Submitted by editor on July 24, 2012 - 4:47am
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Congregational Learning
The Jewish Education Project helps congregations create new models of learning to enhance children’s and families’ ability to construct meaningful and purposeful lives rooted in Jewish practice and community. Our networks bring professionals and lay leaders from different congregations together to collaborate and support each other, and our educational consultants identify strategies to enable congregations to reach their goals. By connecting innovators and supporting bold approaches, The Jewish Education Project strengthens congregations’ abilities to create impactful and inspiring models of Jewish learning.
Learn more about our work with congregations:
Coalition of Innovating Congregations
More than 50 synagogues in the New York area, known as the Coalition of Innovating Congregations, are creating a new kind of Jewish education that partners with parents to support children with caring, connections, and values. The Coalition is an initiative of The Jewish Education Project and the Experiment in Congregational Education. Materials and discussion for congregations in the Coalition are available at Innovating Congregations.org.
Learn more about the Coalition below or here.
How we Support Congregations
Congregations in the Coalition benefit from:
Educational Expertise & Leadership:
The Coalition is developing new models of education, designing new kinds of learning, and building new leadership teams.
Professional Development & Consultation:
The Coalition builds networks of colleagues, learns from others, and adapts resources to meet the needs of their families.
Resources & Materials:
The Coalition accesses grant money, consultants, top-notch educators, and resource providers (ERPs).
Members of the Coalition of Innovating Congregations participate in one of three change programs: LOMED, LOMED Chadash, and Express Innovation. Additionally, all congregations in the New York area are invited and encouraged to join professional networks in their regions.
LOMED and LOMED Chadash
LOMED (Learner Outcomes and Measurement for effective Educational Design) and LOMED Chadash support congregations in creating contemporary models of Jewish learning that include families, real life experiences, and community. Congregations receive grant funding to support their innovations, including working with leading educational-resource providers like Hazon, StorahTelling, Teva Learning Center, Facing History, Explora-Torah, Avodah Arts, The Jewish Lens, and Moving Traditions.
Express Innovation
Express Innovation is designed to propel congregations forward in their practice of engaging children and their families in meaningful Jewish learning. Congregations are provided with full access to the blueprints of a variety of new learning models, along with the process to generate change, funding and consultation support. Using data collection, social networks, communication and reflection, congregations are able to jumpstart a pilot learning model quickly and see impact on their children and families.
Networks for Congregational Learning
The Jewish Education Project offers an array of networks for congregational learning. They offer professionals opportunities for deep learning and a systematic sharing of knowledge, expertise, and tools in order to improve practice. Networks meet five to ten times per year for directors, clergy, teachers, and lay leaders.
Current Networks include: NYC Principal's Professional Learning, Long Island Teachers, Long Island Small Programs, Long Island Principals, Long Island Family, Westchester Teachers (Byachad Plus), Westchester Family Learning, Westchester Joint Principals Council, Long Island Lay Leaders, Westchester Lay Leadership, Westchester Mentors, Northern Westchester Small Programs
To learn more about joining a network, please contact an educational consultant in your area:
Long Island: Suri Jacknis, sjacknis@jewishedproject.org, 631.462.8600
New York City: Rabbi Michael Mellen, mmellen@jewishedproject.org, 646.472.5342
Westchester: Rabbi Jennifer Goldsmith, jgoldsmith@jewishedproject.org, 914.328.8090
Program Highlights
- Deepening Jewish Learning through the Art of Conversation
- Teaching Congregations How To Use Video Technology To "Success Out"
- LOMED Congregations Piloting New Models of Jewish Learning
Press:
- The Coalition of Innovating Congregations Hosts Yachdav Celebration on May 9th in New York
- EJewish Philanthropy - How Do You Build an Ecosystem of Jewish Education?
- EdJewTopia—What Exactly are You Trying to Accomplish?
- Sh'ma Journal of Jewish Responsibility—Seamless Learning: New Thinking about Congregational Education
- UJA Federation of New York, Synergy Newsletter Fall 2010—Whole-Person Learning and Assessment: A Worthy Destination and a Way to Correct Course
- The Jewish Week—The Overscheduled Jewish Child
- The Jewish Week—Full-Time Teachers: Can the Model Catch On?
- The Jewish Week—Reimagining Hebrew School
- The Jewish Week—Benefit of Doubt
