The Master of Arts in Jewish Education: Jewish Experiential Education

The Master of Arts in Jewish Education with focus in Jewish Experiential Education at The Davidson School is an exciting program in Jewish experiential learning and leadership.

Students will learn to:
  • Apply professional and educational skills across Jewish educational settings
  • Translate Judaic content into engaging activities that create lasting positive Jewish impact
  • Lead and manage organizations: determining vision, budgeting, marketing, and supervision
Students will benefit from:
  • Engaging study in Judaica, experiential learning, nonprofit leadership and administration from renowned faculty
  • A close-knit caring community of colleagues participating in professional seminars and social events
  • Significant internships that include meaningful work projects, mentoring, and professional development
  • Opportunities to network with and learn from leaders in the field of Jewish Experiential Education

See a list of sample courses and sample field placements.

View program details, meet our first year mentors, second year practium mentors and see a list of frequently asked questions.

Meet Cohort Incoming Fall 2011, Cohort Incoming Fall 2012, & Check out our Davidson Blog!

The Benefits of the Jewish Experiential Education Program:
  • Individual attention from admission to graduation . . . and beyond, with student professional mentoring during program and postgraduation
  • The esteemed Judaica and Jewish Education faculty of JTS
  • Vibrant resources of New York City
  • A pluralistic community of exceptional emerging leaders
  • Multiple networking opportunities
  • Frequent access to leaders in the field
  • Full Tuition FELLOWSHIP and field-work stipend to all admitted students

To Apply:

  • Fill out the online application to The Davidson School and complete the additional essay for the Jewish Experiential Education program.

For application questions contact: Abby Eisenberg, director of Admissions, at (212) 678-8022 or abeisenberg@jtsa.edu.

For program questions contact: Mark S. Young, program coordinator of the Experiential Learning Initiative, at (212) 678-8852 or mayoung@jtsa.edu.

Sample Courses:
  • Integrative and Professional Seminar in Jewish Experiential Learning
  • Foundations of Jewish Education
  • Developmental Issues in Jewish Education
  • Leading and Managing Jewish Nonprofit Organizations
  • Staff Development and Supervision in Jewish Educational Settings
  • Educational Technology in Jewish Educational Settings
  • Teaching Parshanut
  • Translating Jewish Theology
  • Jewish Identity
Sample Field Placements:
  • Jewish Community Center Association
  • Foundation for Jewish Camp
  • Columbia/Barnard Hillel
  • JCC in Manhattan
  • Camp Ramah / National Ramah Commission
  • Museum of Jewish Heritage
  • AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps.
  • The Jewish Journey Project
  • The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
  • The Covenant Foundation
  • Yeshiva University Museum at the Center for Jewish History
  • The Multi-Faith Center at Auburn Theological Seminary
Career Opportunities (senior educational leadership positions) at:
  • Jewish summer camps
  • Youth-group organizations
  • Israel and travel programs
  • Environmental, adventure, and outdoor programs
  • Jewish Community Centers
  • Hillel
  • Jewish social-justice organizations
  • Jewish retreat organizations
  • Jewish Foundations and Federations supporting Jewish education
  • Synagogues and day schools

The Jim Joseph Foundation Education Initiative provides a total of $45 million in grants to Hebrew Union College, The Jewish Theological Seminary, and Yeshiva University to increase the number and enhance the quality of Jewish educators working with Jewish youth and young adults. Funding of up to $15 million, per institution, will support the development of new certificate and degree programs and training and mentoring new and practicing education professionals over the next five years.