Teachers : Teacher Certification Program

TCP Brochure Registration Form Application for Prior Credit Form 
Hebrew Practice Tests

• Bible and Commentaries,
• Jewish History, 
• Rabbinic Literature,
• Liturgy, Laws and Customs,
• Jewish Thought,
• Principles of Education,
• Teaching Methods,
• Classroom Management,
• Teaching Judaic Subjects.
• In addition, a basic ability to read (phonetically) and write in Hebrew is required.

The Teacher Certification Program is sponsored by CAJE with the support of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, the Federation of Reform Temples, and the St. Louis Jewish Educators’ Council.

BENEFITS OF THE TCP PROGRAM

• Cash arrival bonuses for achievement of each certification level with a maximum total of $1,000 per participant
• Credit given for attending a wide variety of Congregational or community education programs
  • CAJE workshops
  • CAJE adult education classes
  • Congregational adult education classes or workshops
  • Florence Melton z'l Adult Mini-School, Melton Scholar Series, Foundations of Jewish Family Life (a Melton Parent Education Program), or other Melton education program
  • The Festival of Jewish Life offered at the JCC in partnership with CAJE and St. Louis Rabbinical Association (TCP credit subject to approval)
    
• Tuition grants for all CAJE sponsored classes, workshops and programs
• Eligibility to apply for available conference and special program grants

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

All Jewish Saint Louis area religious and Hebrew school teachers and specialists are invited and encouraged to enroll.  (Each certification level has a classroom experience requirement.)

CERTIFICATION LEVELS

HOW IT WORKS: EARNING CREDIT

Each participant's credit application form will be reviewed by the TCP Coordinator.  Decisions concerning eligibility of courses will be make by the TCP staff and/or Committee.  Application for prior credit must be reported within 12 months of TCP registration.  On approval, credit will be given:

• College courses that meet the curriculum requirements
• Workshops, seminars, and classes conducted by Jewish educators in the community
• Completion of the Florence Melton z'l Adult Mini-school two year program will satisfy the Judaic requirements of both the Basic Teaching Certificate and the Associate Certificate levels.
• Completion of an Education Degree will satisfy the Education requirements for Levels 1, 2 and 3 except for Teaching Judaic Subjects and Electives.

GETTING STARTED

Each participant enters the program by completing the TCP Registration Form and the Application for Prior Credits Form (if needed).  Download the forms below as needed.

Teacher Certification Program Brochure PDF Format

Application/Registration Form PDF Format

Application for Prior Credit Form PDF Format

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Below is an overview of all of the requirements of the Teacher Certification Program.  The number of credits required for each category varies with each certification level as outlined in the program outline chart.  Under each category, are a number of course topics.

A course topic will receive no more than 2 credits in each certification level.

JUDAICS

Bible and Commentaries
• Bible and Its History
• Midrash and Aggadah
• Classical Commentaries
• God and the Torah
• Writings and Prophets

Jewish History
• Ancient, Medieval and Modern Jewish History
• Religious, Cultural, Social History of the Jewish People
• The Holocaust
• History of Modern Israel
• American Jewish History

Rabbinic Literature
• History of the Rabbinic Literature
• Midrash, Aggadah, Mishna, Talmud, Codes
• Scope and Development of Jewish Law

Liturgy, Laws, Customs
• Structure, Development, Content of the Siddur, Machzor and Haggadah
• Jewish Calendar
• Traditional Laws, Customs, Ceremonies
• Jewish Life-Cycle Events

Jewish Thought
• Principles and Major Thinkers of Jewish Belief
• Main Jewish Philosophers and their Contributions
• Talking about God
• Comparative Judaism
• Jewish Medical and Civil Ethics
• Contemporary Jewish Issues
• Current Events

EDUCATION

• Principles and philosophy of education.
• Teaching methodology: Development of classroom goals and objectives, and motivating students.
• Teaching methodology: Classroom management, group dynamics and multiple intelligences.
• Teaching Judaic subjects.
• Electives

HEBREW PROFICIENCY

Successful attainment of each level will be determined by a proficiency test.

Level 1: required for Basic Teaching Certification and all certification levels
• Basic ability to read (phonetically) and write the Hebrew alphabet.

Level 2: required for Associate Certification in Judaics and Hebrew
• Level 1 requirement – plus:
• Elementary ability in reading comprehension.
• Ability to write in cursive.
• Familiarity with Hebrew vocabulary as it relates to holidays, customs, ceremonies and laws of the Jewish year.

Level 3: required for Certification in Judaics and Hebrew; also required for Master Teacher
• Level 2 requirements – plus:
• Intermediate ability in reading comprehension.
• Elementary ability in oral Hebrew.
• Basic Hebrew grammar.
• Familiarity with the Hebrew vocabulary of Biblical and Rabbinic literature.

CREDIT REQUIREMENTS

Click here to view the Credit Requirements for each level.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON...

Course Offerings and Level 4 Independent Project
-      Michelle Brooks at (314) 442-3774 or email mbrooks@cajestl.org.

Registration Process and Credit Transcripts
-      Shirley Wise at (314) 442-3765 or email swise@cajestl.org.

Back to top

Hebrew Practice Tests

LEVEL 1
Click on Level 1 Practice Letter Identification to download a practice sheet in PDF format.

Click on Level 1 Practice Reading to download a practice sheet in PDF format.

LEVEL 2
Click on Level 2 Comprehension Practice to download a practice sheet in PDF format.

Click on Level 2 Reading Practice to download a practice sheet in PDF format.

Click on Level 2 Sample Vocabulary to download a practice sheet in PDF format.

LEVEL 3
Click on Level 3 Story Practice to download a practice sheet in PDF format.

Back to top