by Eran Tamir The Jewish community is blessed with lay leaders, philanthropists and professionals committed to creating vibrant and innovative Jewish learning opportunities across the lifespan. Their relentless efforts have resulted in many exciting new educational initiatives. Still, it is no secret that while we all have great hopes that each one of these initiatives will become a great success and have lasting impact on the field, not all do. Identifying the most effective initiatives is a daunting task, one for which solid evaluation research becomes a must for policymakers and funders. In 2007 I established the DeLeT Longitudinal Survey at the Mandel Center for Studies in Jewish Education at Brandeis University. The project studies and tracks the careers of alumni of DeLeT, a professional … Continue Reading
Covenant Foundation Announces New Grants
The Covenant Foundation today announced nearly $900,000 in new grants as part of its mission to support and advance excellence and impact in Jewish education. The new round of grants underscores a commitment to initiatives across the landscape of Jewish educational experiences, settings and audiences, and propel innovative work in technology, new media, youth engagement and community building through education. Foundation grants are divided into two categories: Signature grants, which provide funding for up to $250,000 for up to five years, and Ignition grants, of up to $20,000 for one year to support new and untested approaches. The grants announced today are part of approximately $1.7 million to be distributed this year. Signature grantees include: The Center for Jewish Living and … Continue Reading
Back to the (Jewish) Future
Back to the (Jewish) Future: The Six Demands of the Next Generation of Lay Leadership by Ben Wiener [Earlier this month, I was named one of the two winners of the 2011 Jewish Futures Competition, sponsored by the Jewish Education Project and JESNA's Lippman Kanfer Institute. As part of the competition, my winning video was shown at the Jewish Futures Conference held at the GA in Denver this past week, and I also presented my venture (tenpartners.org) and my view of the Jewish Future. Here are my remarks.] I’ve been asked to give my view of the Jewish Future. Now I’m not a prophet but it seems to me that at least with regard to young lay leadership the Jewish Future does not look good. You know as well as I do that the numbers are headed in the wrong direction. The Federation had a … Continue Reading
Reminder: Global Day of Jewish Learning is Sunday
The Shema Prayer, this year's theme of the second annual Global Day of Jewish Learning, to be held this Sunday, November 13th, opens with six seemingly small words - words that carry within each segment of each letter a declaration of the bond, principles and identity of the Jewish people. "For the Jewish people, the Shema is a call, a slogan, a sign of identification and an expression of great emotions," says Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz as he explains the choice of theme for this year. "Shema Yisrael, 'Hear O Israel,' has been with us from the very beginning of our history." Around the United States and across the globe - from Oregon to Florida, from Vermont to California, from Latvia to Uruguay, from Canada to China, over 300 events are being held. People in more than 250 communities and in over … Continue Reading
The Importance of Evaluation Research
by Dr. Renae Cohen and Dr. Shira Rosenblatt We were pleased to read the August 29th issue of eJewishPhilanthropy, which focused on the need for data to inform communal dialogue in a number of areas and highlighted some of the good work of JData. The importance of using data to inform has been at the forefront of the work of JESNA’s Berman Center for Research and Evaluation for nearly 20 years. In addition to basic data, we also emphasize the importance of quality evaluation research, which can help us know the impact of programs on participants. The results of evaluation at different stages in the life of programs will help inform and improve program planning and decision-making, and may facilitate promising directions for funding. It is our responsibility to continue to make the evaluation … Continue Reading
Gender Balance in the Jewish Spotlight
by Naomi Less My fans and readers are familiar with inspiring pieces I share that are written by others about gender, sexuality and girl empowerment. But recently, I have been blogging with discouragement about women’s under-representation in Jewish communal endeavors and initiatives. (Click here for the original blog post). Based on four events in the last six months, and the unsatisfactory responses I have received, I am committed to working on this, even as my speaking out comes at some risk to my own musical career. Here is a round-up of recent communal lapses of judgment on the gender front, the suggestions I offered, and the lack of follow-up from some of our communal leaders. Episode 1: November’s Jewish Futures Conference (sponsored by The Jewish Education Project, JESNA's … Continue Reading
An Alternative to the GA … at the GA
by Tilly R. Shames I don’t have any particular artistic talent. I can’t sing in tune. I can barely draw a straight line. As my sporadic tweeting will attest, I also don’t have much technological savvy. And I certainly can’t combine the two to bring any artistic talent to the masses by utilizing technology. Moreover, I don’t have the skills or knowledge to bring my passion for and knowledge of Judaism to the world through the intersection of art and technology. But thankfully there are people who can, and even better, there are forums like the Jewish Futures Conference that bring these talented individuals out and expose them to a field of Jewish leaders, including educators, professionals, entrepreneurs, students and volunteers. As I decompress and unpack the cacophony of … Continue Reading
The Future is Our Teacher
I have glimpsed the future and it is now by David Breakstone “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” An appropriate choice of words for a Chief Ideas Officer, which is what Jonathan Woocher is at the Jewish Education Service of North America. And he aptly borrowed this quote from Alan Kay, computer scientist and visionary, to conclude the Monday morning session on Jewish Futures that he was involved in initiating at the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America. It was a fitting conclusion to a series of exhilarating presentations by eight creative, original and accomplished Jewish innovators of the next generation. In their 20’s and 30’s, they opened a window for the rest of us onto a fantasy land of Jewish community, learning and organizational … Continue Reading
Web 2.0: The Promise of our Children, and the Obligation of Philanthropy
by Joni Blinderman Media multi-tasking defines the world our children inhabit, and educators, philanthropists and communal leaders have the responsibility to guide and encourage integration of the most powerful digital tools with learning. When they gather at the Jewish Futures Conference on Monday to explore dynamic visions of Jewish education, an emerging model will be within view. Just miles away at the New Orleans Jewish Day School, technological innovation and philanthropic vision are transforming an institution shut down after the devastating rage of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. When I entered the field of philanthropy nearly 15 years ago, I found extraordinary role models who practiced the art of strategic grant making in and out of the Jewish world. They inspired with intellectual … Continue Reading
Jewish Communities on Six Continents Prepare for Global Day of Jewish Learning
As momentum builds towards the culmination of Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz's 45-year quest to translate the Talmud, over 256 Jewish communities around the world are planning study programs on the Global Day of Jewish Learning, Sunday, November 7th, to mark the occasion. Rabbi Steinsaltz will address participating communities in a live broadcast from Jerusalem, as he marks the completion of his monumental Talmud commentary translation. This event will celebrate Rabbi Steinsaltz's work and unite the widespread audiences. "The Talmud belongs to all Jews, and not just a special sect or elite group," said Rabbi Steinsaltz. "Through the power of these translations and the power of modern technology, we are awakening Jews to their shared heritage." In more than 80 cities and towns, activities are … Continue Reading
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