THE iCENTER AND THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCE NEWEST COHORT OF GRADUATE DEGREE IN ISRAEL EDUCATION

Amid Challenges and Opportunities, Unique Program Combines Experiential Jewish Education and Israel Studies

September 21, 2023

The iCenter for Israel Education and the George Washington University announced the newest cohort of its Graduate Degree in Israel Education. Twenty-one in-service professionals spanning the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Israel were selected through a rigorous screening and admissions process for the program designed to build knowledge and develop strategies to place Israel education at the heart of Jewish communal life. The newest cohort begins as Israel education faces unique challenges and opportunities amid political turmoil and uncertainty in Israel.

“Now more than ever, Israel educators need the confidence, knowledge, and expert educational approaches to engage learners in all of Israel’s complexities,” said Erika Vogel, The iCenter’s Graduate Degree Program Director. “Through their course of study, students gain these skills alongside a diverse group of peers. We’re excited to welcome this new exceptional new cohort to our growing cadre of Israel educators.”

Members of Cohort 6 work in Jewish federations, foundations, advocacy and social justice organizations, day and supplementary schools, Israel travel programs, experiential education institutions, Hillel International and campus Hillels, among other settings. Students enroll in a one-year Graduate Certificate program that can be leveraged toward a second year Master’s Degree. Eighteen students from Cohort 5 are moving forward with their second-year program culminating in a Master’s Degree.

The only program of its kind, GW’s Graduate Degree in Israel Education, offered in partnership with The iCenter with financial support from the Marcus Foundation, provides rigorous academic preparation in the fields of experiential education and Israel studies towards the development of credentialed professional Israel educators. This unique integration of study, combined with individualized mentoring in the field, enhances the content knowledge, conceptual approaches, and pedagogical methods of Israel educators serving institutions across North America and Israel.

The program has matriculated over 130 Jewish professionals, all of whom are now collectively and independently making an impact on the field.