[SVARA] Pedagogy Chaburah: Cohort 3 - Application Form

SVARA’s Pedagogy Chaburah is a rigorous learning opportunity for queer and trans rabbis and educators working in Jewish communities. This space nurtures those who are seeking to expand their pedagogical toolkits to include SVARA’s empowering (and traditionally radical) approach to teaching Talmud. 

The program will include learning in SVARA’s method, sessions on pedagogy and practical skill-building, and a practicum for participants to practice-teach their own experimental course utilizing elements of SVARA’s methodology. 

The Pedagogy Chaburah will run from November 7th, 2024 through June 5th, 2025 and includes a weekly commitment of approximately three hours of learning (synchronous shiur, readings, independently scheduled chevruta, and practice teaching). 

November 7 - December 19, 2024

Participants will be enrolled in a weekly bet midrash with SVARA’s learning community, and additionally will participate in reflection sessions as a cohort every other week: 

  • Learning in the bet midrash (2-3 hrs / week), likely Monday or Tuesday evenings from 7:00-9:00 PM EST

  • Bi-weekly learning as a cohort (2 hrs every other week), most likely Thursday daytime from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EST

January 16 - February 13, 2025

Participants will engage in weekly sessions focused on pedagogy, grounding in SVARA’s methodology, and scaffolding to support the implementation of practice-teaching:

  • Weekly sessions as a cohort (2 hrs /week), most likely Thursday daytime from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EST

March - May 2025

Implement & teach a self-directed practicum with observation and mentorship (no synchronous shiurim) 

May 15 - June 5, 2025

Participants will engage in weekly reflection sessions, exploring the impact of practice-teaching and the means to integrate the experience into an ongoing teaching practice:

  • Weekly sessions as a cohort (2 hrs /week), most likely Thursday daytime from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EST


This learning space is for folks who:

  • have previously learned Talmud with SVARA 

  • have experience learning rabbinic texts in the original beyond the intermediate level (can study texts in SVARA’s method in chevruta without the use of Hint Sheets, can recognize and identify binyanim, have the ability to decode Rashi script)

  • are experienced educators/facilitators (have 3+ experience as teachers/facilitators - not necessarily in teaching Talmud)

  • lead with self-awareness, groundedness, humility, and mentschiness

  • are committed to acknowledging and interrogating mechanisms of power and inequality in the world and the bet midrash

  • are currently serving in a regular teaching role (in professional and/or community settings) where they will have the opportunity to explore incorporating elements of SVARA’s pedagogy & practice into their learning spaces


About the Registration Process

We aim to treat all applications with the care and love that is foundational to our community at SVARA, as well as to create maximally transparent application processes. We encourage you to have a conversation with Bronwen before submitting your application to see if this program is a good fit for you and your learning at this time. Click this link to schedule time to connect with Bronwen!

Your application will be reviewed by our admissions team, which includes Rabbi Bronwen Mullin (SVARA Faculty Member & Pedagogy Chaburah Lead Teacher), Olivia Devorah Tucker (SVARA Program Coordinator & Pedagogy Chaburah Fairy), and Ayana Morse (SVARA’s Executive Director). We will be prioritizing strong applicants who hold under-represented identities as we work to create a cohort of approximately 16 people who reflect the dynamic, dazzling diversity of our community.

Please complete and submit this form by May 20th, 2024. You should expect to hear back from us by June 5th, 2024.


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Email *
Name *
What identities do you hold that you feel comfortable sharing? *
This program seeks to grant access to learning and rigorous pedagogy training to rabbis and educators who hold under-represented identities in Jewish leadership, with a particular emphasis on folks who are Jews of Color, Black, disabled, neurodivergent, and/or trans. As with all learning at SVARA, this space will be a queer-normative learning space.
Teaching & Learning Experience
What is your experience studying Talmud/​Rabbinic Literature in the original?
What is your experience as a SVARA learner?
In which spaces, institutions, and roles are you currently teaching or serving as an educator, facilitator, or community leader?
Please share a short bio of 3-5 sentences. (Once the cohort is assembled, we'll share everyone's bios with each other so you can get to know who's in the crew!)
Application Questions
Please answer the following questions in approximately 350 words each to help us better understand your teaching practice and experience.
1) Why do you learn & teach Jewish text? What do you love about it, and what is challenging about it?
2) SVARA is a yeshiva committed to centering queer experiences and historically marginalized voices. Why is that important to you personally?
3) Please respond to the criteria listed below. Which of these pieces do you feel you strongly represent? Where do you see your growing edges?

This learning space is for queer educators who:

  • have previously learned Talmud with SVARA 

  • have experience learning rabbinic texts in the original beyond the intermediate level (can study texts in SVARA’s method in chevruta without the use of Hint Sheets, can recognize and identify binyanim, ability to decode Rashi script)

  • are experienced educators/facilitators (have 3+ years of experience as teachers/facilitators)

  • lead with self-awareness, groundedness, humility, and mentschiness

  • are committed to acknowledging and interrogating mechanisms of power and inequality in the world and the bet midrash

  • are interested and invested in incorporating SVARA’s pedagogy & practice into their learning spaces in some way

  • are currently serving in a regular teaching role/space where they will have the opportunity to explore incorporating elements of SVARA’s pedagogy & practice into their learning spaces

4) This learning space is designed to support experienced educators and rabbis in building their teaching toolkit and incorporating SVARA-method learning into their teaching in a wide range of ways. Where /​ in what capacity might you like to explore incorporating SVARA's pedagogy in your teaching? 
I have reviewed the dates & times for weekly sessions above and am available during the listed times. Please make any notes about the outlook of your availability in "Other"
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