At the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the International Master’s of Education specializing in Jewish Education stands out for its commitment to the professionalization of Jewish educators worldwide. Since its inception, it has promoted the deepening of pedagogical-disciplinary knowledge of Jewish Education, creating an international network of professionals, and strengthening ties between Israel and Jewish communities worldwide.
During its nine years of existence, this Master's degree program has been a vibrant and innovative space. The students – for the most part educators in formal and non-formal Jewish Education frameworks – have put their acquired knowledge into practice, significantly impacting their communities. The distance learning modality has allowed students to continue working while studying, creating a valuable synergy between theory and practice. Additionally, in response to emerging needs, an orientation in Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Field of Jewish Education was recently launched, becoming a space for exchange and creativity.
One of the latest innovations is the Mentoring Project, designed to further strengthen the connection between the Master's degree studies and the demands of the educational field. This project offers students the opportunity to develop an educational project under the tutelage of a mentor, whether at the classroom, institutional, or general level.
Mentoring, in essence, is a space of closeness and guidance that has historically existed between a mentor and his or her mentee. This project implements mentoring on three levels: individual, peer, and group. The project's objectives are clear: to provide students with a space for reflection and educational output, to promote the integration of studies with professional needs, and to contribute to the pedagogical training of participants, especially in instructional design.
The project is developed in several stages. First, in the preparation stage, students plan their participation and set clear objectives. Then, in the presentation stage, an initial online meeting is held where the projects are presented and work guidelines established. From there, students are assigned for three work settings: individual mentoring, work with peers, and group mentoring.
During individual mentoring, students work on their projects with personalized guidance from a mentor, while working with peers encourages the exchange of ideas and experiences. Group mentoring offers a framework for collective reflection and advice.
Finally, in the closing and evaluation stage, a second online meeting is held, during which the developed projects are evaluated and the mentor provides individualized feedback to each participant.
The Mentoring Project in the International Master’s of Jewish Education is an exciting initiative that promotes professional growth and excellence in Jewish education worldwide. By offering a space for collaboration, learning, and innovation, this project reflects the university's ongoing commitment to improving educational quality in Jewish communities.
We believe that the future of the Mentoring Project is very promising. We will continue to work to improve and expand the program, incorporating new ideas and approaches to meet the changing needs of the Jewish educational field. We are confident that it will continue to be an integral part of our Master's degree and an invaluable source of professional growth for our students.
Registration for the 2024-2025 year is now open! Write to us for more information about the Master's degree, the Mentoring Project, our scholarship program, or the experience of studying on the Hebrew University campus in Israel.