An educational beit midrash as a bridge between religious and secular identity

בתי מדרש דתיים -חילונים חינוך לימוד פלורליזם תנ"ך תרבות יהודית

This qualitative-phenomenological study investigates the impact of the educational beit midrash on the professional and personal development of Bible teachers in Israel. Through in-depth interviews with 17 educators, the researchers explore how this unique learning setting - characterized by multidimensional engagement with Jewish and modern Hebrew texts - serves as a bridge between religious and secular identities. The findings reveal that the pedagogical space of the educational beit midrash is pluralistic, egalitarian, and based on collaborative interdisciplinary learning. The study highlights how this method allows for intellectual freedom and introspection, helping learners form a stronger Jewish-Israeli identity and a sense of belonging to both their immediate and broader communities. Ultimately, the article argues that the beit midrash model offers a significant framework for teacher training by fostering deep, inquisitive dialogue that transcends traditional orthodox limitations and predetermined educational goals.