Hebrew College has announced a new dual degree program with the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem that will train outstanding future rabbis and educators who are passionate about day school education and leadership.

Set to launch in fall 2019, the six-year program will include a two-year teacher training program in Jerusalem, where students will study in the Pardes Day School Educators Program, followed by four years in Greater Boston at Hebrew College’s Rabbinical School.

“We are very excited about our partnership with Pardes,” said Rabbi Dan Judson, dean of the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College. “Our institutions share much in common, including a deep commitment to text learning alongside a pluralistic outlook. Having students learning in the Pardes Day School Educators Program will be an ideal springboard into rabbinical school, and we believe the combination of institutions will produce rabbis who have a profound impact on the American Jewish landscape.”

Through this joint program, rabbi-educators will complete their education in six years rather than seven. They will earn a master’s of Jewish education and a certificate in Jewish day school education from the Shoolman Graduate School of Jewish Education at Hebrew College, a certificate of advanced Jewish studies from the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies and rabbinic ordination from the Hebrew College Rabbinical School.

“I am delighted that a new cadre of rabbinic leaders will emerge from this innovative Pardes Institute and Hebrew College collaboration with a focus on educational leadership, a deep immersion in Jewish text and an expertise in Jewish day school pedagogy and practice,” said Rabbi Michael Shire, dean of the Shoolman Graduate School of Jewish Education at Hebrew College. “This will raise the bar for teaching in North American Jewish day schools and encourage more talented and inspiring educators to apply for the highly successful Pardes Day School Educators Program in conjunction with the Shoolman Graduate School.”

At Pardes, students will study Jewish texts and ideas, participate in Hebrew language ulpan and take advantage of holistic education courses preparing them to become 21st-century Jewish educators. They will also have access to seminars on Jewish history, spirituality, conflict resolution, Jewish thought and Israel education, as well as one-on-one mentoring, career coaching, job placement assistance and alumni support. Students will participate in student-teaching opportunities at Jewish day schools in North America.

“Pardes is thrilled to expand its longstanding partnership with Hebrew College to include rabbinical students,” said Aviva Golbert, director of the Pardes Center for Jewish Educators. “Pardes’ new joint program with the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College is an incredible opportunity for passionate, invested individuals to become exceptional rabbinic educators.”

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