Leadership
The IISHJ Leadership Program develops professional leaders to serve the needs of the Secular Humanistic Judaism. The first program created by the IISHJ in 1987, graduates of the Leadership Program earn the title of Leader/Madrikh(a)/Vegvayzer, a Jewish professional who serves as a community guide, ceremonial officiant, philosophic counselor, educator, and movement spokesperson. Leaders serve the needs of their communities and the Jewish community in general in their area. Upon completing the Leadership Program, the Leader/Madrikh(a)/Vegvayzer is certified by the IISHJ as a recognized leader in the movement with all the rights and responsibilities of clergy.
Admission Requirements
- Membership in the Secular Humanistic Jewish movement
- Completion of the application process, including application form, advance screening, and two letters of recommendation, preferably from leaders in the Secular Humanistic Jewish movement
- Interview with the Admissions Committee
- An undergraduate degree is preferred but not required
Requirements for Graduation
IISHJ seminars are mostly offered online. Fees are $200 per credit hour. Scholarships toward tuition, travel, and lodging are available to Leadership Program students.
- Completion of 4 required online introductory seminars (1 CR each, 3 synchronous and 1 independent study)
- Completion of 3 elective online seminars (1 CR each, independent study)
- Completion of 3 required graduate level seminars (3 CR each, may be in-person or online)
- Completion of 5 supervised fieldwork projects designed to give the students practical experience in their field. (PS 390 – 2 credit hours). The fieldwork projects may be completed concurrently with the program.
- Reading proficiency in a Jewish language (Hebrew, Yiddish, or Ladino in original orthography)
Leadership Program Seminars
Seminars required for the Leadership Program are offered regularly by the Institute. IISHJ Staff advises students on fulfilling seminar and program requirements.
Required Introductory Seminars
- SHJ 100) Roots of Secular Humanistic Judaism (independent study)
- SHJ 110) Basic Ideas of Secular Humanistic Judaism
- JC 200) Celebration of Jewish Calendar and Holidays
- JC 210) Celebration of the Jewish Life Cycle
Required Graduate Seminars
- PS 400) Jewish Education and Curriculum Planning
- PS 410) Leadership, Management and Community
- PS 430) Philosophic Guidance and Counseling
Elective Seminars
In-person elective seminars are occasionally offered by the IISHJ in partnership with local Secular Humanistic Jewish communities. Independent study opportunities based on recorded IISHJ seminars and conferences are also available – see this list of options.
Fieldwork
The IISHJ Leadership programs develop individuals to be Secular Humanistic Jewish community leaders through both academic study (seminars, questions, papers) and practical experience (fieldwork requirements) in relevant Areas of Expertise.
The five Areas of Expertise for Fieldwork for the Leadership Program are:
- Educator or Educational Consultant
- Philosophical Consultant or Spokesperson/Philosophical Counselor
- Community Administrator
- Festival Ceremonialist
- Life Cycle Ceremonialist
Fieldwork experience for these areas consists of completing supervised and approved Tasks, relevant to the student’s program and one for each Area of Expertise. The supervision of all Tasks is provided by IISHJ Staff. IISHJ Staff and are available for discussion of resources and options if the student encounters difficulties in completing a Task. Students should read the full list of task examples before beginning their supervised fieldwork. Task examples serve as guidelines and should not stifle the student’s creativity.
Click here to read more about the roles, admission requirements and graduation competencies of a Secular Humanistic Jewish Leader/Madrikh(a)/Vegvayzer.