Imagine a Judaic Studies department where every teacher is equipped with cutting-edge pedagogy for teaching in the Judaic Studies classroom, where students are deeply engaged in their Kodesh lessons, and where your entire faculty works in harmony toward your educational vision. Herzog Learning Labs make this a reality.
Herzog Learning Labs is a professional development initiative designed to improve the quality of Judaic Studies education in all types of Jewish day schools, using the expertise and resources of Herzog College. The program is customized to align with each school’s mission and goals and in accordance with its philosophy.
Herzog Learning Labs engages administrators, Judaic Studies (JS) teachers, and the broader school faculty in a holistic and immersive process involving site visits, mentorship, workshops, online courses, and classroom observations.
Learning Labs Goals:
- To ignite change throughout the school by improving the quality of Judaic Studies instruction and increasing student engagement.
- To support teachers by expanding their repertoire of instructional strategies within the Judaic Studies classroom.
- To create professional learning communities within a school that are committed to growth and development.
- To encourage a culture of collaboration in which teachers share their new skills with the rest of the JS faculty.
- To empower administrators to align school vision with pedagogy through the sharing of ideas and practices.
How It Works:
Our pedagogy team works closely with school leaders to design customized programs to support the unique needs of their Judaic Studies faculty. Schools can choose from a menu of options that will be aligned with their goals, including:
- Site Visits – Our pedagogy team visits the school to meet with administrators and teachers and to observe teachers in action, providing meaningful and actionable feedback.
- Coaching – Teachers receive one-on-one coaching geared towards a specific goal in the JS classroom.
- Local Coordinator – An experienced educator from your own community will guide the Learning Labs process in the school.
- Online Courses – Faculty can participate in asynchronous pedagogy courses with experts from Herzog College on a relevant topic of their choice. Examples of courses include: Pedagogy in the Limmudei Kodesh Classroom, Creating Meaningful Tanakh Lessons, Active Learning Strategies for the Judaic Studies Classroom)
- Group Facilitation – Working closely with school leaders, we support the development of peer collaboration and growth within the JS department.
- Workshops – We offer workshops for all or selected faculty members on relevant and practical topics that further the goals of the program.
Tried and Tested
Herzog Global works with schools that span the religious spectrum and serve communities of different shapes and sizes. Our Herzog Learning Labs programs have already achieved successful results across the globe, with schools in Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, South Africa, England, and Mexico currently participating in the program.
“The classroom observation sessions were helpful in highlighting areas where staff could do with further support. The facilitators supported our culture of learning and empowered us to feel encouraged to move forward.”
Rabbi R.J., Broughton Jewish Primary School, Manchester
“The coaches learned a lot about the teachers, and the teachers received a lot of positive ideas on how to upgrade their lessons and improve their weak points. The program is greatly strengthening the faculty team spirit in our school.”
Administrator, Lauder Beth Zion School, Berlin
Program Options
Option A. Six-Month Program
Number of Participants: 5 – 8 teachers and school leaders
Program structure:
- One 2-Day Site Visit by Herzog pedagogy experts
- Coaching – typically 6 coaching sessions per participant by local Mentor.
- Online Training Courses – 1 asynchronous pedagogy course per participant, allowing them to study online in their own time.
Option B: Year-Long Program
Number of Participants: 8 – 12 teachers and school leaders)
Program structure:
- Two 2-Day Site Visits by Herzog pedagogy experts
- Coaching – typically 10 coaching sessions per participant.
- Custom Online Course – a 12-week asynchronous pedagogy course for your educational team, designed to meet the needs of your school’s JS faculty.
- Workshops for the Learning Lab participants or for your entire JS faculty.
Program Funding
The Herzog Learning Labs program has been developed in partnership with UnitEd, Israel’s Ministry for Diaspora Affairs & Combatting Antisemitism, and with funding from the Pincus Fund for Jewish Education.
Discounts may be available for schools in some countries, and we are happy to work with local education boards and help you to apply for governmental funding if relevant.
Ready to elevate your Judaic Studies program? Let’s talk about what Herzog Learning Labs can do for your school.
Please complete the form below and we’ll arrange a conversation.