Next Steps: National Madrichim Fellowship

When madrichim are successful, they are the most amazing asset to supplementary school programs. Let’s give teen madrichim the professional development they deserve! Exceptional Madrichim from across the country will participate in monthly sessions that include a highly interactive virtual environment, expert training, tangible classroom skills, peer support, and field building.

The National Madrichim Fellowship is exactly what the Jewish people need. Especially with the recent decline in the religious school teacher pool, this Fellowship is one step towards creating a bridge between religious school students and future Jewish educators!


Why should Madrichim participate in Next Steps?

  • They will receive high-quality, training from experts in the field of Jewish education.
  • They will learn from experts in the field, enabling them to apply that learning to their classrooms.
  • They will learn alongside peers from across the country in a safe space, creating a problem-solving and support network.

Who is Next Step for?

Next Steps is designed for exceptional Madrichim who religious schools wish to significantly invest in through a deeper level of training. Ideally, Madrichim would have at least one year of experience in the role. Participants are required to attend at least six of the eight sessions.
*Limit three Madrichim per school.

How does the program work?

The Fellowship engages directly with Madrichim and communicates monthly with Education Directors/Madrichim Coordinators and participating classroom teachers, sharing a recording of the learning, a one-page overview of the learning, and suggestions of direct ways to implement the learning that takes place into the classroom. Additionally, there will be two meetings with the Fellowship Coordinators, Education Directors/Madrichim Coordinators, and participating classroom teachers to ensure the success of the program.

What is the Cost?

$180 per Madrich/a enrolled
(includes monthly sessions and ‘Deep Dives’)

 

What Day/Time is Next Steps?

Monthly sessions will take place Monthly on Sundays from 7:00-8:30 pm EDT via Zoom. Deep Dives take place on designated Thursdays from 7:30 to 8:50 pm EDT via Zoom.

Monthly Dates and Topics

  • 10/22/23 – Creating and Implementing Transition and Down-time Activities
  • 11/19/23 – Communication with and Role Differentiation from Classroom Teacher
  • 12/17/23 – Classroom Management Strategies Madrichim Can Implement
  • 1/28/24 – Promoting Differentiated Learning in the Classroom
  • 2/25/24 – Lesson Planning 101
  • 3/17/24 – Being Present and Supportive of Students with Mental Health Challenges
  • 4/21/24 – Identifying and Activating Character Strengths in Madrichim Role
  • 5/19/24 – Review, Reflect, and Recognize!

Deep Dive Dates and Topics

  • Hebrew Tutoring Skill Development – Thursdays, November 2, 9, 16; 7:30 pm-8:30 pm EDT
  • Activities That Teach and Engage Students – January 11, 18, 25;
    7:30 pm-8:30 pm EDT

Attendance Requirement

To earn an end-of-the-year certificate and the opportunity to request a reference letter, Madrichim must attend six of the eight sessions live.

Madrichim Program Directors

Erica Hruby

Erica Hruby is a Jewish educator with over 28-years of teaching, curriculum writing, and professional development experience in Jewish community, academic, and residential environments. Erica serves as the Senior Manager of National Teen Education and Engagement at The Jewish Education Project, formerly the Executive Director of JTEEN - Jewish Teen Education & Engagement Network. She is also the founder of Anchored Parenting, LLC where she serves as an educator and coach for tw/eens, parents, and grandparents. Erica has an M.A. from Georgia School of Professional Psychology in Clinical Psychology with a focus on children and adolescents. She lives in Clearwater, Florida with her high school sweetheart with whom she shares two daughters.

Melissa Pescatore

Melissa Pescatore is the Director of Religious Education at Temple Shaari Emeth in Manalapan, NJ. Serving as principal in the congregation where she grew up, she is passionate about instilling a love of learning and building a strong, positive Jewish identity in her students. She is also a proud graduate of the LEEP Fellowship at NewCAJE and is the co-leader of NewCAJE’s National Madrichim Fellowship.

Contact Us

  Address: 354 Kenrick St. Newton, MA 02458  Telephone: 857-288-8765‬   Email:info@newcaje.org

Connect With Us

Skip to content