Sosland Online Resource Center
Complementary Education
Innovation in Jewish Education Blog Featured
Innovation in Jewish Education (IJE) is the blog of the Office of High School Programs at Brandeis University. The IJE draws upon BIMA and Genesis, Brandeis University’s two summer programs for high school students, that service as living laboratories. Experiential Jewish education is at the heart of IJE's work; blog posts from a plethora of Jewish Educational leaders cover topics relating to all aspects of informal/experiential education and Jewish youth.
- Interactive Resources - Blogs
Teva Seminar on Jewish Environmental Education Featured
Teva's 15th annual summer seminar on Jewish environmental education will take place June 7-10, 2010, at beautiful Surprise Lake Camp in Cold Spring, NY. Participants can choose from four different tracks: Congregational Education, Ethics and Texts, Camp and Wilderness, or Organic Agriculture and Educational Gardening. Sponsored by the Jewish National Fund, the Teva Learning Center's mission is to renew the ecological wisdom inherent in Judaism. By immersing participants in the natural world and providing structured activities which sensitize them to nature's rhythms, participants develop a more meaningful relationship with nature and their own Jewish practices.
- Organizations - National and International Organizations
- Events - Conference Websites
Webinar-- "Teaching Mishna: Problems and Creative Solutions" Featured
Join MOFET JTEC on Wednesday, February 17th for this free webinar on challenges and solutions in teaching Mishna, presented by Rabbi Dr. Avraham Walfish. Instructions for registering for this live online encounter can be found at the MOFET JTEC website listed above.
- Interactive Resources - Webinars
"Eight Up" The College Years: the Jewish Engagement of Young Adults Raised in Conservative Synagogues, 1995-2003
A study by Ariela Keysar and Barry A. Kosmin. "Eight Up" is a follow up on the study "Four up: The High School Years," examining the same group of students after they have lived away from home, independent of parental influence and expectations. 'Eight Up' The College Years: 1995-2003 (Link)
- Research Reports and Studies
"Four Up" The High School Years: The Jewish Identity Development of the B'nai Mitzvah Class of 5755, 1995-1999
A study by Ariela Keysar and Barry A. Kosmin examining teens who are educated by the Conservative movement. The study tracks religious, social and cultural attitudes and behavior of nearly fifteen hundred adolescents four years after they celebrated their b'nai mitzvah. 'Four Up' The College Years: 1995-1999 (Link)
- Research Reports and Studies
@jesna.org - Spring 2002
The spring 2002 issue of JESNA's former newsletter, both print and electronic. @jesna.org, Spring 2002 (703.32 kB)
- Newsletters - @jesna.org
@jesna.org - Summer 2003
The summer 2003 issue of JESNA's former newsletter, both print and electronic. @jesna.org, Summer 2003 (2.02 MB)
- Newsletters - @jesna.org
A Census of Jewish Supplementary Schools in the United States 2006-2007
A significant percentage of Jewish students in the United States receiving a Jewish education are enrolled in programs that meet on weekends and/or late weekday afternoons when their full day public or private schools are not in session. No single term covers the range of these programs, which are variously referred to as religious schools, Hebrew schools, congregational schools, and more recently as "complementary schools," - i.e. they complement the education offered in public or private schools. Most commonly these programs are known as supplementary schools.This report presents the findings of the first census of supplementary school enrollment in over a quarter century. It offers key findings and implications for educators and policy makers. A Census of Jewish Supplementary Schools in the United States 2006-2007 (Link)
- Research Reports and Studies
A Vision for Excellence - Report of the Task Force on Congregational and Communal Jewish Education
A JESNA report from August 2000 examining the state of "supplementary" or part-time Jewish education. The task force was convened to assess the current system and propose new ways to strengthen congregational and communal education. A Vision for Excellence - Report of the Task Force on Congregational and Communal Jewish Education (345.71 kB)
- Research Reports and Studies - Task Force Reports
ADCA Webinar: A Discussion with Jack Wertheimer
A webinar for the members of ADCA (Association of Directors of Central Agencies for Jewish Education), presented as a discussion with Jack Wertheimer on the topic of his publication Schools That Work: What We Can Learn From Good Jewish Supplementary Schools. Watch the full webinar here. Discussion with Jack Wertheimer (PowerPoint presentation) (643.5 kB)
- Presentations
- Interactive Resources - Webinars
Agenda: Jewish Education, Congregational and Communal Education
Issue No. 15 of Agenda: Jewish Education, a JESNA publication. Agenda: Jewish Education is a catalyst for informed dialogue around policy issues related to Jewish education. Agenda: Jewish Education seeks to actively engage lay and professional decision makers from across the spectrum of Jewish education institutions, organizations and federations by means of published articles, forums and online discussions. Agenda: Jewish Education, Congregational and Communal Education (389.47 kB)
- Newsletters - Agenda: Jewish Education
Alban Roundtable Blog
The Alban Institute was founded in 1974 as a major resource for American congregations facing the challenges of a changing society. While today's challenges are even more pressing than they were three decades ago, the opportunities have never been clearer for congregations to be vital communities of faith, health, and leadership. Alban stands at the forefront of knowledge and experience regarding congregational vitality and positive trends across denominations and faith traditions. The Alban Roundtable Blog is a means by which to convey thoughts and display resources; it is a place where ideas are respected and many perspectives are gathered. The Alban Institute seeks to develop strong congregational leaders who have the creativity, the endurance, and the joy to do the work needed to fulfill their particular congregations' callings.
- Interactive Resources - Blogs
American Jewish Religious Denominations
Report 10 in the UJC Series on the National Jewish Population Survey 2000-01. This report examines denominational identity in two ways: self-identification (including those who call themselves "just Jewish") and synagogue membership. Overall denominational population estimates and percentages are provided, as are trends involving switching into and out of the various movements. Detailed comparisons between denominational categories are then given, as are selected comparisons between self-identified and synagogue Jews by denominational category. The final section consists of analytic conclusions and selected policy questions raised by the denominational findings in the preceding sections. American Jewish Religious Denominations (Link)
- Research Reports and Studies
Audio Discussion of Schools That Work: What We Can Learn From Good Jewish Supplementary Schools
An audio file of Jack Wertheimer talking about the report Schools That Work: What We Can Learn From Good Jewish Supplementary Schools.
Auerbach Central Agency for Jewish Education of Greater Philadelphia, Organizational Development, Excerpts from the School Committee Manual
Includes resources on selection of school committee members, tips for running effective meetings, sample agenda, sample minutes, checklist for successful schools.
- Handbooks and Guides
CO-STAR Blog
A blog accompanying the STAR PEER program.From the blog: "For us, CO-STAR best reflects our belief that through partnership with our readers, we can together share our insights about synagogue life-the good and the bad, the creative with long-term potential and what seems to be an interesting fad. While respecting what's working, we want CO-STAR to challenge us to think how synagogues can reach and touch a more diverse Jewish community. Our goal in creating this blog is to be a conversation starter. We hope our posts will give you something to think about and hopefully a desire to share your thoughts with us. We hope you will join our conversation and visit us often."
- Interactive Resources - Blogs
Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education (CAJE)
CAJE is the largest North American Jewish educators' organization, bringing together all who are engaged in the transmission of the Jewish heritage, across the ideological spectrum and at all levels of the career ladder. By enhancing the dignity and professional development of the Jewish teacher, CAJE works to elevate the status of Jewish education on the Jewish communal agenda.
- Organizations - National and International Organizations
Compendium of Complementary School Alternative Models/Programs
A Compendium of programs and models in complementary Jewish education that extend beyond the traditional models. The compendium focuses on 32 programs that exhibit substantial change in terms of time when the program meets, physical space, content or curriculum, teaching methodology, educator, auspices or sponsorship of the program, and the learners. Compendium of Complementary School Alternative Models/Programs (464.65 kB)
- Articles
Compendium of Complementary School Change Initiatives
A listing of change initiatives in the field of complementary Jewish education. Lists information about each initiative, including program goals, process, criteria for participation, and evaluation. Compendium of Complementary School Change Initiatives (2.87 MB)
- Handbooks and Guides
- Reference
Compendium of Synagogue School Change Initiatives - Rubric
Rubric used to create the Compendium of Complementary School Change Initiatives. Compendium of Synagogue School Change Initiatives - Rubric (40 kB)
- Handbooks and Guides
- Reference