Certificate in Jewish Family Education

Among the most promising innovations in Jewish education, family education aims to build a broader, more cohesive and more literate Jewish community in which the family assumes a central role in providing Jewish experience, growth and learning. Family educators engage all generations in open inquiry into Judaism, its meaning and relevance to their own existence.

Students may elect to specialize in family education as part of the program leading to a Master of Jewish Education or work toward a CERTIFICATE IN JEWISH FAMILY EDUCATION. The certificate requires 21 credits and may be completed in two years.

Course work focuses on the analysis and interpretation of Jewish sources, and approaches to teaching sources in an adult setting. In particular, students consider how these sources resonate with
contemporary challenges and issues encountered by Jewish families.

Students also become conversant in the foundations and practice of family education—theoretical models and the history of the field—as well as the skills necessary for conducting effective family education. Disciplines include human development, family systems and family dynamics, organizational behavior and change, evaluation and needs assessment.

Credits earned toward the CERTIFICATE IN JEWISH FAMILY EDUCATION may be applied toward the Master of Jewish Education, by approval of the Dean of the Shoolman Graduate School of Jewish Education. Additional application materials will be required for admission to the master's degree program. The Family Educator program is conducted in partnership with the Commission on Jewish Continuity of Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston.

CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS
Required Courses

• Foundations of Jewish Family Education
• Needs Assessment for Jewish Education
• Evaluation in Family Education
• Lifespan Development and Case Studies in Jewish Family Education
• Strategic Planning for Jewish Family Education

Select one of the following:

• Seminar in Informal Education
• Models of Teaching in Jewish Education
• Curriculum Design in Jewish Education
• Educational Leadership and Supervision

Jewish Studies
(select three of the following)

• Bet Midrash for Jewish Educators
• Spiritual Dimensions of Jewish Public Service
• The Jewish Journey of Faith
• The Jewish Cycle of Time
• Bible course
• Prayer course
• Tales of the Hasidim: Stories Told Across Generations

Hebrew Proficiency
Each student will need to demonstrate proficiency in Hebrew language at Hebrew II level. Students can elect to take a placement exam to demonstrate Hebrew II level equivalency. While the required proficiency level is Hebrew II, we strongly encourage all students pursuing the certificate to achieve the equivalent of Hebrew IV.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university
• Academic records, letters of recommendation and personal essay

SCHEDULE
Family Education courses meet from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays each semester.

For more information about the CERTIFICATE IN JEWISH FAMILY EDUCATION, please contact the Office of Admissions at 617-559-8610 or email admissions@hebrewcollege.edu.