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On a winter afternoon in Somerville, MA, the book-lined walls of Lehrhaus restaurant are filled with the sounds of clinking glasses and the hum of deep conversation. Just beyond the dining room of this “Jewish tavern and house of learning,” there is a set of paned glass doors, and behind them, a unique kind of gathering is underway. A group of educators listen intently as Lehrhaus’ co-founders, first Rabbi Charlie Schwartz and then Joshua Foer, describe their vision for a place where community, joy and Jewish learning converge. For the inaugural cohort of the Mandel Early Career Educator Program, Lehrhaus is more than a cool place to go for lunch. It is a case study in the kind of energizing and imaginative approach to Jewish learning the group will explore together during the 18-month program, beginning January 2026.
The Mandel Institute designed the Mandel Early Career Educator Program to address a clear need for opportunities that attract and retain young Jewish educators. By supporting talented educators in the formative years of their careers, the fellowship will foster a culture of intergenerational exchange, mentorship and professional growth to help fellows deepen their Jewish learning and clarify their purpose as emerging leaders.
According to program director Jethro Berkman, one of the overarching themes of the first seminar is to help fellows bridge the divide between what is often described as “love and literacy” in Jewish education – the tension between creating joyful, welcoming experiences and the equally important call to impart meaningful Jewish knowledge. This topic surfaced frequently during the admissions process and throughout the first seminar, as applicants reflected on whether their organizations prioritize engagement or education, relationship or rigor. Berkman and the Mandel faculty believe that strong educators must learn to hold both aims at once: to help learners feel connected to Jewish life while also guiding them to learn deeply.
To cultivate this integrated approach, the fellowship weaves together a broad mix of experiences across four in-person seminars and weekly virtual Jewish learning. Rather than offering tips for next week’s lesson plan, Berkman hopes the program will support fellows to, as he puts it, “Think deeply about your educational purposes. What are you really trying to accomplish educationally, big picture?”
Each seminar lasts between five to eight days and includes site visits, faculty-led colloquia, creative workshops, Torah study, group formation, and Shabbat experiences. During the first seminar, fellows visited Lehrhaus, Boston Arts Academy, and Boston College High School, three very different institutions, each chosen for their ability to bring their educational purpose to life. The third seminar will take place in Israel, where fellows will explore the complexities of Israeli society through visits to schools and other learning programs. The cohort itself reflects the diversity of the Jewish educational ecosystem. Fellows came from campuses, synagogues, day schools, Jewish community centers and national organizations throughout the US and Canada and represent a wide range of Jewish learning backgrounds. Each brings a unique perspective on Jewish education from which the others can learn.
Throughout the week, they engaged in thoughtful dialogue, hands-on learning, and reflective practices to deepen their inner capacities and reimagine their educational roles. Fellows studied the history of Hebrew schools with Jonathan Krasner, analyzing curricula from the early 20th century, the 1940s and the 1970s, and participated in several faculty-led Torah Study sessions, grounded in the belief that educators should engage in regular Jewish learning for its own sake, not for any utilitarian purpose.
All the program’s activities are anchored in these three curricular strands:
- Educational Ideas & Practice
- Personal and Professional Growth
- Jewish Learning
On Friday evening, following a full week of immersive personal and professional development, the group gathered to celebrate Shabbat. After sharing a meal, singing together and playing games, they moved into a closing circle where fellows and faculty shared their reflections on the experience. Building on a shared sense of inspiration and a renewed optimism about the future of Jewish education, they marked the end of Shabbat with wine, sweet spices and a braided candle.
In essence, the Early Career Educator Program invites fellows to experience multi-sensory, transformative Jewish learning with the hope they will go on to create similar experiences in their communities. And as they return to their classrooms, synagogues, and school campuses, the questions they have explored together are intended to help them stretch the boundaries of what they imagine Jewish education to be.
