Statement Concerning Field-Based Educational Experiences

Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) is highly committed to Field-Based Education Programs as an integral part of the educational process. This commitment is expressed through the institution’s approach to field-based educational experiences, which are designed to be both academically rigorous and practically effective. HUC-JIR Field-Based Education Programs - which include student pulpits, internships, and related placements - aim to foster learning communities that model and teach students ways of thinking, being and doing that are integral in developing their professional identity. These experiences integrate such things as knowledge, skill, moral integrity, religious tradition, and commitment in actual practice, which is the very essence of religious and communal leadership formation.

In partnership with participating synagogues and community-based organizations, field-based educational experiences provide learning laboratories to practice the art and craft of (religious) leadership, including but not limited to the following:

Critical reflection on practice and theology;
Exploration of differing models for ministering to congregants and others;
Examination of the issues of faith and social issues; and
Development of professional identity and skills.

The Learning Agreement

A critical component to HUC-JIR’s Field-Based Education programs is the Learning Agreement. A Learning Agreement is the institution’s official document which outlines the expectations and responsibilities of each party for the semester-long or year-long Field-Based Education placement, student pulpit or internship.

In general, students should be exposed to as much of the day-to-day functioning of the organization as possible. For students working in synagogues, this will often include experience with worship, teaching, youth engagement, committee meetings, social gatherings, and both the pastoral and administrative responsibilities associated with congregational settings.

For HUC-JIR students working in community-based organizations or similar Field-Based Education placement sites, this will often include meeting with clients, participating in the development and/or execution of programs, becoming familiar with administrative aspects of operating the organization, participating in staff meetings and lay committee meetings, and possible exposure to the role that fundraising plays in maintaining vital programming.

Pre-Field Based Educational Experience Workshop

In addition to the Learning Agreement, HUC-JIR encourages its Program Directors / Fieldwork Supervisors - prior to the start of the Field-Based Education placement, student pulpit or internship - to conduct workshops on ethical and other issues that HUC-JIR students might encounter in field placements. These workshops shall be a prerequisite to students’ participation in field placements. They shall be designed both to introduce and address many of the specific issues faced in congregational or organizational settings.

Orientation of HUC-JIR Students at Field-Based Educational Placements

Institutionally, HUC-JIR strongly encourages that students participating in Field-Based Education placements - including student pulpits and internships - be oriented at the field site on the day the placement begins. The objective of this orientation is to familiarize the student with the following:

The organization’s history and mission;
The organizational structure in place at the field placement site and the particular individuals with whom the student will work;
The needs of those being served by the congregation, community-based organization, or other field placement site; and
The organization’s expectations and policies, as well as the student’s rights and responsibilities while engaged in the placement. This will include a review of protocol and procedure concerning harassment, discrimination, personal safety, emergencies, and related circumstances.

The orientation should also address the anticipated workload associated with the placement, which should be consistent with the parameters established by HUC-JIR and the congregation, community-based organization, or other field placement site.

Supervision in Field-Based Educational Placements

Field-Based Education Placement Site Supervisors (hereafter referenced as the “Placement Site Supervisor”) may include ordained clergy (rabbis and cantors), chaplains, counselors, pastoral care directors, teachers and educators, administrators, social workers, advocates and activists, some of whom pursue vocations in congregational settings and others in non-congregational settings such as hospitals, community-based programs, school settings (primary, secondary, and higher education), governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations and other diverse types of organizations. Whether supervising an HUC-JIR student in a congregational or non-congregational setting, the Placement Site Supervisor is critical to the success of the field-based educational placement.

All Placement Site Supervisors are expected to have:

A thorough understanding of HUC-JIR’s mission and philosophy, as well as working knowledge of the institution’s approach to Field-Based Education and the objectives of this aspect of the students’ training;
A desire to work collaboratively with HUC-JIR staff who oversee field-based placement and the ability to ensure open communication with both the student and HUC-JIR staff;
The ability and willingness to engage the HUC-JIR student participating in Field-Based Education as a “colleague in training”;
A commitment to participate in any required Orientation and/or Training developed by the College- Institute, to adhere to all of the requirements of HUC-JIR Field-Based Education Placement Programs and to conform to HUC-JIR policy relating to behavioral conduct, including policies prohibiting discrimination, harassment and similarly offensive and potentially illegal conduct.

Professional Ethics

The Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) expects all Placement Site Supervisors, clergy, educators, social workers and other professionals with whom our students work in Field-Based Education Placements to conduct themselves in accordance with the highest standards of professional and personal ethics. HUC-JIR students are expected to conduct themselves in a similar manner.

Adhering to such ethical standards involves a commitment to behaving in an honest way and with integrity, manifest in simple actions such as keeping one’s word and following through on commitments. For the student this is exemplified by arriving at the field placement on time and prepared to work, offering the time and energy expected in the Field-Based Education Placement, and presenting one’s best effort. The Placement Site Supervisor demonstrates comparable integrity by respecting the agreed upon parameters of the placement and by focusing her/his best efforts on the student.