Third Cohort of Birthright Israel Fellows Ready to Raise Level of Excellence
“Observing and learning with a range of expert educators makes it so much easier to utilize different educational approaches and styles on Birthright Israel trips,” says Judith Wertheim, a member of Cohort 3 and Associate Regional Director of BBYO Ohio Northern Region. “As a trip leader and in my job with BBYO, different moments call for different strategies – sometimes I need to lead the entire group through an exercise; other times I need to facilitate personal reflection time. Birthright Israel Fellows examines all kinds of scenarios so we can help trip participants have the best and most personally meaningful moments possible.”
Launched in 2014, Birthright Israel Fellows was developed after research demonstrated that the strength of the educational staff is a key factor in determining the quality of the trip.
The majority of all Fellows from across North America are either professionally or personally – and in many cases, both – leaders, educators, and connectors in their Jewish communities. Birthright Israel Fellows accepts up to one hundred participants, aged 22 and above, into the program every six months. Along with the in-person seminar, Birthright Israel Fellows includes an online learning component and additional resources in experiential Jewish education. The Fellows now are part of a network of colleagues who have increased their expertise in leadership and teaching practices, as well as their knowledge of Israel and the worldwide Jewish community.
Cohort 3 participants will begin staffing trips this winter. For more information visit: birthrightisraelfellows.com.