Pardes

Pardes - Day School Education

A Collaboration with the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies

Combine a Master of Jewish Education from Hebrew College with traditional text study at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem to prepare for a career in Jewish day school education. The two-year, pluralistic graduate degree program leads to the following credentials:

Master of Jewish Education (MJEd) from Hebrew College
Certificate in Jewish Day School Education from Hebrew College

Certificate of Advanced Jewish Studies from the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies

If accepted into the Day School Educators Program, you will receive a generous yearly living stipend, two trips to the United States and heavily subsidized tuition provided by a grant from The AVI CHAI Foundation. Upon completion, you will commit to serving as a full-time Judaic studies teacher in a North American day school at the elementary, middle or high school level for at least three years.

Academic Program

The MJEd is granted to those students who successfully complete the Certificate of Advanced Jewish Studies at Pardes during the two-year period, as well as 28 graduate credits earned directly through Hebrew College. The course of study includes the following:

Intensive bet midrash study of Hebrew texts
Jewish education and Jewish studies courses, including online coursework through Hebrew College
Seven-week residency in Boston for an internship and intensive study at Hebrew College (completed in the first year of study)

North American teaching internship (completed in the spring semester of the second year of study)

For those who require additional preparation in Hebrew language, a structured Hebrew preparatory experience at either Hebrew College or Pardes is available.

Faculty

Hebrew College faculty in Jewish studies and Jewish education have extensive experience as teachers, leaders and scholars, preparing students for lifelong careers in day school teaching and all aspects of Jewish education.

Pardes faculty members who teach text courses reflect the ideal of the Pardes Educators Program: teachers who pursue a serious and open exploration of text, as well as an appreciation of diversity in the classroom.

Admissions Requirements

Interested students must apply to both Hebrew College and the Pardes Institute. The admissions departments of both institutions communicate to evaluate student applications. Additionally, the institutions communicate regarding administration and academic and student services.

The following is a general overview of eligibility and admission requirements:

BA with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
Prior intensive study of Jewish texts or one year in a yeshiva program in Israel
Intermediate Hebrew language proficiency
Three academic and professional letters of recommendation
Personal interview
Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

Personal essay

Applicants whose Hebrew and/or text study skills fall below the required level may be required to take a preliminary (Mekhina) year of study at Hebrew College or Pardes.

To learn more, contact Admissions here.

Apply to Hebrew College here.