Jewish learning Expanding Hebrew College’s MaTaRoT Team

Hebrew College is delighted to announce that earlier this summer, Robin Kahn (below) joined the MaTaRoT team at Hebrew College. Kahn will be facilitating workshops, coaching education directors, and teaching. MaTaRoT: Hebrew College Center for Jewish Professional Learning & Leadership offers graduate certificates, a Master of Jewish Education, non-credit workshops, coaching, communities of practice, project-based learning, and more.

“After 27 years of working in the synagogue world, I have extensive knowledge about how synagogues function. I am excited by the opportunity to support educators as they develop curricula, support their teachers, students, and families, and partner with clergy and board members,” said Kahn.

Kahn earned a B.A. and M.A. from Brandeis University in Modern Jewish History and an Ed.M. from Harvard University in learning and teaching. She also serves as the director of the Undergraduate Fellows Program at Brandeis University’s Mandel Center for Studies in Jewish Education where she mentors and teaches undergraduates teaching in supplementary schools in the Boston area; she also coordinates the Graduate Network for the Mandel Teacher Educator Initiative. Previously, she spent many summers on the hinuch (education) staff at Ramah Sports Academy.

“While I no longer work in a synagogue, I’m excited to share what I have learned through Hebrew College. The College is modeling how the Jewish community can be investing in educators working in part-time Jewish educational settings—and this is important because most American Jewish children are educated in these settings,” added Kahn. “I am a graduate of a synagogue’s religious school education and USY (Adas Israel in Washington, DC) and believe that serious and inspiring Jewish learning and experiences can occur in these settings, as they did for me.”

In her new role, Kahn will have the opportunity to wear a different education hat, coaching some of the teachers she knew during her career working directly with Jewish youth and families. Most recently, she served as the Director of Education and Teen Engagement at Temple Israel of Natick. She previously served as the director of education at Congregation Beth Am Israel in Penn Valley, PA and held educational leadership positions at Temple Emunah in Lexington, MA; Congregation Beth Israel in Andover, MA; and Kesher in Newton, MA.

Her core belief about education is that learning thrives when relationships are established. Relationship-building is at the center of her work. Her commitment and passion for supplemental Jewish education emanate from the belief that this modality allows for, and depends on, extraordinary creativity and energy.

“We know that Robin will bring her passion, creativity, and deep knowledge about teaching and learning and Jewish content as a member of the MaTaRoT team,” said Hebrew College Vice President Susie Tanchel. “She brings the skills, experience, and leadership that will allow us to further strengthen and diversify our MaTaRoT offerings and to thrive in new ways.”

In addition to her work with MaTaRoT, Kahn is the co-director of Hebrew College Me’ah.