Tool 1: Use of Primary Text

Tool 1: Use of Primary Texts

Using primary Jewish texts in the classroom involves incorporating sections from Bible, Rabbinic and other core Jewish sources. When students learn the actual words and ideas directly from Jewish texts, they gain a deeper and more direct connection to these texts. Analyzing primary texts helps students develop critical thinking skills as they interpret and evaluate original sources, considering their purpose, audience, and context. Working with primary texts improves skills such as close reading, source analysis, and argumentation, which are valuable across many disciplines.

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Ilana Gleicher-Bloom has worked as a Jewish educator and education director for over 15 years. In her work she focuses on developing pluralist yet inclusive learning environments, and is interested in every person being able to access Torah.

Ilana graduated from Brandeis University with a BA in Judaic Studies (NEJS) and Literature, and was a member of the inaugural cohort of the Melamdim Teacher Education Program at the Hartman Institute and Tel Aviv University. After completing Melamdim, she taught Talmud and Tanakh at the Heschel High School in NY, and at the Rochelle Zell Jewish High School in the Chicago area. In 2015, Ilana had the opportunity to research and develop a new model for congregational schools, which she launched as Mensch Academy, the religious school of Mishkan Chicago, and in 2018, she received the Pomegranate Prize from the Covenant Foundation which honors rising leaders in Jewish education.

In 2021, Ilana moved to Jerusalem with her husband and three children, where she works as the Program Director for Resources at M²: Institute for Jewish Experiential Education. In her free time, Ilana reads as many books as possible, drinks lots of coffee, and wanders Jerusalem with her family.

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The Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies is an open, inclusive, diverse and intellectually challenging Jewish learning community based in Jerusalem with programs worldwide. Pardes cultivates a life-long love of Jewish learning, the Jewish people and Israel. Pardes inspires engagement in Jewish life — as communal and spiritual leaders, educators and active participants.