Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership
Rating: 4 stars 7 7 reviews
Address:
610 S. Michigan Avenue Chicago IL 60605 USA
Mission:
Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership offers dynamic learning opportunities, rooted in Jewish wisdom and culture and open to all. Graduate programs and workshops train future leaders and engage individuals in exploration of Jewish life. Public programs include films, speakers, seminars, concerts, and exhibits—at the Institute’s Michigan Avenue facility, in the Chicago suburbs, and online.
Target demographics:
Adults of all backgrounds
Geographic areas served:
Chicago area - and throughout North America
Programs:
Masters of science in nonprofit management (msnm): the msnm program is geared toward adult learners. The program emphasizes the acquisition of practical skills. The program introduces students to the essential skills required of nonprofit managers and leaders today, with particular emphasis on critical thinking, communication, planning and financial oversight.
judaica degree programs (masters' and doctoral): the masters-level programs in jewish studies and jewish education are sequenced, content specific, coherent curricula that seek to communicate to students the evolving structure and nature of jewish civilization, the fundamental religious and intellectual outlook of this civilization, the contributions of jewish civilization to human civilization and the inspiration it can provide for students to lead a life that embraces and continues to explore the jewish heritage. Doctoral-level programs are designed for jewish professionals seeking increased understanding of the jewish experience and academic grounding in jewish thought and practice.
master of arts in jewish professional studies (majps): the majps program is a model of learning and training for jewish professionals, offering core courses in judaica topics that are most relevant to jewish communal life today, essential professional training, as well as individualized study to advance students' personal and professional interests. The program is run on a cohort basis, offering the opportunity for students from a wide range of institutional and professional backgrounds to network and learn from one another and create a vibrant community of practice.
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Reviews for Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership
As a student of Spertus, I found the Masters of Arts in Jewish Professional Studies to be challenging, engaging, and worthwhile. It has enhanced my personal and professional expertise and helped to build meaningful relationships with other Jewish professionals. The caliber of the professors and the depth of the subjects exceeded my expectations.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I've personally experience the results of this organization in my abilities as a Jewish professional while deepening my personal knowledge of Judaism and Jewish history. Important skills such as working with people, effective leadership, grant writing, and so on were included in the curriculum and have been very effective in practice.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Overall, the graduate program is excellent. Any changes would be regarding details that are not significant to the overall objectives and goals of the organization.
After looking all around the country, I found that a tailored graduate program for Jewish professionals was operating here in my hometown of the Windy City. Spertus is always looking for innovative ways to expand their product of dynamic learning and Jewish discourse, and although at any given moment, students aren't meeting in the building, they are meeting all throughout the Chicago area. For years I attended night classes in the Spertus building, in addition to meetings with academic mentors around the city, and sessions up in the suburbs of Chicago where I work. I feel that this program is specifically designed for working professionals and although we were able to utilize the beautiful Michigan Ave location- it was during the "off" hours that are considerate of a full-time professional's schedule. The impact Spertus has had in the Jewish non profit arena will have a ripple effect on the communities where it is running programs and I'm excited by the existence of a Jewish professional cadre that was trained by this program.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
graduating from the Masters in Jewish Professional Studies program.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
continue to improve and refine their graduate programs to include teaching assistants.
As a graduate of one of Spertus’ Jewish studies program, I can say that the program was extremely challenging and rewarding. The professors were very knowledgeable in their respective fields; some were among the best teachers I have ever had. I learned a great deal about a variety of area of a Jewish life, both contemporary and historical, that have helped shaped my overall thinking today. I also learned practical professional, interpersonal, and management skills. The one-on-one mentoring from high-profile community members provided invaluable individual attention.
To round out my Spertus experience, I took a fundraising course in their non-profit management program, which also challenged me to do creative work and think differently about how I might handle an age-old problem that every non-profit faces.
Five years ago neither graduate school in general nor Spertus in particular was on my radar. Today I am proud have a degree with their name on it. And I am a better person and professional for it.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
their academic work, as well of some of their cultural offerings. (My daughter enjoyed some of their kids' offereings, for example.)
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Continue to try to find ways to partner with other organizations serving the community.
Spertus is a gem in our community, one worthy of polishing and in fact in the midst of being recast (to stretch the analogy) by an expert jeweler, the new president, Hal Lewis. As a Master's degree student in Jewish Professional Studies, I've been impressed by the commitment Spertus has made to serious study of the field. Within the walls of Spertus there is no complacency, but rather a sense of both urgency and excitement about the potential for innovative adult educational programming to enliven the future of Chicago's Jewish community. Spertus--and the serious, smart professionals who now run it--deserve all the support they can muster.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Jewish studies courses.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Find a way to lose the overhead handed to new leadership in the form of a beautiful, new building that was completed just in time for our economic meltdown.
