Adapting: The Future of Jewish Education
Episodes
The Pedagogy of Death, Season 3, Episode 9
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Death and dying are topics that are often avoided, both in the world at large and in the realm of Jewish education. Rabbi Melanie Levav—award-winni...
#antisemitism and Empowering Gen Z, Season 3, Episode 8
17 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Antisemitism is often referred to as the world’s oldest hatred, and perhaps it is not surprising that it's rearing its ugly head again in popu...
Is the Writing on the Wall for Jewish Day Schools? Season 3, Episode 7
10 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Jewish Day Schools are having a celebrated moment, but will they be viable in 20 years? Are the trends and challenges that may impact day schools in t...
The Case for Healthy Arguments, Season 3, Episode 6
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Abi Dauber Sterne and Robbie Gringras want society to argue more. Really! The two veteran educators believe that arguments can be a constructive force...
Why You Should Care About Israeli Elections, Season 3, Episode 5
27 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Adapting David Bryfman speaks with Noam Weissman of OpenDor Media, an experienced Israel educator and podcaster in his own right. T...
The Mindset and Kishkes of Jewish Philanthropy, Season 3, Episode 4
20 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The ecosystem of Jewish education depends on the contributions of various stakeholders and philanthropy is playing an increasing role in this landscap...
Setting the standards in experiential Jewish education, Season 3, Episode 3
12 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For what was once regarded as fluffy education, experiential Jewish education has grown exponentially in recent decades. It’s dramatic rise has also...
Educators...the key to the future of American Jewry, Season 3, Episode 2
06 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
According to Rabbi Ben Spratt, if you look around the American Jewish landscape, some organizations and institutions seem stuck, petrified of making...
Jewish Educators and Impostor Syndrome, Season 3, Episode 1
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine a job where you are expected to know every detail about a 5,000-year-old tradition and its sacred texts. Sounds difficult, right? Welcome to t...
The current state of Jewish education: Glass half full, glass half empty. Which is it? Depends on who you ask, Season 3, Bonus Episode 1
22 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Is the current state of Jewish education half full or half empty? You could say that the answer is somewhere in between, that both are true, at least ...
Sneak Peek: Adapting Season 3
22 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This season of Adapting: The Future of Jewish Education will tackle some of the more challenging issues facing Jewish education today. You’ll be hea...
Our Jewish Futures: Reimagining Ritual And The Mikveh
11 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when you reimagine an ancient ritual like immersing in the mikveh? What is it that makes the mikveh’s restorative waters a powerful spi...
Our Jewish Futures - Rethinking History Education
21 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What will the history classroom of the future look like? Through what lens should educators teach about Judaism and other world religions? On this epi...
Why Jewish EdTech is not about technology, Season 2, Episode 31
07 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What are the core elements needed for a quality Jewish EdTech product? Russel Neiss’s answer will surprise you. Russel, a Jewish educator fluent in ...
Discovering the Divine through Creative Exploration, Season 2, Episode 30
30 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For Rabbi Adina Allen, the word “creativity” is a code word for God. Rabbi Allen believes that everyone, despite what your art teacher may have ...
Daniel Olson On Jewish Education For People With Disabilities, Season 2, Episode 29
23 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Why does Daniel Olson get frustrated when he hears the phrase “special needs” used to describe a child? Why does he believe that learners with d...
K.M. DiColandrea on Humans of New York and Teacher Impact, Season 2, Episode 28
16 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In a single moment, an educator can dramatically change a person’s life, even if they didn’t know it. It’s a lesson K.M. DiColandrea, aka DiCo, ...
Our Jewish Futures - How Does Hebrew Factor into Jewish Education?
08 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What can be done to improve Hebrew language teaching and learning? T'helah Ben-Dan, a long time teacher and student of Hebrew, has a few ideas. ...
Building Community Through Love of Torah and Learning, Season 2, Episode 27
02 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Community. Love of Torah. Stronger social bonds. These are just a few of the benefits Rabbi Dr. Dan Smokler and Erica Frankel of the Office Of Innovat...
Reflections And Inspirations Of A Board President, Season 2, Episode 26
01 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What goes into a successful relationship between a board president and a CEO? Martine Fleishman, The Jewish Education Project’s Board President, sha...
Part 2 - Meet the 2022 Young Pioneers Award Recipients, Season 2, Episode 25
26 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How do Amram Altzman, Jessica Cohen, and Megan Sass approach the most pressing issues facing Jewish educators today? Amram, the Associate Director of...
Part 1 - Meet the 2022 Young Pioneers Award Recipients, Season 2, Episode 24
19 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What motivates and inspires Francie Goldberg and Emily Hausman, two of the recipients of The Jewish Education Project's 2022 Robert M. Sherman Yo...
Our Jewish Futures - Antiracism, Social Media, and Jewish Education
12 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What gives Liz Kleinrock hope for the future? The students in her classroom. In the second episode of Our Jewish Futures, Liz joins The Jewish Educati...
Israel's "Modern Days of Awe", Season 2, Episode 23
04 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Rabbi Leor Sinai, Senior Director of Israel Education at RootOne ,joins David Bryfman this week to suggest that Yom Hazikaron and Yom HaAtzma’ut rep...
Holocaust Education As Living Memory, Season 2, Episode 22
27 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Rabbi Yehudah Potok, Director of Jewish Education at Facing History and Ourselves joins David Bryfman for a meaningful episode focused on Holocaust ed...
Our Jewish Futures - Universalism and Jewish Education: Lessons from the Ministry
18 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Jewish or not, teens are teens. As Jewish educators, if we want to be serious about the future of teen Jewish education, we should be actively engagin...
Introducing Our Jewish Futures with Dr. Samantha Vinokor-Meinrath
14 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Our Jewish Futures, a new series within Adapting hosted by The Jewish Education Project's Dr. Samantha Vinokor- Meinrath! In this seri...
When "Good Enough" Isn’t Good Enough, Season 2, Episode 21
07 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Can you imagine if your congregation had 100% participation for every Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat service? According to Rabbi Matt Dreffin of the Go...
Scrolling Through Jewish Texts, Season 2, Episode 20
01 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Who owns the Torah? What does it mean for Jewish education now that we have free universal access to the Torah, Talmud, and other Jewish texts? Rabba...
The Power of Pedagogy in Jewish Education, Season 2, Episode 19
24 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
"As my colleague Allison Cook says, 'It feels like magic, but it doesn’t take magic to make it happen, it takes pedagogy.'" Rab...
Why the Message Matters in Jewish Education, Season 2, Episode 18
18 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
"Would I open that?” Carine Warsawski, often asks herself when she and her team are creating email blasts and other marketing materials for Try...
Get out of their way: The best way to engage Jewish teens today?, Season 2, Episode 17
10 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What has changed and what needs to stay the same in Jewish teen engagement? Michelle Shapiro Abraham, an award-winning Jewish educator with the Union ...
The War in Ukraine and Jewish Education, Season 2, Episode 16
03 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What should Jewish educators be teaching students and families about Ukraine and its complex Jewish past during this time of war? Leonard Petlakh, Exe...
Lessons of Leadership: The Magic of a 21st Century Day School , Season 2, Episode 15
24 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What is the magic of 21st century Jewish day schools? Rabbi Joshua Lookstein, Head of School at Westchester Day School, speaks with David Bryfman abo...
Bonus Episode: The Aftermath of the Maus Controversy
15 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Amidst rising anti-Semitism, Holocaust education recently made nationwide headlines after a school board in Tennessee voted to remove the Pulitzer Pri...
10 for 2: The impact of summer day camps all year round, Season 2, Episode 14
10 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The impact of Jewish Day Camps in North America is significant. Rabbi Ami Hersh - the director of Ramah Nyack- knows this well as someone who has spen...
Jewish Education and the "Gift of Thinking", Season 2, Episode 13
03 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For decades Dr. Barry Chazan has sought to answer a humble question, what is it about informal Jewish education, like camp and travel, that is so powe...
A School Grows in Brooklyn: Unexpected Roots for Innovative Jewish Education, Season 2, Episode 12
27 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When Rachel Weinstein White’s children were young, she and her “Jewish adjacent” husband committed to raising a Jewish family, but couldn’t fi...
Responding to Antisemitism in a Post Colleyville World, Season 2, Episode 11
21 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Jewish community experienced another traumatic event this weekend as we watched in horror the incident at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville,...
Chabad: Wisdom, Understanding, and Knowledge in Jewish Education, Season 2, Episode 10
16 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Success creates a model for others to follow, and in recent decades Chabad has arguably been one of the most successful organizations at connecting wi...
Spirituality: The essence of Jewish education, Season 2, Episode 9
09 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What is Jewish spirituality? For that matter, what is spirituality, and why is it an important, even necessary part of life? Rabbi Josh Feigelson and ...
Chanukah: The Choose Your Own Adventure Holiday, Season 2, Episode 8
02 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What is the purpose of Jewish education? Is it to teach skills? To inspire? To build Jewish community? Rabbi Benay Lappe, President & Rosh Yeshiva...
"Holy Wow" - Creating powerful moments through Jewish environmental education: Season 2, Episode 7
24 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“This moment in history calls on us to think about what is our relationship with the natural world, which is G-d’s creation.” Jakir Manela, CE...
The quest to transform part-time Jewish education with Rabbi Nicki Greninger: Season 2, Episode 6
18 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Join David Bryfman and Rabbi Nicki Greninger of Temple Isaiah in Lafayette, California for an animated conversation on what Rabbi Greninger insists we...
Bonus Episode: How the digital era is changing everything about Jewish education
15 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Technology has become an integral part of every Jewish educator’s toolbox. Online classrooms, video tours, and web conferencing to name a few, have ...
Why is "doing Jewish" important for Jewish education? : Season 2, Episode 5
11 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Jewish world often finds itself divided on issues related to Israel, Jewish practice, and intermarriage. At times, our divisions seem to threaten ...
Sigd- The Jewish Holiday You Need To Learn About: Season 2, Episode 4
04 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week Jewish people around the world from Jerusalem to New York are commemorating the festival of Sigd, a Biblical tradition commonly associated w...
Why Mental Health Matters for Jewish Education: Season 2, Episode 3
28 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Every Jewish educator finds themself, at some point, offering the type of support this week’s guest calls “mental first aid.” Educator, comedian...
A Candid Conversation about Jewish Early Childhood Education: Season 2, Episode 2
21 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Does Jewish early childhood education have the potential to radically transform the Jewish community? What impact would federally funded early childho...
The Resilience of Jewish Day Schools: Season 2, Episode 1
13 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What does the future hold for Jewish day schools? Is growth seen during the pandemic sustainable? Join us for this critical discussion featuring The J...
Episode 20: A Conversation with Dr. Ruth Westheimer
24 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Ruth Westheimer learned from her late father that "education is the one thing that can't be taken away from you." On this episode ...
Episode 19: What does the new Pew Report mean for Jewish Education?
27 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Pew Research Center released its "Jewish Americans in 2020" report on May 11. What are implications for Jewish education and engagement?...
Episode 18: Creating A+ Human Beings - The Real Purpose of Jewish Education?
06 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What is the true purpose of Jewish education? The Jewish Education Project's CEO Dr. David Bryfman and Dr. Bruce Powell, Dr. Erica Rothblum, ...
Special Episode: Fireside Chat with the 2021 Young Pioneers Awardees
12 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As we look toward the future, how are innovative Jewish educators shining a light beyond the pandemic? 2021 Robert M. Sherman Young Pioneers Awardees ...
Episode 17: Esther and Vashti - Heroines of the Purim Story with Dr. Erica Brown
25 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Erica Brown of The George Washington University discusses Esther and Vashti, dual heroines of the Purim story, and what we can learn about honori...
Bonus Episode 7: Canadian Jewish Life and the importance of High Impact Jewish Experiences with Daniel Held
18 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This is the final episode of our seven bonus episodes. These episodes were recorded in the spring of 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. I...
Bonus Episode 6: The Power of Camp, Jewish Life in Modern Poland, and more with Gabe Miner
17 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This is the sixth of our seven bonus episodes. These episodes were recorded in the spring of 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.In this ep...
Bonus Episode 5: Helping Teens Grow and Thrive in The World With Carly Orshan
16 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This is the fifth of our seven bonus episodes. These episodes were recorded in the spring of 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this e...
Bonus Episode 4: We Don't Have To Accept The Way Things Were with Rabbi Elizabeth Zeller
12 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This is the fourth of our seven bonus episodes. These episodes were recorded in the spring of 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this ...
Bonus Episode 3: Jewish Life in the United Kingdon, Zionism, and the importance of Hebrew with Robin Moss
11 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This is the third of our seven bonus episodes. These episodes were recorded in the spring of 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this ...
Bonus Episode 2: Jewish Culture as Cholent and Thoughts on A Post COVID-19 World with Yoni Colman
10 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This is the second of our seven bonus episodes. These episodes were recorded in the spring of 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this ...
Bonus Episode 1: Contact Before Content with Micol Zimmerman Burkeman
09 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This is the first of our seven bonus episodes. These episodes were recorded in the spring of 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this e...
Episode 16: How Does Philanthropy Influence Jewish Education - Lisa Eisen and Yoni Kaiser-Blueth
20 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What will Jewish education and communal life look like after COVID-19? What role could and should Jewish philanthropy play in influencing the future o...
Episode 15: Lighting The Way Toward A Better Future - Chanukah Episode with Rabbi Elliot J. Cosgrove and Eliana Light
21 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In these challenging times, what lessons can we learn from the light and miracles of Chanukah? Rabbi Elliot J. Cosgrove, PhD, Rabbi at Park Avenue Syn...
Episode 14: Cultivating Gratitude During Challenging Times - Rabbi Menachem Creditor and Heather Wolfson
15 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Rabbi Menachem Creditor, the Pearl and Ira Meyer Scholar in Residence at UJA-Federation New York, and Heather Wolfson, CEO and Lead Strategist of Mave...
Episode 13: Jewish Education and the Ballot Box - Aaron Dorfman and Tamara Tweel
15 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What role should Jewish education play in civic engagement today? Aaron Dorfman, President of Lippman Kanfer Foundation for Living Torah, and Dr. Tama...
Episode 12: Jewish Education: Socially Distant, Spiritually Together - Rabbi Deborah Bravo and Rabbi Charles Savenor
03 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How do Jewish educators create the magic of youth and family services in a digital world? What lessons from the High Holiday season will Jewish educat...
Episode 11: Lessons Learned and Bold Predictions - Fall's Re-Entry Into Jewish Education
03 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this behind the scenes conversation with The Jewish Education Project professionals, David Bryfman, Rabbi Jennifer Goldsmith, Sasha Kopp, and Rebec...
Episode 10: Jewish Day Schools At A Crossroads
03 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
With the school year quickly approaching, and coronavirus cases still surging in parts of the country, how are Jewish day schools preparing for what w...
Episode 9: Gen Z: Reshaping Jewish Life
03 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What do teens do when a pandemic interrupts plans for prom, graduation, or college? Is discussing social issues and Jewish texts the same over Zoom ...
Episode 8: Complexity, Conflicts, and Connections - Adapting in Israel Education
03 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Rachel Fish is a historian and educator of Zionist thought and Israeli history and society. Robbie Gringras is a British-born Israeli living in ...
Episode 7: Pioneering During Uncertain Times - 2020 Young Pioneers Award Recipients
03 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Lauren Belferder, Carly Namdar, Dina Newman and Phreddy Nosanwisch were recipients of the 2020 Robert M. Sherman Young Pioneers Award. Lauren Belferde...
Episode 6: Surviving or Thriving? Jewish Education's "New Normal" - Saul Kaiserman
03 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Saul Kaiserman is Director of Lifelong Learning for Congregation Emanu-El of the City of New York, and a Board Member of The Jewish Education Project....
Episode 5: Race and Education - Chava Shervington and Yoshi Silverstein
03 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Chava Shervington is a current board member and past president of the Jewish Multiracial Network, where she became a recognized voice on issues of ra...
Episode 4: What Now? - Miriam Heller Stern
03 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Miriam Heller Stern is National Director of the School of Education and Associate Professor at HUC-JIR, based at the Rhea Hirsch School of Educa...
Episode 3: Julie Finkelstein of Foundation for Jewish Camp
30 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
David Bryfman is joined by Julie Finkelstein, Director of Leadership Development at Foundation for Jewish Camp, for a conversation about how Jewish ca...
Episode 2: Meredith Lewis of PJ Library
30 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
David Bryfman is joined by Meredith Lewis, Director of Content, Education, and Family Experience for PJ Library in North America for a conversation ...
Episode 1: Adaptive Leadership and Jewish Education with Maya Bernstein
20 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
On the debut episode of Adapting, host David Bryfman is joined by Maya Bernstein, co-founder of UpStart and co-director of Georgetown University'...