ESTHER BETESH
I REMEMBER IT WELL. IT WAS ALMOST 10 YEARS AGO ON A BEAUTIFUL AND SUNNY SUMMER DAY. I WALKED OUT OF A QUICK CONVERSATION WITH A FELLOW COMMUNITY MEMBER ABOUT A HALAKHA THAT SHE HAD RECENTLY TAKEN UPON HERSELF.
I had not yet taken the same step that she had. It was an aspect of halakha that many people find quite difficult to take on, and I had never really thought of it as something that I would include in my own religious observance. However, after that small conversation, I began taking steps to learn more about it and incorporate it in my own life. I remember immediately thinking: “If she can do it, so can I!” And that was the catalyst that I needed to help me grow in that specific way. A short exchange with an acquaintance led to a beautiful change in the way I chose to live my life.
Recently I found myself wondering why that small moment was able to make such a big impact, one that dozens of inspiring teachers and mentors had yet to bring on. There were a few reasons that came to mind, but one that stood out to me was the fact that the person who inspired me was someone I was able to identify with, a community member who shared many of my own life experiences and understood where I came from. Knowing that I could relate to the person I was talking to, knowing that she was making life decisions while living in the same community as myself, empowered me to make a change.
The idea that community and relatability matter when it comes to creating lasting impact is one of the foundational reasons for why we began Melamedet, an online learning platform with the goal of developing young community women into high level Judaic Studies educators and bringing them into our community schools. We wanted to recreate that small exchange that I had all those years ago on a grander scale, creating teachers that students could relate to, not only on a religious level, but on a personal one. We wanted specifically to help train community women to become Judaic Studies teachers, so that when their students walked out of their classrooms, they would see Torah not just as another subject in school, but as a way of life.
The courses at Melamedet range from In Depth Analysis and Pedagogy in Halakha and Tanakh, to Positive Psychology and Incorporating Technology in the Classroom, ensuring that we create teachers equipped not only with content and pedagogy, but social emotional skills as well.
Our staff includes top community rabbis and educators, who are there to guide and mentor each step of the way.
Our students are young community women with strong leadership skills, who are looking to become role models and mentors, teaching, guiding, and setting a positive example for the next generation. B”H They have already started giving back to the community through amazing opportunities provided by Melamedet, including after school classes and summer programming in partnership with community schools and shuls.
Our semesters are designed to be flexible and cater to everyone, from full time college students to working mothers, with the ability to take all courses online and receive full scholarship awards.
Currently, we have been blessed with an incredible cohort of students, and are now accepting applications for students who would like to join us for the fall semester of 2022.
You can apply today at Melamedet.org.
HEAR WHAT SOME CURRENT STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE AT MELAMEDET
Joining the Melamedet program has opened the door for me to learn how to teach Judaic Studies with the same, if not greater seriousness and depth, as a Master’s program. It has been a privilege to study closely with community rabbis and teachers, who encouraged and supported me even while working as a new mother. I look forward to, G-d willing, having the great privilege and opportunity to become a teacher of Torah. -Sally Choueka
I recently joined Melamedet and have been truly loving it! I enjoy learning how to teach Judaic Studies in ways that I wouldn’t have learned from a conventional college education. I can remain a full time college student while taking Melamedet courses online in a flexible way, with amazing teachers and mentors. I can’t wait to become a teacher of Jewish education and share my passion for Jewish values, as well as my admiration for all the incredible sources we have to learn from. I am grateful I joined this program! -Mary Jajati
The individualized attention for each student guarantees her success. I look forward to continuing and passing forward the knowledge that Melamedet has taught and will continue to teach me. -Judy Elmann
Esther Betesh is currently a third year Doctoral student at Yeshiva University’s Azrieli Graduate School for Jewish Education and Administration. She runs the website TorahExchange.com and teaches Judaic Studies at several community institutions. She now serves as Director at Melamedet, and feels very blessed to have the opportunity to help bring more community women to serve as role models and excellent teachers of Judaic Studies into our community schools and institutions.
