No images? Click here
Hello friend,
The Yamim Noraim (High Holidays) are upon us with moments containing dimensions of both introspection and action.
It is also an opportunity for us to think together with our learners about the difference between doing, ma’aseh, and contemplating, machshavah, the two values at the core of M²‘s work — and the focus of both deeply personal and demonstrably ritual holiday experiences. This duality is, for example, reflected in a classic disagreement about the obligation of blowing the shofar. Is the mitzvah (commandment) to blow the shofar (ma’aseh), or to hear the sound of the shofar (machshava)? This question forms the basis of several timely, timeless disputes – and broadens our worldview through new ideas.
In what ways will you and your learners find space for both deep reflection and intentional action this holiday season? How will you guide your learners to honor and uphold the traditions that bring them meaning, and make room for new and innovative ideas?
______________
In this edition, you’ll learn about our new Research Fellowship opportunities and read highlights from seminars in Israel and Chicago. This month also features a discussion with M² board member Arna Poupko Fisher on “the ROI of informal learning.”
May this year bring you new educational experiences, personal and professional growth, and deep meaning.
G'mar Chatima Tova to you and your loved ones,
The M² Team
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN FOR M² 2023 RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS
Tackle challenges affecting today’s learners with vital Jewish wisdom. Cultivate new approaches towards Jewish education. Build your professional network – and your community of practice.
We are thrilled to announce that M² is now accepting applications for its 2023 Research Fellowships: Jewish Pedagogies of Wellbeing Research Fellowship, and Jewish Pedagogies of Peoplehood Research Fellowship.
Both ten-month, stipend-paying virtual fellowships are open to master Jewish educators of diverse backgrounds, and provide fellows with the opportunity to create and collaborate on new pedagogies during bi-weekly meetings and days of learning. We invite you to apply, or nominate someone in your network who may be interested!
Applications are due by November 6, 2022.
Nominate an educator for the Peoplehood Fellowship here >>
Nominate an educator for the Wellbeing Fellowship here >>
M²’s Research Fellowships are run with support from the Covenant Foundation, the Lippman Kanfer Foundation for Living Torah and the Rodan Family Foundation.
M² is proud to partner with the Z3 Project in launching the Pedagogies of Peoplehood Research Fellowship.
EXPLORING THE "SHOULD" OF JEWISH EDUCATION AT SAPIR EVENT
In a live virtual conversation with SAPIR editor-in-chief Bret Stephens, M² Founder and CEO Shuki Taylor and author of the 18x18 educational framework, Dr. Ben Jacobs, shared why Jewish educators shouldn’t be afraid of the “shoulds” of Jewish education: What should tomorrow’s Jewish adults care about? What should they know? How should they take action?
Dr. Jacobs' 18x18 framework, co-authored with Dr. Barry Chazan, recently transformed from theory to practice with M²’s 18x18 Research Fellowship initiative. In their discussion with Bret, Shuki and Ben revealed exactly how it steps up to define the “shoulds” of Jewish education and guide young Jews on an educational journey – and why the framework initially received mixed feedback.
M² MEET-UPS AT UPCOMING CONFERENCES
Are you planning to attend a professional conference this year? M² staff members and alumni may also be there! We’d love to see you, hear how you are doing, and connect you to other M² people and opportunities.
Please let us know which upcoming conferences and gatherings you’ll be attending via the five-minute form below, and we will let you know about upcoming meet-ups. We look forward to staying connected.
TACKLING THE “HOW” OF EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION IN CHICAGO
At the start of their second in-person seminar, the inaugural Chicago Educators Cohort was already well-versed in what it meant to take a values-based approach to Jewish education – so they turned their focus to how.
Fellows learned pedagogical tools and tactical techniques for how to immerse their learners in concrete experiences that deepen learning. Session content included a study on four different types of experiences we can create, methodologies to enhance learners’ engagement, typologies of activities that enhance immersive learning experiences, and techniques for tending to the environmental design and space in service of learning objectives.
The group also spent time in the "Construction Zone," processing their knowledge and applying their learnings to their designs – which include in-person retreats, a conference, high holiday sermons, rabbinical training, and an upcoming Hanukkah celebration.
AT THEIR FINAL SEMINAR, 18X18 FELLOWS SHARE THEIR GRATITUDE
After a rewarding year-and-a-half-long journey, the 18x18 Executive Fellows met for their final seminar in Chicago. At the heart of the seminar were the fellows’ siyyum presentations – reflections on their key learnings – each of which was deeply personal, innovative, and responsive to the most urgent needs of Jewish education.
The fellows closed their time together by expressing how valuable it was to have been in a professional community together – something they said happens too rarely for executive-level Jewish educators. They shared their gratitude for feeling seen and supported as they ideated and enacted audacious, visionary goals for their organizations.
FINDING SIGNATURE PEDAGOGIES AT THE ANU MUSEUM
What is your signature pedagogy? Does it represent your values as an educator and help you bring your own self to every interaction with your learners?
Whether you tell stories about yourself for accessibility, emphasize peer-to-peer learning, or make sure to create a pluralistic environment, every educator has their approach. The Israeli Senior Educators Cohort gathered at ANU, The Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv for a day of peer learning to find their own deeply personal answers to this important question.
INFORMAL EDUCATION DOESN’T NEED
TO BE INFORMAL
“It's not hyperbolic to say that it is a particularly complicated time to be a young Jew. Conversations about identity, culture, values, and Israel are tense. It’s essential to have a safe place to unpack those complexities… And in informal education, the opportunities are endless.”
Arna Poupko Fisher, M² Board Member believes the potential for “informal” Jewish education is massive – especially if educators can successfully communicate its life-altering impact to the world.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW POSITIONS, DANIELLE AND ALON!
Danielle Kranjec, a graduate of M²’s first Relational Learning Circle, will be returning to Hillel International as the new associate vice president of the organization’s Meyerhoff Center for Jewish and Israel Education. Congratulations are also in order for Alon Ziv-Galil, SEC Israel fellow, who recently became school principal of the French Hill Tevel school in Jerusalem.
Have you started a new position? Please let us know and we’ll update your title in our records >
