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Curriculum Integration in Jewish Day Schools: The Search for Coherence

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International Handbook of Jewish Education

Part of the book series: International Handbooks of Religion and Education ((IHRE,volume 5))

Abstract

Most non-Orthodox and many modern Orthodox Jewish day schools subscribe philosophically to a curricular methodology that attempts to integrate Jewish and general studies. This chapter examines the theoretical basis for curriculum integration in Jewish day schools and presents the different definitions for the term in these schools. The varied definitions of the term reveal a central concern for the Jewish identity development of students and indicate the influence that historical context, philosophical perspective, and educational setting have on curricular approach. The second half of the chapter explores many of the factors that contribute to or mitigate against the implementation of an integrated curriculum in the field both by reviewing the previous research and by presenting insights based on the author’s work as a practitioner and head of school.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    A philosophy of Orthodox Judaism articulates by Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (1808–1888), which formalizes a relationship between traditionally observant Judaism and the modern world.

  2. 2.

    For a fuller treatment of this area see Malkus (2001).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Rabbi Jacob Pressman Academy of Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Mitchel Malkus

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  1. Mitchel Malkus
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Correspondence to Mitchel Malkus .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. United Jewish Israel Appeal (UJIA), Kentish Town Road 37, London, NW1 8NX, United Kingdom

    Helena Miller

  2. Jewish Inst. Religion, Brookdale Center, Hebrew Union College, West 4th St. 1, New York, 10012, New York, USA

    Lisa Grant

  3. Melton Centre for Jewish Education, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 91905, Israel

    Alex Pomson

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Malkus, M. (2011). Curriculum Integration in Jewish Day Schools: The Search for Coherence. In: Miller, H., Grant, L., Pomson, A. (eds) International Handbook of Jewish Education. International Handbooks of Religion and Education, vol 5. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0354-4_6

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