Jewish Texts for Educators
A Free Online Course for Jewish Educators
Studying Jewish Texts and Using Them in Educational Settings
- Begin to learn the history of Classical Jewish texts.
- Develop technical skills to read Jewish texts.
- Understand the questions necessary to effectively analyse a text.
- Explore how texts can be applied to contemporary questions.
- Reflect on educational practice and programming.
chinuch.org.uk invites applicants to participate in an exciting, new online programme of learning for Jewish educators. The programme is open to all who are interested in learning about the classical canon of Jewish literature including Bible, Talmud, Midrash and Siddur. The programme will run from Pesach to Shavuot and is a pilot for a series of courses planned for the Jewish year 5772 (September 2011 – July 2012). The programme is designed for participants who are already involved in Jewish education and who can study in a pair with someone else who works as a Jewish educator in the same community or organisation. Therefore, participants should apply in pairs. The course will be ‘semi-asynchronous’ – materials will be released in a sequence over the seven weeks between Pesach and Shavuot, but it is up to participants when they study them and interact. Contact with the tutor will be through audio/visual resources, emails and a discussion forum.
LEVEL OF LEARNING
The level of learning will be beginner to intermediate and, though individuals with a university level of learning about classical Jewish literature will gain a great deal, the target is individuals who can read Hebrew (though not necessarily translate) and have not had the opportunity to study Jewish texts in great detail before.
ABOUT THE TUTOR
The course is taught by Rabbi Neil Janes who is studying for a PhD in the Department for Jewish History and Thought at Haifa University. He has an MA in Jewish Studies and a BA in Education and Psychology.
REQUIREMENTS
- Only pairs of participants, learning together from the same group or community will be accepted.
- Participants will be accepted from any Jewish religious background, though they should be aware that the course is targeted at progressive Jewish communities.
- Participants must commit to interact throughout the duration of the course with other learners online and with the tutor.
- Participants are expected to complete the evaluation form at the end of the course.
- Participants, in pairs, must commit to write a piece of educational programming for sharing with other participants under the auspices of chinuch.org.uk.
