Programs
MCSJE has developed programs that engage and inspire established and emerging researchers and practitioners with the goal of driving impact in the field of Jewish education scholarship.
Featured Content Slideshow
Research
MCSJE’s faculty and community of affiliated scholars conduct research that promotes a deeper understanding of learners and learning in Jewish education.
Conferences and Events
MCSJE offers a robust schedule of events throughout the year. Many events are open to the public, while others are tailored to audiences of scholars or educational leaders.
The Leading Research Center for Jewish Educational Scholarship
The Mandel Center for Studies in Jewish Education (MCSJE) is dedicated to advancing the field of Jewish educational scholarship through expansive research on teaching and learning and by convening and catalyzing other scholars and practitioners in the field through important programs, events and conferences.
Upcoming Events
"Teaching and Learning in Jewish Day Schools" Book Event
December 11, 1 PM - 1:30 PM
Book Event | What does the latest research in teaching and learning in Jewish day schools reveal about what’s going on in classrooms today? For this webinar, respondents Daniel Held (UJA Federation of Greater Toronto), Amanda Pogany (Luria Academy of Brooklyn), and Tali Zelkowicz (Wexner Institute) were asked to review Teaching and Learning in Jewish Day Schools, a new publication focused on presenting a better understanding of how day schools are educating diverse Jewish youth in a variety of content areas. The respondents will share their feedback in a talk with editor Jonathan Krasner Teaching and Learning in Jewish Day Schools is available for purchase and published in the Mandel-Brandeis Series in Jewish Education by Brandeis University Press.
Jewish Educators’ Responses to "You Never Told Me" | Dr. Benji Davis
January 15, 1 PM - 1:30 PM
Learning About Learning | In this session, we will explore insights into how Israel educators from Jewish high schools across the denominational spectrum approach teaching modern Israel in response to the "you never told me" phenomenon: graduates expressing disillusionment that criticisms of Israel were not covered in their high school education. Benji Davis will discuss his recent study and share how educators intentionally incorporate both Zionist and Palestinian perspectives to deepen students' Jewish identification with Israel and the Jewish people, while preparing them to engage in conversations about Israel on campus.
Why Teaching Jewish Texts is Not Enough | Professor Jon Levisohn
February 12, 1 PM - 1:30 PM
Learning About Learning | The heart of Jewish education, it seems, is the study of the Jewish textual tradition, or what insiders call “learning Torah.” There are good reasons to think about Jewish education that way. But there are also some reasons to question that assumption, based on the history of Jewish textuality and the history of Jewish culture. In this session, Jon A. Levisohn will discuss a recent book chapter, where he argues that we need to think more broadly about how and why Jewish education helps young people engage with a wide range of Jewish cultural practices.
The Impact of Everyday Antisemitism | Yael Silverstein
March 12, 1 PM - 1:30 PM
Learning About Learning | Reports from research centers and in the media make it clear that overt antisemitic incidents have surged on college campuses since October 7. But what about those subtle forms of antisemitism, which are much less likely to be reported and documented? Yael Silverstein and her colleagues asked university students, faculty, and staff about overt and subtle antisemitic experiences, and they found that both types had negative outcomes for individuals and institutions. In this session, she will share a framework for identifying, teaching about, and addressing antisemitic experiences in academic settings.
Featured Videos
How the Conflict Shapes the Israeli Classroom | Professor Ziva Hassenfeld and Dr. Hadar Fisher
November 20
Learning About Learning | In this time of continued war and exhaustion, how are teachers in Israel teaching, and what do they prioritize in their classrooms? In a longitudinal study, scholars Ziva Hassenfeld and Hadar Fisher asked these questions of 41 teachers in Israel, beginning just three weeks after October 7 and continuing with a group of 12 for another two years. In this session, they share insights into these teachers' ethic of care and how they enact in their teaching varied ideas surrounding their diverse understandings of students' well-being. Co-sponsored by the Schusterman Center for Israel Studies
Spotlight on Jewish Education Two Years After October 7
November 4
Spotlight Session | Two years after October 7, that date seems to mark a watershed in Jewish life around the world, including in North America. In this session, we explore how American Jewish educators and Jewish educational institutions have responded, how the changed environment has affected their work, and how they might need to think differently about the work of Jewish education in the days and years to come. Panelists include Nina Bruder (Jewish New Teacher Project), Alex Pomson (Rosov Consulting), Matt Reingold (Rosov Consulting), Miriam Heller Stern (BJE: Builders of Jewish Education) with Jon Levisohn (Brandeis University).
What Rabbinical Students Say They Need from Their Training | Cantor Laura Stein
October 23, 1 PM - 1:30 PM
Learning About Learning | Spiritual formation has long been considered an important part of theological education for seminary students in Christian contexts, but what about students in Jewish seminaries? In a recent study of Jewish seminarians' perspectives of their formation needs, scholars learned that rabbinical students at a progressive seminary seek training in areas such as mental health, diversity, and social justice; relational spaces for cultivating virtue capacities; and opportunities for meaningful reflection and processing of their growth. In this session, lead researcher Laura Stein discusses what can be learned about the future directions of Jewish clergy students' formation, and what can be done to address their evolving needs.