Hebrew University’s M.A. in Jewish Education

Hebrew University's M.A. in Education – Blended Learning Master's Program specializing in Jewish Education.

The program is open to young adults, interested in the world of Education and Jewish Education.

The Melton Centre for Jewish Education at Hebrew University offers a unique MA degree in Education with a specialization in Jewish Education. This program is a blended learning experience, which includes two semesters of online courses and an intensive summer semester in Jerusalem. The program is conducted in English and can be completed in a single calendar year. The courses deal comprehensively with the theory and practice of Jewish education at a high academic level and are delivered by scholars from the Melton Centre for Jewish Education, which has been a Centre for research and postgraduate study for over 50 years. This program provides students with the opportunity to obtain an accredited degree from Hebrew University, one of the top hundred universities in the world.

Track One:

 

Track Two:

 

BACKGROUND
With the changing reality of Jewish life in the Diaspora, the Melton Centre for Jewish Education is moving in new directions to adapt to these changes and to offer solutions to strengthen Jewish education in communities abroad. With the M.A. track currently offered at the Melton Centre, we have used this strong base to develop a combined On-Site and Distance MA Program (non-research intended for students’ resident overseas) in Jewish Education, which will is offered to Jewish educators in Jewish communities around the world.  The program is designed for educators in both formal and informal frameworks who are interested in Jewish Education and its dialogue with the Social Sciences, Educational Philosophy, and Jewish and Israel Studies.  Studies will integrate on site and distance learning elements and will require 36 credits for graduation.

The principal advantage of this program is that Jewish educators abroad who, for various reasons are not able to spend a long period in Jerusalem, will have the opportunity to study with Melton Centre faculty and enjoy the unique academic resources of the Hebrew University.  In addition, an accredited  MA degree in Jewish Education from the Hebrew University has a competitive edge over courses offered by other institutes in terms of the academic level and prestige.

THE PROGRAM
Courses in the program are intended to familiarize students with research in Jewish education and to enable the clarification of the goals, methods, practices and challenges involved in transmitting Jewish culture and teaching Jewish and Israel subjects in the Diaspora.

The study program focuses on the following general areas:

• Social Sciences, Jewish Identity, and Informal Education
• Philosophy of Jewish Education
• Contemporary Jewry and Jewish Education
• Study Programs with Jewish Content
• Educational Leadership and Innovation

Program Structure
The program consists of 36 credits of which 10 credits will be offered on site at the Hebrew University and 26 credits will be offered as distance courses.

Participants must submit two seminar papers. The program may approve up to 4 credits taken outside the Jewish Education track either from among other Hebrew University distance courses or from universities recognized for credit by the Hebrew University. Prior approval must be obtained for courses outside the Jewish Education track. 

Program Focuses
The Program has three main focuses: the first one is the Philosophy, the Sociology and the Psychology of Jewish Education and Israel Education.

This focus deals with the great issues in Jewish Education and Israel Education: Who is the educated person and who, the educated Jew? Which are the goals of Jewish Education and how can we adapt them to the issues we face today? What is the role of the Jewish educator, and how can the institution help him? What is the place of Israel in Jewish Education? How must the relations between Jewish School and Israel be?  What is the role of the Zionism in our times?

The second focus is on the teaching of Jewish texts. This focus deals with the teaching of Biblical and Talmudic texts. In the program, a few lecturers will give examples of different texts, how to analyze them in order to give the participant the necessary tools to deal with them and teach them in schools and communities. In the courses, participants will learn about different perspectives, like Philosophy of the Child, Levinas’ ethical perspective, and others. This focus is theoretical and practical, because studies involve both the fundamentals of all perspectives, and practical examples that could be implemented in the field.

The third focus is on leadership and innovation in Jewish Education. In this focus, participants will analyze their own personal vision of Jewish Education as well as their institutional vision. In the program, they will study several theories that will help them to reflect on their own Jewish educational vision. Vision, innovation and Leadership are the three main components of this focus.

Certificate Granted
M.A. Degree in Education from the Hebrew University