Tools for Shuls is a blog by Rabbi Hayim Herring  who is using the content for writing a book to be published by The Alban Institute entitled Tools for Shuls: A Guide to Make Over Your Synagogue. In the spirit of innovation and community, this blog gives you a chance to comment on the posts, which he will use to shape the book. While the book has the title “synagogue” in it, anyone who works in churches and non-profit organizations, and cares about subjects like engaging volunteers, organizational change and non-profit leadership, will find the blog valuable.

Read Hayim's blog at www.ToolsforShuls.com.

Website for educators to learn about and discuss best practices on technology and learning, participate in webinars and forums, and find more great resources. Visit Tech&Learning at www.techLearning.com.

he Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, Israel, a non-profit educational organization offering Jewish education, curriculum, and rabbinic training to Jews throughout Israel, Europe and the former Soviet Union through four programs, announces a six-lecture series, “LA Goes the Distance,” conducted via live video conference from Israel and featuring the distinguished faculty of the Schechter Institute. Prominent Los Angeles rabbis are hosting the series at the American Jewish Committee’s L.A. headquarters, and will moderate a real-time dialogue between the Schechter professor in Israel and the participants in LA. Each lecture explores a particular issue affecting contemporary Jewish life, utilizing both ancient and modern texts.

“Video conferencing enables Schechter scholars to teach anywhere,” explains Lou Miller, Co-Chairman of the Los Angeles Friends of Schechter. “We developed ‘LA Goes the Distance’ to bring together great minds from across the globe to engage in discourse, creating a dynamic, relevant learning experience.”

Bruce Whizin, Co-Chairman, enthusiastically adds, “With interactive long distance learning, the L.A. Jewish community can enjoy one Sunday morning each month studying with one of Schechter’s renowned scholars. Coming together as Jews to exchange ideas strengthens our connections – to each other in our large L.A. community and to Israel.”

Rabbi Joel Rembaum, Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Beth Am in Los Angeles continues, “I’m pleased to host the opening lecture January 10th. Rabbi David Golinkin, president of the Schechter Institutes and unquestionably one of this generation’s foremost Jewish thinkers, examines Judaism and ecology, a deeply meaningful subject for us to explore. Our tradition has very powerful and relevant messages addressing how humans have a God-given responsibility to sustain the physical well being and beauty of our planet, even as we use her bounty to live.”

Continue reading at www.earthtimes.org.

Educational Leadership: Literacy 2.0

Being able to read and write multiple forms of media and integrate them into a meaningful whole is the new hallmark of literacy.

It is no coincidence that the words letter and literacy look alike. When the concept of a literate person arose centuries ago, it referred to those few who were considered educated, precisely because they "knew the letters."¹ To this day, the prevailing definition of a literate person is still someone who has the ability to read, write, and understand words.

Yet the word literacy rarely appears by itself anymore. Public narrative embraces a number of specialty literacies, including math literacy, research literacy, and even citizenship literacy, to name a few. Understanding the evolving nature of literacy is important because it enables us to understand the emerging nature of illiteracy as well. After all, regardless of the literacy under consideration, the illiterate get left out.

At the epicenter of the evolving nature of literacy is digital literacy, the term du jour used to describe the skills, expectations, and perspectives involved in living in a technological society. How has digital literacy evolved in the 25 years since digital tools began appearing in classrooms? And how can we make it more responsive to our present needs?

Continue reading about the publication, including the eight new media guidelines for teachers, here at www.ascd.org.