The Nitzanim Program
Training Program for Educators in Jewish and Zionist Education
Sponsored by the Joint Program for Jewish Education of the State
of Israel
Ministry of Education and Culture
The Jewish Agency for Israel
WHAT IS NITZANIM?
Nitzanim is an innovative strategic planning program to prepare
a cadre of young Israeli educators in the field of youth work,
who are skilled in aspects of Jewish leadership, knowledgeable
in Jewish subjects, and actively committed to working with Diaspora
youth. Nitzanim will ensure that within five years of its beginning,
there will be a network of trained professional educators, ready
to be called upon and work with Diaspora youth anywhere -- from
a summer camp or local community program abroad, to a group tour
in Israel.
Nitzanim (lit. "Buds") students will be carefully
selected on the basis of prior experience in Jewish and Zionist
educational programs, recommendations by veteran informal educators,
interviews, and tests. Initiating a new emphasis in the field
of education, the half-year Nitzanim course will conform to the
high university level educational and pedagogical criteria. By
the time graduate Nitzanim are ready to serve as shlichim to various
communities, they will better understand the applications of education
and will better relate to the mentality of Diaspora youth.
Conceptually, Nitzanim ushers in a new era in the sphere of Jewish
education, by building a framework for the future. It provides
direction, purpose and continuity to the training youth workers,
and it infuses the concept of informal education with revitalized
vision and idealism.
THE PROGRAM
This half year Nitzanim program includes lectures by qualified
educators holding at least an M.A, "behind -the- scenes"
meetings with leading Jewish figures, examination of relevant
source material, art in the desert and much more. All students
have personal tutors to guide them throughout the course. The
program is based on the following four areas of study:
EDUCATION
The goal of education is to effect a change within society in
general and within the individual in particular. To achieve this,
education utilizes dynamic tools drawn from everyday life. Education
aims to create an alternative kind of learning process though
the use of dialogue, in order to help us as we define and redefine
our ideas and values.
ISRAELI SOCIETY
Since 1948, the State of Israel has undergone many changes,
including political, economic, ideological changes and others.
These changes stimulate debates and discussions, which are often
shared with Diaspora Jews. Examination of various issues, which
reflect these changes, can provide a better understanding of Israeli
society.
THE JEWISH PEOPLE: JUDAISM AND ZIONISM
Any effective treatment of the topics of Judaism and Zionism
calls, first and foremost, for a profound examination of the meaning
of each concept and an analysis of how they interrelate. We believe
that this is best accomplished through an interdisciplinary approach,
which deals with historical, sociological and cultural aspects
of Judaism and Zionism, as well as related issues in the areas
of ethics, philosophy, values and vision.
At the conclusion of the course, each student is required to
submit a research paper on one of the following topics: Judaism
and the Jewish People, Israeli Society, Philosophy in Education,
and Leadership Skills.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The Department for Jewish Zionist Education will award full
tuition scholarships to all participants according to the following
criteria:
- Participants must be in their second or third year of study
towards a B.A degree.
- Participant must sign a contract with the Department committing
themselves to three periods of field works in one of the Department
educational programs.
- Participants are required to attend all classes.
- Participants are required to submit an individual project
and to take a final exam.
For further information please contact us at:
Tel: 02-6216085
Fax: 02-6216149
E-mail : nitzanim@jazo.org.il
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