CSJEC Partnerships

The Center proudly partners with the Mandel Teacher Educator Institute (MTEI) to offer a unique and distinctive opportunity for educators in Jewish school settings across North America. MTEI has, for two decades successfully developed a national cadre of educational leaders. Its graduates are transforming Jewish teaching and learning by engaging teachers in substantive professional development.

MTEI's primary purpose is to develop educational leaders - "teachers of teachers" - who can enhance the quality of Jewish learning through planning and implementing effective and powerful professional development for teachers in their institutions, in their communities, and at the national level. We view ongoing, substantive professional development for educational leaders and teachers as the linchpin for serious progress in Jewish education.

The educational approach embodied in MTEI's practice is grounded in a constellation of convictions about high-quality education. These beliefs are supported by the best thinking today in Jewish and general education. MTEI promotes a vision of Jewish education that:

• Takes subject matter seriously
• Emphasizes text study
• Values learners' thinking and meaning making
• Fosters inquiry-oriented, collaborative learning
• Focuses on teachers' classroom practice
• Regards teacher learning as integral to effective teaching
• Builds towards ongoing, systemic efforts rather than isolated opportunities

Students in MTEI can now receive a Certificate in Jewish Education through UC's Center for Studies in Jewish Education when they have completed the MTEI course of study. The University of Cincinnati Certificate in Jewish Education immerses students in the theory and practice of Jewish Education. Intended to support teachers and educational leaders from a variety of settings, this certificate will assist participants in deepening their subject area expertise, developing their pedagogical stance, and building inquiry approaches to their teaching and learning. Course work offers investigations of reflective practice and Jewish education content areas (curriculum, leadership, text study).

This partnership is funded by the Mandel Foundation.

The CSJEC is proud to partner with UC International in sustaining the University’s Israel Initiative Committee (IIC), an interdisciplinary group of faculty from across the UC campus, including colleagues with appointments at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC).

With the support of the UC administration, the IIC’s activity emphasizes (a) sustaining and developing robust and productive connections between UC and the Israeli academy; (b) promoting and supporting the Israel-related work of colleagues across the campus and CCHMC; and (c) sponsoring and cosponsoring activities that advance Israel studies.

As part of UC’s vision of global impact and innovation, the IIC is helping to forge a three-part strategic partnership with Oranim College, the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, and the University of Haifa. These distinctive institutions, all located in the Haifa area, play leading roles in the city, the region, and Israeli society. Reflecting the Northern District’s diverse landscape, they are home to Jewish, Arab, and Christian faculties and student bodies. Roughly forty percent Israeli-Palestinian in composition, the campuses are models of shared society and strongholds of democratic values.

We gratefully acknowledge the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati’s Israel and Overseas Committee for supporting our collaborative activity with Oranim College, the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, and the University of Haifa. To make a gift or charitable contribution in support of the IIC, please contact Dr. Mark Raider.

Dr. Mark A. Raider, chair (College of Arts & Sciences; Center for Studies in Jewish Education & Culture)

Dr. Steven Cahn (College-Conservatory of Music)

Dr. Kelly Cohen (College of Engineering and Applied Science)

Dr. Vittoria S. Daiello (College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning)

Dr. David Edelman (College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning) 

Dr. Ari Finkelstein (College of Arts & Sciences) 

Dr. Ephraim Gutmark (College of Engineering and Applied Science; College of Medicine) 

Dr. Anton Harfmann (College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning) 

Dr. Todd Herzog (College of Arts & Sciences)

Ms. Michelle Kohn (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center)

Emeritus Prof. Stephen Kroeger (College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Resources) 

Dr. Jason Krupar (College of Arts & Sciences) 

Prof. Hagit Limor (College-Conservatory of Music) 

Dr. Charles Matthews (Lindner College of Business) 

Dr. Jarek Meller (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center; College of Medicine) 

Dr. Gautam Pillay (College of Engineering and Applied Science)

Dr. Jack Rubinstein (College of Medicine)

Emerita Prof. Ronna Schneider (College of Law) 

Dr. Henry Spitz (College of Engineering and Applied Science; College of Medicine)

Dr. Andrew Steckl (College of Engineering and Applied Science) 

Dr. David Weiskopf (Jewish Federation of Cincinnati; Lindner College of Business)