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| THE CHRONICLE
tions. This group will monitor
progress of the grant implementation
and plan for additional initiatives
that will be pursued with JJF’s sup-
port. They also will explore together
how to expand distance learning, mar-
keting, and recruitment.
HUC-JIR’s Rhea Hisch School of
Education (RHSOE) in Los Angeles and
New York School of Education (NYSOE)
have educated 408 Jewish educators serving
the Reform Movement’s congregational
schools, day schools, agencies of Jewish edu-
cation, Federations, Jewish community
centers, Jewish camps, and Hillels.
The incoming 2009-2010
cohort represents a 200% in-
crease in enrollment. The
M.A. programs include a first
year of study in Israel, a cur-
riculum focused on Jewish
studies, pedagogy, and leader-
ship development, and a rich
program of mentored internships. The
RHSOE is renowned as a center for innova-
tion in Jewish education through its
Experiment in Congregational Education
(
ECE), which re-visions congregational edu-
cation and directly affect the lives of tens of
thousands of Jewish children, families, con-
gregants in Reform synagogues; and DeLeT
(
Day School Leadership through Teaching),
the first-ever program under Jewish sponsor-
ship leading to a California State Teaching
Credential . The NYSOE, in partnership with
JTS, sponsors the Leadership Insti-
tute for Congregational School
Educators to enhance the ca-
pacity of congregational
school educators through
seminars, study in Israel,
and innovative projects
implemented in each edu-
cator’s school.
The Shimon Ben Joseph
Foundation, commonly known
as the Jim Joseph Foundation, is
committed to the legacy of its founder, Jim
Joseph, z”l, devoted exclusively to supporting
education of Jewish youth in the United
States. Jim Joseph was a dedicated Jewish phi-
lanthropist who cared passionately about the
education of Jewish children, youth, and
young adults. He believed that focusing on
young people was the best way to preserve a
strong Jewish faith and proud heritage,
thereby ensuring success of the Jewish people
for the future.
After completing his master’s degree at
the Wharton School at the University of
Pennsylvania, Jim Joseph began a highly suc-
cessful career acquiring and developing
commercial and residential property for his
company, Interland Corporation. As he built
his business, Joseph donated generously to a
wide variety of Jewish institutions and organ-
izations and formed the Jim Joseph
Foundation in 1987. Jim Joseph passed away
December 19, 2003.
The JJF’s Board of Directors and its foun-
dation professionals are building on the
philanthropic mission that Jim Joseph pursued
–
to foster compelling, effective learning
experiences for young Jews in the United
States. In accordance with Jim Joseph’s
view, the Foundation recognizes
that Jewish learning takes place
in a multitude of settings, in-
cluding but not limited to
day schools, camps, youth
groups, congregations, col-
lege campuses,
service
learning experiences, commu-
nity centers, and the like.
“
Our commitment is to Jew-
ish education, and the partnership now
established with these three institutions
through these grants should contribute greatly
to advancing this cause,” says JJF President Al
Levitt. “It is an exciting development for all
who care about improving the quality
of Jewish life. We’re simply playing our
role in helping these institutions, and
the educators they educate, reach their
full potential and positively shape the
lives of Jewish youth.”
JJF Executive Director Chip Edels-
berg adds, “The Jim Joseph Foundation is
confident these three institutions will produce
highly qualified educators who will inspire a
next generation of young Jews to value Jewish
learning. The promise of this initiative is that
it will enrich students in their respective pro-
grams of study, strengthen each individual
institution, and enable us to infuse the field
with talented educators whose collective good
work will positively impact the world of Jew-
ish education.”
How to Apply for the
Jim Joseph Foundation
Scholarships at HUC-JIR
T
he Jim Joseph Foundation grant makes possi-
ble the first-ever program of full scholarships
at HUC-JIR’s Rhea Hirsch School of Education
(
RHSOE) in Los Angeles and New York School of
Education.
“
We are eager to attract young men and
women with a passion for creating vibrant Jewish
communities and for passing on Jewish tradition,”
says Dr. Michael Zeldin, RHSOE Director. “We are
looking for candidates who have proven leadership
ability and the capacity to excite others about Jew-
ish living and learning. We are particularly on the
lookout for individuals filled with ideas for new
ways of engaging others. We believe that we can
take people with these raw talents and transform
them into compelling leaders in Jewish education.”
To be eligible, students must be enrolled to
study full-time at HUC-JIR. The requirements for
the scholarship are the same as the requirements
for admission to the Education Program.While ap-
plicants do not need to demonstrate knowledge of
Hebrew in order to apply, they must demonstrate
a mastery of Hebrew at the level of “advanced be-
ginner” by the time they begin their studies. The
first year of the program is in Israel.
Please go to HUC-JIR’s Admissions website at:
Students will be notified about the scholarships
when they are notified about matriculation.
