Celebrating a New Generation of Jewish Leaders: The DeLeT Credential Program Culmination Ceremony

On Friday, July 19, the DeLeT Cohort 22, Tekkes Siyyum, culmination ceremony, took place at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in Los Angeles. This ceremony marked the completion of a significant journey for seven dedicated individuals who are now ready to take on teaching positions in Jewish day schools.

DeLeT, which stands for Day School Leadership through Teaching, is a distinguished program at HUC-JIR. The program offers a comprehensive 13-month curriculum designed to equip future educators with a multi-subject California teaching credential and a certification in Day School Education. Throughout the program, participants gain core knowledge, essential skills, and engage in professional development that prepares them for successful teaching careers.

The structure of the DeLeT program is both rigorous and immersive. Participants engage in a full-time, paid teaching residency at a Jewish day school in California, while also observing in public school settings. The program includes an intensive four-week summer session on the HUC-JIR campus in Los Angeles before and after the academic year. During the school year, students attend online classes two evenings a week, allowing them to balance hands-on teaching experience with academic study.

Graduates of the DeLeT program work towards earning their California Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and a Certificate in Day School Teaching. This dual focus ensures that they are well-prepared to meet the diverse needs of their future students.

The culmination ceremony celebrated the hard work and achievements of the seven newest alumni of the DeLeT program. Friends, family, colleagues, and members of Cohort 22 gathered to honor these individuals as they embark on their teaching careers.

"The Torah encourages us to not only count people as numbers, but to see each person for the unique and special human that they are. This is what DeLeT has done for the teachers who sit before you today. Each teacher we have had, has held us accountable, seen us for who we are, and listened to us deeply."
- Margo Pellmar '24, DeLet Graduate

The graduates recognized at the ceremony included:

• Fiona Breslin
• Lily S. Danziger
• Leorre Lukowiecki
• Yarden Mazor
• Margo B. Pellmar
• Morgan L. Polhemus
• Benjamin L. Rudy

"These seven new teachers are entering the teaching profession at a moment of great challenge for Jewish day schools and for the world around us," said Lauren Applebaum, E.D., Director of the DeLet Programs. "I'm inspired by their skill, passion, and commitment to their future students and to their own growth."

These new educators are now poised to make significant contributions to Jewish education, bringing with them the knowledge, skills, and passion they have developed through the DeLeT program. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and look forward to the positive impact they will have in their communities.

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