Program Overview
The Program Overview
The International M.A. in Jewish Education is the first English-language program at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem delivered in virtual mode, with two-weeks in-person in Israel. It offers academic excellence, flexibility, and a global community for educators seeking advanced professional development.
The program is designed for:
- Formal and informal educators working in Jewish institutions.
- Educators from diverse backgrounds who want access to innovative educational approaches developed in Israel.
The program offers a flexible virtual learning experience, including:
- Asynchronous online coursework throughout the academic year,
- One or two intensive February online sessions held live,
- A two-week in-person summer seminar in Jerusalem.
This international, non-thesis master’s degree welcomes Jewish and non-Jewish educators working across formal and informal frameworks. It explores Jewish education in dialogue with the social sciences and the philosophy of Jewish and Israeli education.
Participants learn from Melton Centre faculty and benefit from the academic resources of the Hebrew University — while studying primarily from their home communities.
Vision & Mission
Our Vision
We believe in the transformative power of Jewish education as a key to the continuity of the Jewish people. We aspire to a pluralistic, innovative, and accessible education that shapes leaders who strengthen their communities and address their challenges. Israel is a fundamental pillar, a source of inspiration, connection, and belonging in our identity.
Our Mission
We strengthen passionate Jewish educators through high-quality training that integrates innovation, accessibility, and a deep connection to Israel. We promote pluralism, leadership, and network-building to ensure the continuity of Jewish education.
Why Study With Us
What We Believe
We believe in the transformative power of Jewish education to strengthen communities worldwide. Our approach blends heritage, philosophical depth, and innovative pedagogy. We are committed to pluralism, dialogue, and collaboration as foundations of meaningful learning. This vision guides everything we do and shapes the educators we train.
A Global Community Connected to Israel
You join an international network of educators who learn from one another and share diverse perspectives. Courses led by Israeli scholars and a two-week seminar in Jerusalem foster a lasting, nuanced relationship with Israel. This experience becomes part of your professional identity. It also broadens your understanding of Jewish life and its global connections.
Legacy, Innovation, Impact.
Our program provides rigorous academic training backed by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. You receive personalized support and practical and innovative tools that expand your professional horizon. Graduates return to their communities with renewed confidence and the ability to lead change. Their work generates real, lasting impact in Jewish education around the world.
Study Tracks
Our program offers three study tracks that allow students to deepen their knowledge and professional skills in line with their interests and career goals. Each track provides a clear academic focus, practical tools, and a strong foundation for educational leadership.
- Culture & Identity Track
-
This track provides a broad introduction to Jewish education through two core areas:
- the philosophy, sociology, and psychology of Jewish education,
- and the teaching of Jewish texts.
Together, they offer a robust framework for understanding the main challenges facing the field today.
Students explore subjects such as Jewish identity, new pedagogical models, the role of classical and modern texts, and the impact of technology on Jewish education. The track equips educators with perspectives and tools that strengthen both their knowledge base and their practice. - Entrepreneurship & Innovation Track
-
The Entrepreneurship & Innovation focus courses in Jewish education, from theory to practice, explore foundational concepts of social entrepreneurship and their application to Jewish education. In addition, strategies for market growth and innovation will be studied in depth.
This track offers courses on the following subjects:
* Basic and advanced social entrepreneurship
* Creative, out-of-the-box thinking
* Fundraising
* Participation in a Social Accelerator facilitated by the Hebrew University Center for Innovation. Students will be required to develop an MVP (minimum viable product) with the potential of establishing an educational startup.
For the detailed course list click here.
Students interested in specializing through this track must commit to taking 12 of the 36 credits in courses of this orientation.
The following comprise the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Focus Courses:
Fall Semester 19.10.2025 – 23.01.2026
Course
Professor
Credits
Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Jewish Education (63014)
Dr. Jonathan Mirvis
4
Required
Intensive Winter Sessions (in-class by Zoom) 01.02.2026 – 26.02.2026
Course
Professor
Credits
Evaluating social and educational programs (63028)
Dr. Yuval Ofec
1
Elective
Innovative Thinking in Education (63032)
Vered Resnick
1
Elective
Innovation in Jewish Education: From Theory to Practice (63024)
Dr. Amnon Dekel/Sharon Levite-Vaknin
2
Required
Summer Semester (In person in Israel) 05.07.2026 – 16.07.2026
Course
Professor
Credits
Practical Fundraising: Case Studies (63025)
Sharon Avis
2
Required
The Educational Tour: Learning in places (63021)
Dr. Hava Schwartz
2
Optional*
Venture Accelerator for Jewish Education (63027)
Dr. Amnon Dekel/Sharon Levite-Vaknin
2
Require
How does it work?
There are 4 required courses totaling 10 credits and 2 electives totaling 2 credits.
The 4 required courses must take place in this sequence:
63014 (fall semester - on line)
63024 (winter - via zoom)
63025 (summer semester - in person)
63027 (summer semester - in person)
Students must choose the 2 electives
63028 (winter - via zoom)
63032 (winter - via zoom)
It is necessary to clarify that orientation courses, except for course 63014, are unsuitable for a seminar paper.
If you have any questions, please contact us.
* Optional course for students in this option.
- Teaching Hebrew as a Second Language in the Diaspora (Specialization)
-
Overview
This specialization is one of the study tracks within the International M.A. in Jewish Education and is taught entirely in Hebrew. It offers comprehensive training in the development of Modern Hebrew and its teaching as an additional language in diaspora contexts.
The specialization is officially recognized by the Hebrew University.
Students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical tools to teach Hebrew in diverse educational and community settings, in Israel and worldwide. The specialization responds to the growing demand for high-quality Hebrew education and supports educators in advancing their professional practice.
Learning Focus
The program combines the study of Hebrew language, culture, and history with innovative pedagogical approaches. It prepares educators to design, implement, and evaluate Hebrew language programs that are relevant, effective, and adapted to different populations.
Objectives
The specialization aims to:
- Strengthen understanding of the role of Hebrew in the development of the Jewish Yishuv and the State of Israel.
- Expand knowledge of the linguistic foundations of Modern Hebrew.
- Introduce key theories of language acquisition, with a focus on Hebrew in diaspora contexts.
Skills and Knowledge
Throughout the program, students develop:
- A solid understanding of the historical and cultural development of Modern Hebrew.
- Familiarity with multilingual and multicultural learning environments.
- Knowledge of language acquisition theories and research methods.
- Pedagogical skills to adapt Hebrew instruction to diverse learners.
- Tools to design, manage, and evaluate Hebrew language programs.
Program Structure
The specialization includes six required courses (12 credits) within the 36-credit degree. Courses are delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning, and all instruction is conducted in Hebrew.
Courses Include
-
Living Hebrew: texts, culture, and values in teaching Hebrew as a second language.
-
The revival of spoken Hebrew, cultural and linguistic aspects.
- Hebrew Language Acquisition Among Children and Youth In the Diaspora - Theory and Practice.
- Linguistic competence in Hebrew as a second language: expression and comprehension in speech and writing.
- Teaching, learning, assessment, and evaluation methods based on CEFR
- From reception to production, from speaking to writing
Admission Requirements
Applicants to this specialization must meet the following criteria:
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum grade of 80
- English proficiency (exempt level)
- Hebrew proficiency (exempt level)
- Experience as a teacher or coordinator of Hebrew learners
