Ultimately, caring about the holistic student necessitates prioritizing identity development over textual engagement. While the two do not mutually exclude each other, the notion that Judaism bases its construct exclusively on text loses the core of community and the soul of the individual.
HaKaveret Designer, Ruchel Green, is a teacher and technology specialist at the Silver Spring Learning Center in Silver Spring, Maryland. She brings an interesting perspective to the work group as the only designer working in early education.
Recently, eJewishPhilanthropy published an article about Jewish literacy. We wanted to share this article because it underlines two JEIC focus points.
We encourage you to read the full article and share your thoughts.
What do you find most enjoyable about working in Jewish education?
I think that Jewish day school education is one of the bed rocks of the Jewish community, and to be able to spend each day trying to make it better and more accessible is something I'm really lucky to be able to do.
In Rabbi Goldberg’s recent blog post, he argues that, contrary to popular belief, Rabbinics as a study does not require text; it actually begins with the youngest, pre-literate learners in the form of Jewish values, holidays and traditions. He posits that neglecting to acknowledge that these rituals and ideals come from rabbinic understandings and teaching them in a more deliberate manner is doing a disservice to these young students. I agree, and would expand upon that even further.
Chevy Chase, MD (November 30, 2017) - The Jewish Education Innovation Challenge (JEIC), sponsored in part by the Mayberg Foundation, is soliciting proposals to pilot innovative educational models in Jewish day schools. The objective is to identify and fund experimentation with new methodologies that foster and reward student effort and enthusiasm, teacher proficiency, and school effectiveness in creating the next generation of Jews.
Last month, we shared the exciting news about launching HaKaveret: JEIC Team Challenge. HaKaveret will convene a group of ten talented, creative and motivated individuals from around the country to form an innovation design team with a focus on creating a new vision in Jewish education.
In 2013, JEIC awarded Shalhevet High School $50,000 for their "LaHaV" project. Their goal was to revolutionize how Jewish high school students relate to their heritage by reimagining how to communicate the richness and relevance of Judaic studies. We are proud to report that Shalhevet has been doing just that. As of this academic year, their innovative curriculum is rolling out in three other schools in the United States, as well as one in Melbourne. Recently featured in Jewish Journal, Shalhevet's curriculum is truly inventive. We look forward to their continued success. Click here to read the full Jewish Journal article.
Teacher development is directly linked to teacher retention and effectiveness. So why doesn’t teacher development get the attention it so desperately needs? A misunderstood and difficult topic, teacher development should aim to create culture, not simply teach teachers.
The Jewish Education Innovation Challenge announced today that is has launched a new initiative aimed at revitalizing Jewish day schools through reintroducing the dynamic of beneficent experimentation. For the first time, HaKaveret: JEIC Team Challenge will convene a group of talented, creative and motivated individuals from around the country to form an innovation design team with a focus on creating a new vision in Jewish education.
JEIC is seeing more and more courageous, innovative educators making strides towards transforming schools. Steve Freedman, the head of school at Hillel Day School of Metropolitan Detroit, is an example of this type of new leader.
We don’t need to compare our students to each other. We need to compare them to themselves. If everyone has mastered the material, has internalized and connected with it and can take it home with them, then everyone succeeds.
Parents send their children to Jewish day schools in order to instill in them a strong Jewish identity. The theory is that, through the teaching of Jewish subjects, they will achieve an understanding of Jewish tradition, an internalization of Jewish values and a sense of Jewish pride. For decades, we have all assumed that this works. But what if there’s a better way?
Jewish Education Innovation Challenge announced today a new initiative it will launch with the help of three new partners. The new initiative represents the third phase of JEIC’s mission to revolutionize the Jewish day school education system, reigniting a passion for Jewish learning in the next generation.
