The Secret Ingredient is Social Connectedness

The Secret Ingredient is Social Connectedness

Social connectedness is the degree to which a person has and perceives a sufficient number of positive, reciprocal relationships including emotional support, a sense of belonging, and fostering growth. Some people may think that schools’ primary goal is solely to teach content and skills, however, I believe school communities should consider social connectedness a top priority.  Not only that, educators should focus on exploring multiple ways to leverage social connectedness as an element of the learning process.

It’s not an “either-or” proposition: Student Choice in Text Study

It’s not an “either-or” proposition: Student Choice in Text Study

Giving students the right to make choices in their education is not a new idea. In fact, it is one of the foundational ideas of Maria Montessori’s and John Dewey’s systems of education. Over the years research has also confirmed (Goodwin, 2010) that giving students a greater role in directing their own education increases motivation and student learning outcomes.

While in secular education progressive educators have long been moving in the direction of increasing student choice, Jewish education has been slow to adapt.

Striking a Balance Between a School’s Structure and Culture

Striking a Balance Between a School’s Structure and Culture

Schools have both structural and cultural elements. Structural elements deal with top down school laws or expectations by which a person can be held accountable as a driver of behavior.  Cultural elements deal with bottom-up or socially-driven behaviors.  Both have strong influences in a school.  The knowledgeable head of school knows that the right combination will help a school succeed.  

The key is knowing when to build capacity by creating a more resilient and adaptable school and when to use that capacity to solve challenges.  The structural side helps keep the school on one consistent plan.  The best a school can achieve with only that lens is compliance.  The cultural side invites a rejuvenating energy and a feeling of solidarity.  The best a school can achieve with only that lens is mission-driven collaboration with the danger of going in a wrong direction.  When the two sides work in sync, you get the best of both.

JEIC Announces 2017 Grantees

JEIC Announces 2017 Grantees

 

Every year we award grants to programs that can fundamentally change Jewish education, inspiring students to learn, grow and connect as part of our Day School Educators' Challenge. We received 48 proposals and after careful review, we are excited to announce our 2017 grantees. 

    PRESS RELEASE: Design Thinking Takes Center Stage

    PRESS RELEASE: Design Thinking Takes Center Stage

    Jewish Education Innovation Challenge (JEIC) convened nearly 100 Jewish educators and community leaders from across North America to participate in its 5th annual Innovators Retreat – Oases of Change – at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. 

    Innovator Grantee Updates

    Innovator Grantee Updates

    Video updates from our 2015 and 2016 Day School Educators Challenge grant recipients. 

    Tefilah Reimagined - Rabbi Michael Ribalt Guest Post

    Tefilah Reimagined - Rabbi Michael Ribalt Guest Post

    Guest blogger Rabbi Michael Ribalt discusses the three relationships to tefilah, including one’s relationship with Klal Yisrael through Halakha, one’s personal relationship with Hashem, and one’s relationship with “self.”

    The Holistic Student

    The Holistic Student

    Ultimately, caring about the holistic student necessitates prioritizing identity development over textual engagement.  While the two do not mutually exclude each other, the notion that Judaism bases its construct exclusively on text loses the core of community and the soul of the individual.

    A Conversation with Ruchel Green, HaKaveret Designer

    A Conversation with Ruchel Green, HaKaveret Designer

    HaKaveret Designer, Ruchel Green, is a teacher and technology specialist at the Silver Spring Learning Center in Silver Spring, Maryland. She brings an interesting perspective to the work group as the only designer working in early education.

    Jewish Literacy - Unfortunately, it's Not Enough

    Jewish Literacy - Unfortunately, it's Not Enough

    Recently, eJewishPhilanthropy published an article about Jewish literacy. We wanted to share this article because it underlines two JEIC focus points.

    1. Heads of School (or Principals) lead and shape culture at their school either by engagement or disengagement. In order to create a more engaging environment, the leaders need more God centered decision making, motivation, and tool sets.
    2. School leaders who value the primacy of a relationship with God will generate a culture with a vast vocabulary, deep self worth, and sensitivity to the Divine in this world.

    We encourage you to read the full article and share your thoughts

    A Conversation with Jeff Kiderman, HaKaveret Designer

    A Conversation with Jeff Kiderman, HaKaveret Designer

    What do you find most enjoyable about working in Jewish education?

    I think that Jewish day school education is one of the bed rocks of the Jewish community, and to be able to spend each day trying to make it better and more accessible is something I'm really lucky to be able to do.

    Response: Teaching Rabbinics Early

    Response: Teaching Rabbinics Early

    In Rabbi Goldberg’s recent blog post, he argues that, contrary to popular belief, Rabbinics as a study does not require text; it actually begins with the youngest, pre-literate learners in the form of Jewish values, holidays and traditions. He posits that neglecting to acknowledge that these rituals and ideals come from rabbinic understandings and teaching them in a more deliberate manner is doing a disservice to these young students. I agree, and would expand upon that even further.

    PRESS RELEASE: JEIC Announces Day School Educators' Challenge

    PRESS RELEASE: JEIC Announces Day School Educators' Challenge

    Chevy Chase, MD (November 30, 2017) - The Jewish Education Innovation Challenge (JEIC), sponsored in part by the Mayberg Foundation, is soliciting proposals to pilot innovative educational models in Jewish day schools. The objective is to identify and fund experimentation with new methodologies that foster and reward student effort and enthusiasm, teacher proficiency, and school effectiveness in creating the next generation of Jews.

    HaKaveret Design Team Retreat Launch

    HaKaveret Design Team Retreat Launch

    Last month, we shared the exciting news about launching HaKaveret: JEIC Team Challenge. HaKaveret will convene a group of ten talented, creative and motivated individuals from around the country to form an innovation design team with a focus on creating a new vision in Jewish education. 

    JEIC Grantee Shalhevet in the News

    JEIC Grantee Shalhevet in the News

    In 2013, JEIC awarded Shalhevet High School $50,000 for their "LaHaV" project. Their goal was to revolutionize how Jewish high school students relate to their heritage by reimagining how to communicate the richness and relevance of Judaic studies. We are proud to report that Shalhevet has been doing just that. As of this academic year, their innovative curriculum is rolling out in three other schools in the United States, as well as one in Melbourne. Recently featured in Jewish Journal, Shalhevet's curriculum is truly inventive. We look forward to their continued success. Click here to read the full Jewish Journal article. 

    Teacher Development: It's Not Just Teaching Teachers

    Teacher Development: It's Not Just Teaching Teachers

    Teacher development is directly linked to teacher retention and effectiveness. So why doesn’t teacher development get the attention it so desperately needs? A misunderstood and difficult topic, teacher development should aim to create culture, not simply teach teachers.

    PRESS RELEASE: JEIC Announces New Team Challenge

    PRESS RELEASE: JEIC Announces New Team Challenge

    The Jewish Education Innovation Challenge announced today that is has launched a new initiative aimed at revitalizing Jewish day schools through reintroducing the dynamic of beneficent experimentation. For the first time, HaKaveret: JEIC Team Challenge will convene a group of talented, creative and motivated individuals from around the country to form an innovation design team with a focus on creating a new vision in Jewish education.