top of page

JUDAIC STUDIES

School

Hebrew College

EDU850

Foundations of Jewish Education

BTI Category

Semester

Judaic Studies

SP25

Jewish Education is a practical art that has a theoretical base with application to practice. It has roots in Western industrial schooling as well as traditional pedagogies of teaching and learning in rabbinic antiquity. Recent innovation has drawn upon social, emotional and spiritual modes of learning to redefine Jewish Education for the 21st century. Jewish Education is a vast field including all kinds of schooling, camping, experiential and wilderness learning as well as college campus and adult and community learning. Students will be introduced to relevant theories and key pedagogical methods in the field of Jewish education so that they become familiar with the discourse of the field and can be skilled, innovative and knowledgeable about Jewish teaching and learning. The course incorporates the ways in which ordination students will utilize educational frameworks and approaches in their specific clergy roles.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Rabbi Dr. Michael Shire

M

2:30 to 4:00 pm

Grading Option

PF or Audit

Credits

2

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

Y

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Harvard Divinity School

HDS 1672

Israel's Chosenness: Ancient Roots and Modern Manifestations

BTI Category

Semester

Judaic Studies

SP25

What is chosenness? What does it mean for God to choose a people? For a people to be chosen? What kind of role does this ideology play in Jewish tradition? In contemporary Judaism? In Zionism? These issues cannot be comprehended without tackling their ancient origins, from the Bible to the rabbis and early Christianity. At the same time, it is mandatory to acknowledge that contemporary processes are not simply modern manifestations of ancient debates. A double look is thus required in order to account for these issues: ancient roots and modern metamorphoses. It is this double look that this course is tailored to offer.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Shaul Magid, Ishay Rosen-Zvi

T

12:00pm - 1:59pm

Grading Option

Letter

Credits

4

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Hebrew College

CTL609

Nusah Improvisation for Tefillah Leaders

BTI Category

Semester

Judaic Studies

SP25

The essence of nusah is improvisation l’Shem Shamayim. The texts of our prayers are codified in the siddur, but the kavanah, the meaning we breathe into these words is through song. In this class, students with a foundational knowledge of Ashkenazi Shabbat nusah will learn modal improvisation, primarily by ear, so we may truly sing to God a new (modally-informed) song.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Rabbi Jessica Kate Meyer

W

3:00 to 5:00 pm

Grading Option

PF or Audit

Credits

2

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

Y

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Harvard Divinity School

HDS 3036

Judaism: Text and Tradition

BTI Category

Semester

Judaic Studies

SP25

A wide-ranging introductory exploration of the Jewish religious tradition, from its inception in biblical Israel though its rabbinic, medieval, and modern iterations. The central focus lies on the literary meanings and existential questions of the classical tradition, as well as on the relationships between texts, religious claims, and practices. We shall also consider some of the restatements, reformulations, and challenges to tradition that have arisen in modern times. No prerequisites. By permission only: students should submit an application to the instructor by January 18, 2025. Jointly offered in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences as Religion 1250

Professor

Class Day & Time

Jon Levenson

TR

10:30am - 11:45am

Grading Option

Letter, P/F, Audit

Credits

4

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

bottom of page