The course focuses on fundamental questions concerning the revival of Hebrew speech at the turn of the 19th century through the first half of the 20th century. For example: Was Hebrew a dead language? Is the revival of Modern Hebrew a creation of a new language? What are the unique linguistic characteristics of Modern Hebrew speech?

Credits: 2

Mode: Frontal

Dr. Miri Bar-Ziv Levy

The course will survey the historical, social and political setting within which Jewish education is conducted in the contemporary Jewish world. It will examine the different ways in which Jewish communities are organized and the impact of the structure of the surrounding societies on Jewish life and education. The course will relate to how demographic trends influence the prospects of Jewish educational institutions. The course will also look at the impact of diverse Jewish ideologies and their educational expression.

Credits: 2

Mode: Online 

Dr. David Mendelson / Dr. Yossi Goldstein

The course will examine some of the central philosophical issues to be considered in the context of the practice of Jewish education. These include consideration of what can be learned from the classical sources of education such as the Bible and Talmud. What relationship between teacher and student is presumed in these sources? Is education a matter of training or of intellectual development? What place is given to individual creativity in the process of initiation into the tradition? Similar questions are asked in the light of Medieval Jewish philosophy. An attempt will be made to uncover the educational philosophy implied by more modern movements in Jewish education, including Hassidism and the Musar movement.

Credits: 2

Mode: Online

Dr. Michael Gillis

In many forms of Jewish education the study of classical Jewish texts, the Bible, Rabbinic literature and central texts of Jewish thought are central to the curriculum. The course will examine the theoretical and practical questions that arise in the attempt to make these texts accessible to teachers and, through them, to students. The course will include a study of curriculum theory, approaches to evaluating curriculum and a review of sample curricula. The course will also examine the ways in which Jewish scholarship can be made a resource for curriculum and the teaching of texts.

Credits: 4

Mode: Online 

Dr. Howard Deitcher

It is our premise that Jewish Education operates in a competitive field. We compete for the attention of potential students, for valuable resources and funding. These issues lie at the heart of social entrepreneurship.

This course focuses on the growing field of social entrepreneurship and its application to Jewish Education. Students will be introduced to primary concepts, paradigms and literature in the field enabling them to grapple with the aforementioned challenges.

Credits: 4

Mode: Online 

Dr. Jonathan Mirvis