above-average GPA
  2. Experience with Jewish text study and Hebrew language
  3. Previous professional experience in experiential Jewish education
  • Pardes online application
  • 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

Employment in North America in experiential Jewish education or Jewish professional leadership a minimum of two years upon completion of the program.

The Pardes Experiential Educators Program is completely subsidized. Benefits include:

  • Pardes tuition fully funded for one academic year
  • Ulpan tuition fully funded
  • Living stipend of $800 per month for up to 10 months

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