The Ma’ayan Programme trains women as high-calibre Jewish educators as well as experts in the area of Taharat Hamishpacha (the laws of family purity). Participating in the programme is an exciting opportunity to deepen your knowledge, develop your skills and be part of a cohort of role models who will have a tangible impact on the British Jewish community.
A second round of the Ma’ayan Programme will begin in September 2020 and will finish in April 2022. It will require a time commitment of one day per week for the duration of the programme, plus some additional learning sessions.
The programme will include:
Intensive halachic learning sessions with Dayanim and Rabbanim
Expert training in the medical aspects of women’s health from UCL’s Institute for Women’s Health
Instruction in mental health issues, counselling and staffing a Taharat Hamishpacha hotline
Practical skills training, in order to become a top quality educator in a community context, taught by a variety of experts in the field
Leadership training from the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning
Applications for the programme are now closed. To find out more information, please contact Michelle Bauernfreund on michelle@chiefrabbi.org.
The Ma’ayan Programme will give you the knowledge and skills to take on a leading educational role within the Jewish community. You will receive support and guidance throughout the programme. During and after the programme, the Office of the Chief Rabbi will actively work with communities to find you opportunities to teach and practice as a Ma’ayan.
To be eligible to apply, applicants should be able to demonstrate:
A proficiency in Kodesh texts
Detailed knowledge of Taharat Hamishpacha. (Completion of the MEP Programme or equivalent is the required standard. If you have not completed this,we will facilitate an oppurtunity for you to do so in your own time, within the first 6 months of the programme.)
Skills needed to deliver educational programming
A desire to serve in a community (or communities) after graduating from the programme
A good knowledge and understanding of the mainstream Orthodox community in the UK
To apply for the programme, you’ll need to fill in an application form which you can find here.
Please note that this will be a competitive process and we will not be able to accept all applicants onto the programme.
There will be 3 stages to the application process. (1) Submitting the application form. (2) A first interview which will include preparing written and verbal presentations. (3) A second interview which will include a further verbal presentation.
The pool of candidates will be narrowed down over the course of the process.
The majority of our first cohort were community Rebbetzens. However, with this round of the programme, we’re particularly encouraging non-Rebbetzens, in addition to Rebbetzens, to apply. If you are interested in playing a leadership role in our communities, with and alongside the Rabbinic team, this programme may well be for you.
You don’t necessarily need to have experience in order to apply. We understand that applicants may come from a variety of backgrounds and we are looking for natural talent and skills, which can be developed and built upon over the course of the programme.
We ask all participants to make a contribution of £200 per term (equalling £1,000 overall) towards the costs of the programme. The programme is heavily subsidised by the Office of the Chief Rabbi.
Financial constraints will never be a barrier to participation so please do be in touch to discuss this if you have any questions.
Full attendance and participation is mandatory for the Ma’ayan Programme. We will not be willing to compromise on this requirement.
In applying for the Ma’ayan Programme, you are committing to this and understand that an attendance level of below 90% will mean that you may not be able to graduate from the programme.
This programme has been heavily invested in and in order to be successful, Ma’ayanot must be committed to spending time in communities after the programme. Therefore, participation in the programme is also a commitment to the following (paid) activities:
At least 8 Shabbatot each year spent as a Ma’ayan in a community (this could be in the same community or spread across more than one community.)
2 hours per week given to a Taharat Hamishpacha hotline
4 hours each month for community-based shiurim or sessions. (This does not include preparation or travel time.)
Your commitment includes the above but is not exhaustive.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to be in touch. Contact Michelle on michelle@chiefrabbi.org.
