by Mark S. Young As we begin 2012, I predict that experiential education in the Jewish world will continue to be a hot topic. Last month, I attended the Union for Reform Judaism’s Biennial where Jon Woocher, Chief Ideas Officer at JESNA (I love his title), continued to press the importance of creating “immersive and meaningful experiences” within Jewish education to be successful in transmitting Jewish knowledge and engaging the next generation in Jewish life. Given this, we must not only address the question of what makes for excellent Jewish experiential education. Perhaps more important, how do we know a great Jewish experiential educator when we see one and how do we train these future educators for success? To substantiate definitive answers is a daunting task, primarily since the … Continue Reading
Survey Finds Strong Israel-Related Attitudes among Both JTS-Ordained Rabbis and JTS Rabbinical Students
The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) has released a new survey of JTS-ordained rabbis and current rabbinical students showing continued strong attachment to Israel among both the students and their older colleagues. Conducted by Professor Steven M. Cohen, the survey - “JTS Rabbis and Israel, Then and Now: The 2011 Survey of JTS Ordained Rabbis and Current Students” - demonstrates that current JTS rabbinical students are no less passionate about Israel and their connection to the Jewish state than their older counterparts, JTS-ordained rabbis. (Read the complete study.) “In light of widespread concern in our community (which I share) about decreasing attachment on the part of younger North American Jews to Israel, and concomitant concern about weakening bonds to Israel and the Jewish people … Continue Reading
JTS Launches Milstein Center for Interreligious Dialogue
The Jewish Theological Seminary has announced the establishment of the Milstein Center for Interreligious Dialogue (MCID), funded with a $2 million gift from New York philanthropist Howard Milstein and the Paul Milstein family. The Milsteins have a long history of engagement with the school and the gift marks the second generation of relationship between the Milsteins and JTS. “The new center will expand the long commitment of JTS to interreligious dialogue and partnership and enable us to highlight an annual schedule of distinct programs that range in complexity and content,” said Rabbi Burton L. Visotzky, who will be director of the Milstein Center. Rabbi Visotzky is the Appleman Professor of Midrash and Interreligious Studies at JTS. He has been active in interreligious dialogue for more … Continue Reading
Schechter Day Schools Reinvent Identity
The Solomon Schechter Day School Association - rebranded as the Schechter Day School Network - has announced the launch of a renewed sense of purpose as it embarks on a future that will further engage parents and alumni in Schechter students’ learning process and the overall Schechter experience and attract new enrollment. Eleven Schechter schools in the Tri-State New York, New Jersey and Connecticut area formed a collaborative consortium to launch this new initiative honing in on the schools’ signature pedagogy: preparing students to engage the world. Along with developing its new identity, the association changed its name to the Schechter Day School Network. “This exciting grassroots initiative is great for all the Schechter schools in the consortium,” said Dr. Elaine Cohen, … Continue Reading
JTS School of Ed to Launch New Semester-in-Israel Program
In January 2012, The Jewish Theological Seminary’s (JTS) William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education will inaugurate Kesher Hadash (New Connection), a new and innovative Semester-in-Israel program in the field of Israel Education. Kesher Hadash will offer an opportunity for ten students to spend five months in Israel and take part in a 12-credit, Israel Education curriculum that includes traditional and experiential ulpans; mifgash (encounters) with Israeli teachers and citizens; volunteer opportunities; day trips; and courses on Zionism and Israel in contemporary education. The landmark program will be geared toward first-year students in The Davidson School’s master’s degree programs and students who will join the programs in fall 2012, and will result in a certificate in Israel … Continue Reading
New Master’s Concentration in Israel Education Launched
In a new partnership, six American academic institutions are teaming up to offer their graduate students a Master’s Concentration Program in Israel education. Selected students will study a common curriculum, gather together for eight colloquium days, receive ongoing individual mentoring, and create their own learning experience in Israel. Students are also expected to be proficient in Hebrew by the end of the program. The program will be coordinated by The iCenter, a national nonprofit whose aim is to dramatically enhance pre-collegiate Israel education in North America. Set to launch this May, the program is recruiting for its inaugural cohort of 18 students from: Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education at Yeshiva University Davidson School of Jewish Education at the Jewish … Continue Reading
The Jewish Theological Seminary to Present: GenNext: Religious Leadership 40 and Under
The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) will host an interreligious panel discussion entitled “GenNext: Religious Leadership 40 and Under” on Monday, February 28, at 7:30 p.m., at 3080 Broadway (at 122nd Street) in New York City. Soon-to-be rabbis, ministers, priests, imams, doctoral students, lawyers, and other young religious leaders will gather to engage one another in discussion, and to network and enjoy the 40-and-under community of religious leadership in metropolitan New York. The event is being presented under the auspices of the Louis Finkelstein Institute for Religious and Social Studies of JTS. GenNext panelists will include Valarie Kaur (Sikh, law student at Yale University and filmmaker), Haroon Moghul (Muslim, PhD student at Columbia University and executive director of the Maydan … Continue Reading
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Unveils Reinvention Strategy
In an effort to redesign the Conservative Synagogue movement in North America, the USCJ - in coordination with Hayom - have come together with a consensus plan for the future. The plan emphasizes not only a new way of doing things, but change, responsiveness and transparency. Addressed is the way Conservative Judaism see itself and presents itself, change in the way United Synagogue interacts with kehillot/synagogues, brands itself, and a new approach to movement education - in schools, camps and with their youth movements. It stresses USCJ’s commitment to total openness, to providing every opportunity for feedback, and to developing movement consensus. Organizationally this plan will manifest in USCJ operational change, in downsizing, in new governance, in a new leadership and a new means of … Continue Reading
The Future of Jewish Scholarship
Jewish Studies Rises, but We Pay the Price an opinion piece by Jacob Neusner The flourishing of Jewish studies at secular American universities in recent decades is a remarkable and profoundly important development. As students return to their campuses, it is not only those who attend Yeshiva University, Hebrew Union College or the Jewish Theological Seminary who will have access to high-level teaching and scholarship on Jewish topics. Secular academic institutions have gained unprecedented endowments for their professorships and programs in Jewish studies. The tens of millions of dollars that have supported the new professorships, programs and post-doctoral study centers in Jewish studies have bought a place in academia for anything Jewish, with the priorities set by the secular … Continue Reading
Rebuilding Our Global Jewish Family
As 5771 approaches, some thoughts from Dan Brown, eJewish Philanthropy's founder: The face of Jewish philanthropy is continually changing and only time will tell if we are in the midst of evolution or a revolution. Philanthropy, which has always been a powerful force in the Jewish community, is - once again - witnessing a significant shift in both perception and management. Today’s philanthropists are more proactive, draw on a wide range of resources and seek greater efficiency and effectiveness. They also appear to be taking a longer-range view of their individual, or institutional, giving. Our Jewish organizational world is changing. Storied organizations as diverse as the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), the Jewish Theological Seminary and the World Jewish Congress are just three of the … Continue Reading
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