From RJ.org: News & Views for Reform Jews:
by Rabbi Paul Kipnes
originally published on Or Am I
I wish I had coined that phrase: “Jewish Education is Dead; Long Live Jewish Education.” But in truth, this is the title of the talk by Dr. Jonathan Woocher, the Chief Ideas Officer of JESNA, the Jewish Educational Service of North America. Dr. Woocher, whom I have followed through his writings for years, spoke at the Union for Reform Judaism’s Education Summit 2011, as part of the URJ Biennial Convention 2011. (Yada yada yada.)
To quote one of my tweets: “I was so inspired by Dr. Woocher’s talk that I could barely breathe.” Dr. Woocher, in his own piercingly insightful way, challenged us to allow old paradigms about Jewish education to quietly go to sleep, as we embrace new realities and new paradigms for the Jewish present and future. His talk, combining the best of technology including real time polling and engaging videos, offered a compelling critique of the present and a glance into the future of Jewish education.
Read the full post at RJ.org...
The DeLeT alumni network has posted JESNA's latest QuickBytes newsletter & the accompanying invitation to join our upcoming webinar on teacher recognition in communities. Check out their blog post here.
Masa Israel Journey and the Jewish Education Service of North America (JESNA) today announced the launch of the Lainer-Masa Israel Fellowship, a two-year program for Jewish young adults interested in careers in Jewish education. This joint venture will engage North American Masa Israel undergraduate university participants while in Israel and place them in a second year internship upon returning to their campuses.
Building on JESNA’s successful Lainer Israel Internship Program and Masa Israel’s access to North American young adults on long-term Israel programs, this new capacity-building initiative is to nurture and prepare a cadre of Jewish college students who are committed to advancing Jewish education and leadership throughout their personal and professional lives.
Read the full article on the Masa Israel Journey Blog. Read JESNA's press release about this joint venture here.
I recently attended the Jewish Futures Conference at General Assembly of Jewish Federation Councils in New Orleans. There was a lot I liked, some I will learn from and use, and some that repulsed me. Not bad on average...
“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” Jonathan Woocher, the Chief Ideas Officer of the Jewish Education Service of North America (JESNA) and Director of the Lippman Kanfer Institute borrowed this quote from Alan Kay, computer scientist and visionary, to end the Jewish Futures Conference. And let us say, “Amen.”
Read the full post at The Gris Mill: Joel Grishaver's Blog...
From OnLion: The Behrman House Blog:
Kol haKavod to JESNA and the Jewish Education Project for the Futures Conference. Among the most thought-provoking presentations were those at this 3-hour session. Their site is a rich source of information.
Here’s what I’ve been thinking about after spending 3 days in New Orleans.Read the full article at OnLion...
After returning from the 2010 General Assembly in New Orleans, the notorious r. a. v. writes:
It was an honor to be part of the planning team for the Jewish Futures Conference that took place, as a collaboration of Covenant Foundation, JESNA / Lipman-Kanfer Institute, The Jewish Education Project and Jewish Federations of North America. http://www.jewishfutures.net/. Although it may have been hyperbole to call it the first ever futures conference, it was nevertheless a landmark in bringing together 400+ communal leaders, professionals and students to think and discuss openly what the future of Jewish learning could be. This would never have occurred at a G.A. in the dark and distant past.
...Read the full post at the notorious r. a. v...