The Menachem Education Foundation (MEF) has launched a revamped website for the Zekelman Standards for Chumash, presenting a fresh, accessible, and user-friendly platform for educators worldwide. This significant update marks a new chapter for the Standards, which have been pivotal in shaping Chumash education since their inception in 2014.
Rabbi Zalman Shneur, Executive Director of MEF, highlighted the importance of this development, stating, “The new Zekelman Standards website is part of our commitment to providing Mechanchim and Mechanchos with the best tools to facilitate their vital role in Chinuch. We believe that by making these resources more accessible, we can significantly enhance the quality of Chumash education around the world.”
The Zekelman Standards for Chumash set benchmarks for student mastery of text-based Chumash learning at each grade level from first through eighth grade. Authored and reviewed by leading educators, these Standards aim to foster independent and inspired lifelong learning in every student. Over the past decade, thousands of teachers have utilized the Zekelman Standards, impacting well over 10,000 students globally. The older version of the website had over 800 registered users from a diverse array of Yeshiva and day schools from across the Jewish spectrum.
The redesigned Zekelman Standards website now offers an open-access model, eliminating the barrier of login requirements and making it more inclusive for educators. Resources are more easily accessible than ever, empowering teachers to enhance their Chumash instruction with clarity and ease. This accessibility is crucial in achieving MEF’s goal of providing support to all educators, regardless of their location or affiliation, and enabling them to elevate their Chumash lessons and curricula.
The Zekelman Standards for Chumash ensure student success by equipping teachers with the knowledge and resources to set clear learning goals and track student progress. These Standards facilitate a shift from merely covering content to teaching students how to learn. They enable skill-based instruction, transparent assessment, and can be adapted across various grade levels and school types.
By providing clear curriculum maps, authentic assessments, class-wide and individual student analysis, and actionable plans, the Zekelman Standards create an environment where every student can thrive in their Chumash studies. Schools can adopt these Standards incrementally, focusing on one standard or skill area, or embracing the entire set for comprehensive curriculum development.
MEF also offers consultation and professional development to ensure the successful implementation of the Zekelman Standards. This year, MEF consultant Dr. Sara Rosenfeld is working intensively with four schools in the U.S., Canada and Australia for total implementation of the Standards. The website also features a free Deployment Guide, supporting educators who want to adopt these transformative educational tools on their own.
Mrs. Chanah Rose, Educational Director at MEF, emphasized the significance of the Standards and their timely relaunch, stating, “Celebrating Shavuos and the receiving of the Torah, we are reminded of our goal to unlock the ability to access Torah for all students. The Torah is meant to be learned and understood independently, and the Zekelman Standards help achieve this for every student.”
The Zekelman Standards for Chumash are made possible by the generosity of Mr. Alan and Lori Zekelman. To explore the Standards and learn more, visit Zekelman Standards.
