Melton Blended Jewish Education

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. 

Using the M.A. track offered at the Melton Centre as a strong base, we have developed a blended On-Site and Distance MA Program (non-research intended for students’ resident overseas) in Jewish Education, which 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 integrate on site and distance learning elements and require 40 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 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.

Program Structure

The program consists of 40 credits of which 14 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. One seminar paper must be related to a course taught on site at the university.

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. 

Requirements For Acceptance Are As Follows:
1. A GPA of 3.0 or the equivalent of 80 in an undergraduate degree in Education
or in a relevant Behavioral Science or Liberal Arts major. Candidates with
insufficient background in Jewish Studies and/or Education may be required to
take additional prerequisite courses.
2. Current or past involvement and experience in formal or informal Jewish
education.
3. A letter of recommendation from an educator or educational institution.
4. English Proficiency: Non Native English Speakers require proof of English proficiency. This can be one of the following:

• English Language exemption certificate from academic institution which teaches in English.
• TOEFL certificate (90 points or higher)
• IELTS certificate (7 points or higher).