On October 18th, 2023, the Zahava and Moshael Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought hosted a cohort of doctoral students from YU’s Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration. These students are all currently Jewish educators with full-time jobs in Jewish day schools worldwide while they pursue their doctoral degree. They visited the Straus Center to learn more about integrating Torah and Western thought into pedagogy.
The session began with Rabbi Dr. Dov Lerner, Clinical Assistant Professor at the Straus Center, who presented a lecture on “John Milton and the American Imagination,” showing how the famous poet influenced America in terms of “epics, ethics, and politics.” Subsequently, Dr. Elana Riback Rand, Educational Initiatives Project Coordinator at the Straus Center, presented a “pedagogical debrief.” Dr. Rand, who recently received her doctorate from Azrieli, offered insights on best practices, drawing upon cutting-edge pedagogical theory. The session generated an engaging discussion with the doctoral students about the challenges of implementing these ideas within schools’ administrative structures. One student asked about finding resources for integrating Torah and Western thought that would be useful to bring into the classroom. Dr. Rand suggested that the doctoral students take a look at the Straus Center’s latest book Esther in America, edited by Deputy Director Rabbi Dr. Stu Halpern. The Straus Center also gifted several copies to the doctoral students who were eager to incorporate the book into their teaching.
Azrieli’s doctoral program offers an Executive model EdD degree in Jewish Educational Leadership. Coursework addresses leadership across the realms of curriculum, student support and social-emotional learning, administration, community, and governance. Students proceed through the program in a cohort of committed Jewish educational professionals, enhancing the learning and creating a strong community of learners. More information is available at Azrieli’s Doctoral Program website, and applications are now being accepted for Fall 2024.
