Hebrew College Early Childhood Conference 2018 : Israel's Multiple Dimesions

Israel’s Multiple Dimensions

Hebrew College Conference for Educators

Hebrew College • Newton Centre, Massachusetts • October 28-31, 2018

Hebrew College Statement on Israel Throughout its history, Hebrew College has had a strong and vibrant relationship to Zionism and the state of Israel. Founded as part of the Hebraist movement, we have remained deeply and consistently committed to fostering a connection to the people, land, language and culture of Israel as a cornerstone of our educational mission. We are particularly passionate about nurturing relationships that grow in the fertile ground of lived experience – immersive programs for our students in Israel, and intensive collaborations with Israeli partner institutions and individuals.

Our attachment to Israel, and our commitment to its significance in contemporary Jewish life, continue to make a profound claim on us as Jews living in North America. We feel a sense of responsibility to help our students cultivate a connection to Israel that is rooted in a love of the Jewish people, a deep understanding of Jewish history and contemporary Israeli society, and a commitment to democracy, pluralism, and human rights.

As a pluralistic educational institution nurturing learners of all ages and training Jewish leaders for the next generation, we engage a diversity of views and seek to promote dialogue and education about Israel in a spirit of shared inquiry and mutual respect. (Approved by the Hebrew College Board of Trustees, February 2016)

2018-19 Israel Education From the Shoolman Graduate School of Jewish Education Spring 2019: Online Academic Course (3 credits or non-credit) Israel in Our Communities: Engaging with Historical and Contemporary Sources Susie Rosenstein and Marion Gribetz Through exposure to core historical knowledge, as well as engagement with elements of contemporary Israeli society, this course will help students create for themselves approaches to teaching Israel to their own students. We will explore modes of engagement with Israel’s centrality in the Jewish narrative. Emphasis will be on creating authentic connections for ourselves and for our communities.

Professional Development and Seminars: • October 28-31: Educators’ Conference: The Multiple Dimensions of Israel • Yearlong: Israel Education: Community of Practice • Yearlong: Boston-Haifa Early Childhood Educators Connection: Diversity and Unity • February 2019: Educational Seminar in Israel For more information, please contact Rachel Raz at rraz@hebrewcollege.edu.

FROM THE CONFERENCE CHAIR ‫שלום וברוכים הבאים‬ Shalom and welcome to the Hebrew College Conference for Educators!

In honor of Israel’s 70 years of Independence, we are delighted to delve together into the multiple dimensions of Israel and explore ways to share them with our communities. I would like to thank Dr. Amir Grinstein, who introduced me to the concept of “multiple dimensions” in relationship to Israel. As a native Israeli, I took the multiple dimensions of Israel for granted, and just lived by it. I took for granted that Israel is a Jewish state where Jews are the majority, where the school year and vacations follow the Jewish calendar and where the Jewish holidays align with the seasons and weather. I took for granted that public schools teach in (and about) Hebrew, Jewish history and Bible. I took for granted that Jews in Israel come from many countries and have many traditions and customs. My own grandparents came to Israel from Egypt, Libya and Turkey. I took for granted, that all year-round our hot water is heated by solar energy, and that the spirit of Herzl, “If you will it, it is no dream.” and Ben-Gurion’s desire to “make the desert bloom” are the spirit of innovation, stubbornness and creativity that characterize the “Start Up Nation” as Israel is known for today. Growing up in Israel, I also took it as a given that we have to experience and face challenges: my father, like many others, fought in several wars, and my newly married Hebrew Literature teacher lost her husband at the end of our school year, during the Lebanon war.

I remember putting a gas mask on during the Gulf War while missiles were falling on Tel-Aviv from Iraq. I also remember a neighborhood boy who was killed in a terror attack during Purim in the center of Tel Aviv. Singing “Hatikva,” Israel’s anthem, and in particular the line, “to be free people in our country,” always moves me as a granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor. I also took for granted the culture of argument; in Israel people argue about anything, and very often, very loudly. Israelis argue about: politics, conflicts, religious practice and how to live life. So, as my personal experience demonstrates, Israel has multiple dimensions; it is complex, diverse, exciting, innovative, fragile, a home, a Jewish homeland, a place in our history, present and future; and in many ways, a miracle!

The conference is designed as an opportunity to explore Israel’s “Multiple Dimensions” and dive deeply into some of them. Please think about how YOU relate/connect to Israel and how you want your students and community to connect/feel/relate to it.

About the art in the program: In this program we included two sculptures by Israeli artist, Nira Raz; “Israelchik” and “At the Train Station”. Both represent some of the complexity and beauty of Israel and the Israeli society. I would like to thank Nira, my mother in-law, for inspiring me over the years with her beautiful art creations.

This conference is a work of collaboration between many individuals and institutions. I would like to thank everyone who joined us to make this a successful conference. For a full list please see the back cover of this program.

I hope this conference will be meaningful, useful and enjoyable to you. I invite you to continue your learning beyond this conference and strengthen your connection with Israel and its people.

Warmly,

Rachel Raz

WELCOME FROM THE DEAN Welcome to the Educators’ conference at Hebrew College on this special 70th anniversary year for Israel. I am delighted that we have extended our annual conference offerings to include extra enrichment on the teaching of Israel as well as our traditional early childhood professional learning opportunities. Rachel Raz has conceived of a special gathering devoted to new learning and new experiences for educators working in the Jewish community, and Linna Ettinger has implemented it all with her usual logistical acumen. You will read how we approach the teaching of Israel in the statements below and the work that we do year round to prepare educators for their work in inspirational and diverse strategies for Israel Education. We are especially proud of our iCenter fellows, who, as part of their Master’s degree matriculation, can concentrate their studies in this area coupled with a professional learning experience in Israel and in Chicago at the iCenter for Israel Education. Thank you to Susie Rodenstein, senior lecturer on the Shoolman faculty, who presides over this cherished program.

Much of contemporary Israel Education emphasizes the mifgash – the living encounter between the diverse and multifaceted reality in Israel and the American Jewish community. We seek to deepen and widen this mifgash so that we can overcome the obstacles placed in the way of truly understanding the mission of a “Zion rebuilt” and open eyes, hearts and hands to building ‘a democratic state in a land of justice and wholeness for all’.

Michael Shire Rabbi Michael Shire, PhD Chief Academic Officer and Dean, Shoolman Graduate School of Jewish Education Hebrew College The Shoolman School’s Approach to Israel Education and Engagement The Shoolman School fosters strong connections to the people, land and culture of Israel through immersive programs, nurturing relationships, collaborative partnerships and substantial curricular focus.

Activities: The Pardes Day School Educators Program – training outstanding Jewish studies teachers for day schools since 2000 –two-year program in Jerusalem that combines intensive text study at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies with a Master of Jewish Education from Hebrew College.

Visiting Israeli Scholars including faculty from Oranim College , The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies.

Boston-Haifa Early Childhood Educators’ Connection - facilitated by Hebrew College in Newton, MA and

the Department of Early Childhood Education of the Haifa Municipality, this program strengthens pedagogical skills, leadership and Jewish identity by creating personal connections among early childhood educators in Boston and Haifa. The exchange program matches preschool teachers from Boston with their counterparts in Haifa to collaborate on professional development programs and personal connections.

The iFellows Master’s Concentration in Israel Education nurtures and challenges the next generation of knowledgeable and passionate educational leaders committed to the integral role of Israel in contemporary Jewish life. Its goal is to develop an approach to Israel education rooted in a sophisticated understanding of contemporary Israel and its history, combined with an innovative educational strategy and practice.

THE CONFERENCE SCHEDULE I. Sunday, October 28 (1:30-4:00pm) – Israel and Hebrew: The Environment as a Teacher Educational visit to the Wonder of Learning Exhibit at Wheelock/Boston University II. Monday, October 29 (9:00-4:00pm) - The Multiple Dimensions of Israel For educators and professionals teaching all ages III. Tuesday, October 30 (8:30am - 3:30pm) - Israel in Early Education For educators and professionals working with children ages 0-8 and their families IV. Tuesday and Wednesday, October 30 and 31 - Best Practices: Learning from the Field Educational site visits - see how Israel and Hebrew can be incorporated into educational settings

WORKSHOPS AT A GLANCE SUNDAY OCTOBER 28, 2018 OFF-SITE, FOR ALL EDUCATORS 1:30 to 4:00pm

The Wonder of Learning – Israel and Hebrew: The Environment as a Teacher with Rachel Raz Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development 180 Riverway, Boston, Massachusetts 02215 https://wonderoflearningboston.org

MONDAY OCTOBER 29, 2018 FOR ALL EDUCATORS, ON CAMPUS OF HEBREW COLLEGE 9:00 to 9:30am

Registration, Main Entrance Coffee/Tea, Berenson Hall, Lower Level

9:30 to 10:30am

Welcome, Berenson Hall, Lower Level Rachel Raz, Conference Chair “The Multiple Dimensions of Israel and the re-Branding of Israel” Amir Grinstein, PhD, Associate Professor of Marketing, Northeastern University/VU Amsterdam

10:45am to 12:15pm

Monday Morning Breakout Sessions

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Personal Connections to Israel and Israelis: Lessons from the Boston-Haifa Connection (Marla Olsberg, Panel Facilitator) Berenson Hall, Lower Level

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Reimagining Hebrew in our Communities (Tal Gale, Panel Facilitator) Rooms 106-107, Lower Level

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Encountering Israel Through Culture (Marion Gribetz) Rooms 102-103, Lower Level

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A Very Short Introduction to Zionism and Israel (Rabbi Dr. David Starr) Elovitz Board Room, Upper Level

12:15 to 1:30pm

Lunch and Limmud Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld, President, Hebrew College “Innovation Nation,” Daniel Agranov, Deputy Consul General of Israel to New England

1:45 to 3:15pm

Monday Afternoon Breakout Sessions

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Bringing the Multiple Dimensions of Israel to Our Community (Rabbi David Lerner) Rooms 102-103, Lower Level

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The Jewish Relationship to the Land of Israel: Biblical and Ancient Foundations (Dr. David Bernat) Rooms 106-107, Lower Level

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The Mystics on the Hilltop (Torah Godly Play) (Rabbi Dr. Michael Shire) Rooms 4-5, Tichnor Conference Center

3:20-4:00pm

Communal Reflections and Networking – Berenson Hall

TUESDAY OCTOBER 30, 2018 ISRAEL IN EARLY EDUCATION 8:30 to 9:00am

Registration, Main Entrance Coffee/Tea, Berenson Hall, Lower Level

9:00 to 9:30am

Welcome, Berenson Hall, Lower Level Rachel Raz, Conference Chair Marla Olsberg, Program Manager, Boston-Haifa School to School Partnerships, CJP

9:45 to 11:15am ~

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Tuesday Breakout Session 1 Look But Don’t Touch! How Can a Cactus Connect Our Preschoolers to Israel in a Meaningful Way? (Sharon Cores) Rooms 102-103, Lower Level

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Nobody Puts Israel in the Corner: Creating a Culture of Israel Education in an Early Childhood Classroom (Rebecca Weiner) Rooms 106-107, Lower Level

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Encountering Israel Through Culture (Marion Gribetz) Elovitz Board Room, Upper Level

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Israel and Young Families: How Do We Introduce Families With Young Children to the Concept of Israel, If They Have Never Visited? (Andrea Shapiro) Rooms 1-2, Tichnor Conference Center

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Using Children’s Literature to Teach Young Learners about Israel, Israeli Culture, and Hebrew (Liat Kadosh and Vered Goldstein) Rooms 4-5, Tichnor Conference Center

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Rhythm ‘n’ Ruach: Using Drumming and Singing To Help Kids Fall In Love With Israel (Ellen Allard) Berenson Hall, Lower Level

11:30am to 1:00pm Tuesday Breakout Session 2 ~

From the Birds and the Bees in Northern Israel to Machane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem: New Ways to Bring Israel to Your Preschool Classroom (Heidi Baker, et al) Rooms 102-103, Lower Level

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DiverCity: Multi-Cultural is Part of the Israeli DNA (Tami Lehman-Wilzig) Rooms 106-107, Lower Level

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Marrying Israel Education and Philosophy for Young Children: Creative Opportunities and Possibilities (Dr. Howard Deitcher) Elovitz Board Room, Upper Level

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Eretz Yisrael Sheli Yaffa! (Julie Thaler) Rooms 1-2, Tichnor Conference Center

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Dancing With the Stars...In Your Classroom (Lorraine Posner Arcus) Rooms 4-5, Tichnor Conference Center

1:15 to 1:45pm

Lunch and Limmud

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2:00 to 3:30pm

Tuesday Breakout Session 3

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Hebrew From a Young Age: Benefits and Strategies (Arnee Winshall, et al) Rooms 102-103, Lower Level

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Land of the Bible, Land of Today: Blueprint for Environmental Protection (Tami Lehman-Wilzig) Rooms 106-107, Lower Level

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Using Stones as a Creative Storytelling Tool to Teach About Israel (Ronit BenShir) Room 111, Lower Level

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Israel Through Loose Parts in an Outdoor Setting (Kat Horion) Rooms 1-2, Tichnor Conference Center

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My Heart is in the East, and I am in the West (Lorraine Posner Arcus) Rooms 4-5, Tichnor Conference Center

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Travelin’ To Eretz Yisrael: Super Easy Children’s Songs About Israel (Ellen Allard) Berenson Hall, Lower Level

OFF-SITE SCHOOL VISITS TUESDAY OCTOBER 30, 2018 7:00 to 8:30pm

Congregation Beth El Sudbury

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 31, 2018 8:00 to 10:00am

Frances Jacobson Early Childhood Center, Temple Israel - Boston

8:30 to 11:30am

The Rashi School – Dedham

10:00am to 12noon JCDS, Boston’s Jewish Community Day School - Watertown 10:15am to 12noon Gann Academy – Waltham 12:30pm to 3:00pm Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston - Newton

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SESSION DESCRIPTIONS M O N D A Y, O C T O B E R 2 9 , 2 0 1 8 For All Educators 10:45am to 12:15pm Monday Morning Breakout Sessions Personal Connections to Israel and Israelis: Lessons from the Boston-Haifa Connection Marla Olsberg, Program Manager, CJP Boston-Haifa School to School Connection; and Panel Facilitator; Shoni Aronovich, HiBur Program Coordinator, Congregation Beth El Sudbury; Dr. Jonathan Golden, History Teacher, Gann Academy; Iris Schor, Chair, CJP Boston-Haifa Jewish Education and Identity Committee; Rabbi Sharon Clevenger, Middle School Rabbi,The Rashi School; Me’ir Sherer, Director of Congregational Learning,Temple Emunah; Andrea Shapiro, Dor Chadash (Young Family) Program Coordinator, Temple Emanuel Berenson Hall, Lower Level

When the Boston-Haifa Connection began 30 years ago with the vision to connect Israelis and Jewish Americans, no one fully understood then the personal and professional impact that this partnership would have on its participants and our communities. In this session, panelists representing our School to School Connections from day schools and supplementary schools (Elementary through High School), preschools and other educational settings will share the value that this partnership has added for them, their students, families and communities. We will also explore the challenges and opportunities of these connections and how other communities can benefit from this model.

Reimagining Hebrew in our Communities Tal Gale, Senior Program Director, Hebrew at the Center; and Panel Facilitator; Dr. Shiri Katz Gershon, Hebrew Language Acquisition Specialist; Dr. Scott Goldberg, Associate Professor of Jewish Education,Yeshiva University; David Dolev, Managing Director - Middle East, MIT MISTI Program; Liat Kadosh, Hebrew at the Center, Lead Advisor Rooms 106-107, Lower Level

Hebrew can strengthen our community’s connection to Israel, the Jewish tradition and the Jewish people. Join this interactive panel discussion to hear different perspectives on the role of Hebrew. Following the panel presentation, participants will also have the opportunity to reflect on their current thinking and approaches to Hebrew language teaching.

Encountering Israel Through Culture Marion Gribetz, Director of Pardes Educators Program of Hebrew College Rooms 102-103, Lower Level

Contemporary Israeli culture is influenced by general culture, centuries of Jewish traditions (from all over the world) and current realities. We will delve into art, music, and poetry to explore how these various influences manifest themselves. Participants will have the opportunity to explore and experience how these media can help bring connection and meaning to us, our students and communities.

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SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

(CONTINUED)

A Very Short Introduction to Zionism and Israel Rabbi Dr. David Starr, Executive Director, Tzion Elovitz Board Room, Upper Level

How did Zionism transform a community of twenty-thousand poor Orthodox Jews living in Palestine in 1880 into a vigorous secular proto-state, Hebrew-speaking society and culture in 1948? How did the 1967 war change Israel? How has Israel evolved regarding three core Zionist commitments: the political idea of a Jewish and democratic state; the social idea of a mixed socialist/capitalist economy; the cultural idea of the social contract between religious and secular Judaism? Rabbi Starr will address these questions as well as others regarding the impact of Zionism on Israel, and suggest ways to incorporate these ideas into the classroom.

1:45 to 3:15pm Monday Afternoon Breakout Sessions Bringing the Multiple Dimensions of Israel to Our Community Rabbi David Lerner, Senior Rabbi, Temple Emunah Rooms 102-103, Lower Level

There are many ways to connect to and engage with Israel. Rabbi Lerner will share the many opportunities that Temple Emunah in Lexington has created for the community and beyond to engage with Israel. Through family trips to Israel, deep learning about history and current affairs, movies, cooking, team nights, shishi Israeli celebrations with the Israeli-American community, a series of facilitated “Constructive Conversations about Israel,” Yom Hazikaron commemoration,Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration and much more. In this session participants will also have the opportunity to share their programs, challenges and success as we work together to create meaningful and lasting engagement and connection with Israel wherever people are.

The Jewish Relationship to the Land of Israel: Biblical and Ancient Foundations Dr. David Bernat, Executive Director of Synagogue Council of Massachusetts Rooms 106-107, Lower Level

The session will look at Biblical and other foundational texts, as well as historical and archaeological data, that speak to the origins of the Jewish connection to the Land of Israel. Arguably, this ancient framework set the tone for the Jewish tie to the land for millennia and laid the cornerstone for the modern Zionist movement and for the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.

The Mystics on the Hilltop (Torah Godly Play) Rabbi Dr. Michael Shire, Chief Academic Officer, Hebrew College, and Dean, Shoolman Graduate School and Jewish

Studies Program Rooms 4-5, Tichnor Conference Center

The town of Safed (Sefat) is one of the most spiritual and alluring of all the special places in Israel. It also is the highest town in Israel perched on a mountain top. It is no wonder mystics came and found extraordinary spiritual power there, and, through their quest, created a new relationship with time and space that illuminates and colours every Shabbat of every Jew today! Through a Torah Godly Play story, we will explore this fascinating experience of the mystics and the resonance that this special place has for us in our time.

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T U E S D A Y, O C T O B E R 3 0 , 2 0 1 8 9:45 to 11:15am Tuesday Breakout Session 1 Look But Don’t Touch! How Can a Cactus Connect Our Preschoolers to Israel in a Meaningful Way? Sharon Cores, Teacher, Jewish Preschool of Lexington Rooms 102-103, Lower Level

A simple cactus from the local store is just one example of a provocation that can be used to stimulate exploration and connect to Israel. Join us for an interactive workshop retracing the emergent curriculum that unfolded as the result of our classroom’s interaction with a cactus. Hear how the children responded to the ‘cactus art’ work of Israeli artist Ron Gang with their curiosity and desire to correspond with him, and how he taught the children about many things including the relationship between a Sabra cactus and the people of Israel.

Learn how the children’s questions and curiosity helped inspire further connections between the Sabra cactus and the senses (including taste), the desert, the Torah, Passover, and the balance of nature.

Nobody Puts Israel in the Corner: Creating a Culture of Israel Education in an Early Childhood Classroom Rebecca Weiner, Judaica Specialist, Charlotte Jewish Preschool Rooms 106-107, Lower Level

Israel education for young children should not be relegated to a single space in the classroom; rather, Israel can be integrated into each learning center in an authentic way. In this session, participants will look beyond flags and falafel to engage students ages 1-6 in Israel education through a learner-centered environment. We will observe how Israeli arts and culture can create an environment for preliterate students to connect to Israel from an American classroom so we can bring fresh ideas for engagement back to our preschools.

Encountering Israel Through Culture Marion Gribetz, Director of Pardes Educators Program, Hebrew College Elovitz Board Room, Upper Level

Contemporary Israeli culture is influenced by general culture, centuries of Jewish traditions (from all over the world) and current realities. We’ll delve into art, music, and poetry to explore how these various influences manifest themselves. Participants will have the opportunity to explore and experience how these media can help bring connection and meaning to us, our students and communities.

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SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

(CONTINUED)

Israel and Young Families: How Do We introduce Families with Young children to the “Concept” of Israel, If They Have Never Visited?

Andrea Shapiro, Dor Chadash (Young Family) Program Coordinator, Temple Emanuel Rooms 1-2, Tichnor Conference Center

For families who have never visited Israel and have no personal connection, it can be a difficult concept and idea to grasp. Israel is so much more than hummus, falafel, and war. Ranked as the 11th happiest country in the world by the UN World Happiness Report, Israel has been the focus of yearning and dreams of Jews all over the world for 2,000 years, and now is a nation at the forefront of technology and innovation, as well as one of the first to arrive to provide hi-tech disaster relief assistance in other countries. How do we share this with our families?

What should people know about Israel? What can we do in the classroom, and what can families do at home to encourage learning, questioning and a deepening thirst for knowledge?

Using Children’s Literature to Teach Young Learners about Israel, Israeli Culture, and Hebrew Liat Kadosh, Senior Advisor, Hebrew at the Center, and Vered Goldstein, Hebrew Instructional Leader for Early

Childhood, Milton Gottesman JDS; Coach, Hebrew at the Center Rooms 4-5, Tichnor Conference Center

There are many ways to connect children to Hebrew, Israel, and Israeli culture. We will explore how children’s literature can be used both inside and outside of the classroom to increase these connections as well as Hebrew language acquisition. Participants will leave the session with multiple examples of literature and tools to maximize their student’s learning. Please come prepared to share some of your favorite stories and books.

Rhythm ‘n’ Ruach: Using Drumming and Singing To Help Kids Fall In Love With Israel Ellen Allard, Musician Berenson Hall, Lower Level

Open a magical door to the world of Rhythm’n’ Ruach. Drumming, singing, rhythm instruments, dancing, scarves and ribbons, learning hebrew words and values, yoga, stories and meditation all combine to take learning about Israel for young children to a whole new level. Come and see what the excitement is all about! P.S. Guitar & drum skills are not a prerequisite though it is helpful.

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11:30am to 1:00pm

Tuesday Breakout Session 2

From the Birds and the Bees in Northern Israel to Machane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem: New ways to Bring Israel to your Preschool Classroom Heidi Baker, Director, Beth Avodah preschool; Juliette Landesman, Teacher; Stacey Gabriel, Teacher; Amy Blotner, Art Specialist Rooms 102-103, Lower Level

Can you dance the Hora? Can you wave an Israeli flag? Let us move beyond that and experience the real Israel!

Did you know that the HulaValley in northern Israel is a central bird migration area that attracts thousands of birds every year? We will use interactive activities to bring you some of following: the Science Center of Haifa, the marketplace of Jerusalem, archaeology in the south. Come share in the adventure of Israel as we provide ideas for your classroom.

DiverCity: Multi-Cultural is Part of the Israeli DNA Tami Lehman-Wilzig, American-Israeli Author Rooms 106-107, Lower Level

Like America, Israel is a melting pot of cultures with Jews from all over the world living in every Israeli city.

American-Israeli author Tami Lehman-Wilzig will show how she used Israel as her laboratory to find unique customs for celebrating Shabbat and all the Jewish holidays. Many fun and engaging customs can be incorporated into the classroom, and Tami will show you how to do so through her books, Hanukkah Around the World, Passover Around the World and her unique, digital-story/lesson-plan series Shabbat Around the World.

Marrying Israel Education and Philosophy for Young Children: Creative Opportunities and Possibilities Dr. Howard Deitcher, Director, Florence Melton Institute, Hebrew University Elovitz Board Room, Upper Level

Philosophy for Children (P4C) is an educational approach that engages children in critical and creative thinking.

It builds upon young children’s sense of wonder and curiosity about ideas that are vitally important to them.

This interactive workshop on Israel Education will invite early childhood educators to explore innovative and stimulating ways to present Bible stories that touch on themes of Israel in engaging and meaningful ways. We will study a Biblical text about Israel that examines the following themes and their impact on the lives of young children: differences between a house and a home, the process of moving to a new home, and the importance of names in shaping our identity.

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SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

(CONTINUED)

Eretz Yisrael Sheli Yaffa!

Julie Thaler, Kindergarten Teacher, Westchester Day School Mamaroneck Rooms 1-2, Tichnor Conference Center

Make Israel an everyday part of your classroom life! During Ma’agal time, we will sit around a giant floor map of Israel and learn about key places. Using loose parts to fill in the map and learn about key topographical aspects such as Har (mountain) Hermon in the north down to coral reefs in Eilat. Using a large array of art materials, we will fill in and enhance our floor map creating a 3D map.

Dancing With the Stars...In Your Classroom Lorraine Posner Arcus, Educational Consultant Rooms 4-5, Tichnor Conference Center

Celebrate Israel’s 70th birthday with your students by including Israeli Dance in your Early Childhood classroom.

Participants will learn approximately ten age-appropriate folk dances that may be easily taught in the classroom space. Children will love the opportunity to move around to the Israeli beat! Previous folk dance experience is not necessary. Instructions and music will be made available.

2:00 to 3:30pm Tuesday Breakout Session 3 Hebrew From a Young Age: Benefits and Strategies Arnee Winshall, Founding President and CEO, Hebrew at the Center; Vicky Benedek, Director, Jewish Preschool of Lexington; Dr. Shiri Katz Gershon, Hebrew Language Acquisition Specialist; Vered Goldstein, Hebrew Instructional Leader for Early Childhood, Milton Gottesman JDS; Coach, Hebrew at the Center.; Shira Rubin, Founder, Hebrew Play; Director of Congregational Learning,Temple Kehillath Israel; Ruhama Shitrit, Hebrew Specialist, Solomon Schechter Day

School of Greater Boston Rooms 102-103, Lower Level

Research shows the cognitive and cultural benefit of teaching second language starting at a young age. Including Hebrew in Jewish education also helps strengthen Jewish identity and connection to Jewish people and stories. In this session, panelists will share strategies to bring more Hebrew to our communities even if the community has limited access to native Hebrew speakers.

Land of the Bible, Land of Today: Blueprint for Environmental Protection Tami Lehman-Wilzig, American-Israeli Author Rooms 106-107, Lower Level

The world’s “Start-Up Nation” has been at the cutting edge of innovation ever since its inception over 3,500 years ago. How can we incorporate this message into our classroom? Using her book, Green Bible Stories for Children, American-Israeli author Tami Lehman-Wilzig will demonstrate the trailblazing power of the bible and its land, that provided the blueprint for environmental protection – from sustainable herding, to reduce, reuse and recycle, to harnessing the sun for solar power. Through her book, Stork’s Landing, and other stories, she will show how modern-day Israel is true to its ecological roots.

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Using Stones as a Creative Storytelling Tool to Teach About Israel Ronit BenShir, Educational Consultant Room 111, Lower Level

Stories and storytelling have a significant place in the Jewish tradition and have a powerful impact on children and adults. In this session, Ronit will introduce a creative technique using stones to tell stories, and in particular, stories about Israel. This approach will help connect participants on a personal level and explore ways to share it with children and their families. This session is open to all educators no matter their level of connection or familiarity with Israel.

Israel Through Loose Parts in an Outdoor Setting Kat Horion, Teacher, Jewish Creative Preschool Rooms 1-2, Tichnor Conference Center

Explore the use of loose parts, both large and small, in an outdoor setting; gain concrete ideas to use Reggio inspired practices outdoors that will allow children to explore the concept of Israel through child led and openended experiences in nature. We will share successful strategies for introducing the concept of Israel as a real place, which exists both as a modern country as well as a historical setting. We will show how loose parts can create a sense of wonder and give strategies to allow children a way to explore a dessert, the Mediterranean Sea, the Dead Sea, Tall Mountains, and even a bustling kibbutz from within our own New England outdoor spaces.

We will discuss risk assessment strategies for choosing appropriate, engaging, and challenging materials that will create a sense of being in another climate, another culture and even another time.

My Heart is in the East, and I am in the West Lorraine Posner Arcus, Educational Consultant Rooms 4-5, Tichnor Conference Center

For thousands of years, Jews, such as the poet,Yehudah Halevi, have yearned for Jerusalem in the East. Tradition tells us to place beautiful artwork on the Eastern wall of our homes and prayer spaces. Learn about this Jewish custom of “Mizrach” and view artwork of ancient and contemporary styles. Where do Jews in varying hemispheres place their “Mizrach?” Explore other ritual items in our home and school. How do customs differ among Jews from various backgrounds? What new ritual items might we create? Fashion your own “Mizrach” from readily available materials. Share today’s experiences with your young students.

Travelin’ To Eretz Yisrael: Super Easy Children’s Songs About Israel Ellen Allard, Musician Berenson Hall, Lower Level

“We’re travelin’ along, we’re travelin’ along, we’re travelin’ along to Israel!” Join Ellen Allard for a high energy musical journey to Eretz Yisrael featuring mostly-English songs that Ellen composed specifically for music and non-music teachers who want to weave Israel into their early childhood classrooms. Return to your programs ready to invite your students on their own musical journey to Israel.

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AT THE TRAIN STATION Artist Statement:

By Nira Raz, Sculptress For years I had contemplated creating a statue of an Israeli soldier, but could not satisfactorily envision his image. I finally found him, in 2012, on the platform of a train station.

On a scorching and humid summer afternoon at a Haifa train station, while waiting for the train to arrive, my granddaughter Dahlia and I noticed a soldier holding and affectionately looking at a small bunch of flowers. I wondered whether he was bringing them to his mother; my granddaughter definitively declared they were for his girlfriend. Substantially delayed, the train finally arrived. We all were pushing our way in only to find out that it was already quite full. Many of the passengers were soldiers on vacation on their way home. Many, sitting or lying down on the coach’s floor, embracing their weapons, were resting, napping, or reading a book. Standing at the very spot where we boarded the train, unable to move further, Dahlia observed our soldier, as she named him, on a seat in the middle of the coach. We were happy for him. I was gazing through the window as the train moved when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned my head, surprised to see our soldier behind me. “Please, have my seat,” he said. He insisted and I accepted his offer. Leaping over packages and soldiers I reached the empty seat.

The soldier made sure that no one else would occupy it.

There and then I was convinced - the flowers were indeed on their way to his mother. Arriving at Tel-Aviv, our destination, we looked around for our soldier but, regretfully, missed him.

On the very next morning I started sculpting an Israeli soldier carrying a gun and flowers on his way home.

I named it “At the Train Station.”

Nira Raz, Sculptress

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Born in Israel, Nira lives and creates in Haifa. She studied art in the USA and Israel. She has exhibited her artwork in over 100 shows in Israel and around the world. Several of her sculptures are on permanent display in places like the Opera House in Tel Aviv and outdoors in the city of Migdal-Haemek. She works with a variety of materials including wood, metal and marble.

ISRAELCHIK

‫ישראלצ’יק‬

Artist Statement:

By Nira Raz, Sculptress Like most Israelis I yearn for peace. I created this work of art in 2002. I do not recall what drove me to create it then - but peace is still a faraway dream. When will it come?

The clock portrays the loss of the passing of time. Furthermore, in order to enhance the effect of the passing of time, the material chosen was unpainted iron sheets allowed to rust.

I nicknamed the State of Israel, “Israelchik.” By adding ‘chik’ to a name it makes it small, young and naive. A silhouette image of the map of Israel is positioned on the front board of the clock possessing the likeness of a person. The clock hands are transformed into human arms.

Looking up, Israelchik raises his hands towards the dove standing on top of the clock crown.

“When?” he is asking the Dove, a symbol of peace. The Dove, bending down and looking at Israelchik, is asking him the very same question.

Half of the time-marks (hours 1 to 6) exhibit a flow of material, leaving six empty holes, signifying wasted time. The rest (hours 7 to 12) are still intact in forms of flowers signifying hope.

The clock, with human legs, is walking….

Where is he going?

Does he know the way?

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PRESENTER BIOS DANIEL AGRANOV Daniel Agranov brings to the position of Deputy Consul General of Israel to New England more than a decade of experience in Foreign Service. He has been a member of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2008, previously serving in embassies and consulates in Europe, Asia and Africa.

After joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Daniel served his first overseas assignments at the Embassy of Israel in Angola (2009) and the Embassy of Israel in Kazakhstan (2010).

In 2011, Daniel moved to St. Petersburg, where he served as Deputy Head of Mission, and led an historic effort to open the first Israeli Consulate in Russia.

In his first diplomatic posting in the United States, Daniel served as the Deputy Consul General of Israel at the Consulate in Houston (2014). After his successful tenure in the United States, Daniel moved back to Israel where he was appointed to serve at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Department for Combating Antisemitism and Holocaust Remembrance (2017).

Agranov was born in Leningrad, USSR and made Aliya with his family to Israel at the age of eleven. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Biology and a Master’s in Business Administration in Finance and Marketing, both from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

ELLEN ALLARD Ellen, a multi award-winning recording artist, music educator, composer, performer, and music coach, is one of the most influential musicians on today’s Jewish music scene. Traveling throughout the US and abroad, Ellen has been performing and teaching music to young children, adults and families for over 40 years. Her repertoire of over 300 songs is featured across 14 recordings and 7 songbooks; her music has been published by fellow singer-songwriters on 31 recordings and 11 books. Ellen’s songs are sung in schools, synagogues and summer camps worldwide, and are part of the curriculum for Hebrew Union College, Hebrew College, Jewish Theological Seminary and Aleph.

In addition to presenting workshops and keynotes on the importance of music in the lives of young children, Ellen is a regular faculty member and presenter at Hava Nashira, Song Leader Boot Camp, NewCAJE, and the Hebrew College Early Childhood Conference; she regularly

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presents workshops, leads family worship, and performs on the Jewish Rock Radio stage at the URJ Biennial.

She is a cantorial soloist at Mishkan Tefila, Brookline, MA. Most recently, Ellen has begun teaching Rhythm ‘n’ Ruach classes, a high energy music program for children and families, created to help children and their families celebrate joyful Judaism. Ellen holds a BA in music from Boston University and a master’s degree in early childhood education from Arcadia University. Ellen is certified as a holistic health coach, baby/toddler yoga teacher, and Kidding Around Yoga and Yoga Yeladim teacher.

LORRAINE POSNER ARCUS A 2001 recipient of the prestigious Covenant Award for Outstanding Creative Jewish Educators, Lorraine is nationally recognized for her work in the fields of Early Childhood Education as well as Israeli Dance for children and teens.

Lorraine is currently a Judaic Curriculum consultant.

SHONI ARONOVICH Shoni teaches middle school and high school classes at Congregation Beth El Sudbury and is the advisor for WASTY (We Are Sudbury Temple Youth). He also coordinates the HiBuR program, which features a weeklong visit by 10th-graders from seven congregations with host families in Haifa, Israel and a visit to congregations in the US by the Israeli teens. A native of Tel Aviv, Shoni has been with Congregation Beth El since 2017. He holds a B.A. in Jewish Philosophy and Jewish History and a B.Ed. in Jewish Philosophy, all from Tel Aviv University’s Ofakim program

HEIDI BAKER, MJED ’08 Heidi has been Temple Beth Avodah’s Early Learning Center Director for over twenty years and the Director of Education for preschool through grade 5 for several years.

She received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and received a Master’s Degree in Jewish Education from Hebrew College. Heidi is a founding member and past president of Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism (ECE-RJ). She is an active member of the Boston-Haifa Early Childhood Educators’ Connection and has participated in many Mifgashim in Boston and Haifa.

VICKY BENEDEK, ECE CERT. ’02, ECE DIRECTOR’S CERT. ’08 Vicky Benedek has been the director of The Jewish Preschool of Lexington for 26 years and has been an active participant of the Boston-Haifa Early Childhood Educators’ Connection. Prior to her work at the Jewish Preschool, Vicky directed the Israeli Complimentary School for five years.Vicky also taught Hebrew at Camp Yavneh for 14 summers and for a couple of years at Prozdor High School.

Vicky has a BA in Elementary Education and Special Education from Framingham State. She trained in special education at Gordon College in Haifa and was a middle school (grades 7-9) educator for seven years in Israel.Vicky participated in the year-long Project MILAH from the former Bureau of Jewish Education that culminated in three weeks of study at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.Vicky received her Certificate in Early Childhood Education and a Director’s Certificate from Hebrew College.

RONIT BENSHIR, MJED – ECE ’16 Ronit is an Early Childhood Educator who grew up in Israel. Her path as an educator began during her Army service, when she was a youth chapter leader in the city of Kiryat Motzkin. She received a BA in Early Childhood Education from Oranim, Academic College of Education, Israel and earned her Masters in Jewish Education from Hebrew College. She moved to USA in 1991 and has been an Early Childhood educator in the Boston area ever since. In 2002, she opened and served as founding director of the JCC Early Learning Center in Acton. After nine years in Acton, Ronit became the Director of the Early Learning Center at the JCC of Greater Boston in Newton, growing the school from 10 to 15 classrooms. After 19 years working at the JCC, she started an independent practice as Consultant, and a faculty member at the Bunker Hill Community College. Ronit is an active member of the Boston-Haifa Early Childhood Educators’ Connection and has participated in many Mifgashim.

DAVID BERNAT, PHD Executive Director of Synagogue Council of Massachusetts, Lecturer in Judaic Studies at UMass Amherst and Me’ah instructor at Hebrew College. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the Jewish Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in

Biblical Interpretation from Brandeis University. Dr. Bernat is the author of Sign of the Covenant: Circumcision in the Priestly Traditions, co-editor of Religion and Violence: The Biblical Heritage (with Jonathan Klawans, Boston University professor and previous Me’ah faculty member). He has been with the Me’ah program since 1997, and planned and led Me’ah’s summer Israel Study tour. His research focuses on ritual and violence in Jewish texts and traditions.

AMY BLOTNER Amy Jo Blotner is a professional photographer and art teacher. Amy has been teaching at Temple Beth Avodah in Newton for the past ten years, 7 years as a classroom teacher, 3 years as the Art Specialist. Amy has spent the last 16 summers as Head of Photography at Camp Tevya in New Hampshire. Amy had the pleasure of traveling to Israel in 2017 on the Boston-Haifa Early Childhood Seminar. She has incorporated many Israel inspired ideas into the art program at Beth Avodah. Amy is an avid runner and was thrilled that she was able to run in the 2017 Tel Aviv marathon.

RABBI SHARON CLEVENGER Sharon Clevenger is in her tenth year as the Middle School Rabbi at the Rashi School in Dedham, Mass. In her position, she teaches Jewish Studies for grades 7 and 8 and oversees Jewish life for the Middle School, including weekday worship and Kabbalat Shabbat. Rabbi Clevenger runs the CJP-funded School Partnership program with her colleagues at the Leo Baeck School in Haifa. That program consists of annual week-long visits to Boston/Rashi by a delegation from Haifa and five days spent in Israel with the Haifa delegates serving as the hosts and travel partners for the Rashi students. A key focus of these two exchanges is Jewish identity. She also organizes the Shinshin program at Rashi, where two Israeli youth spend two days a week at Rashi, teaching Israel in every grade and every subject throughout the school.

Rabbi Clevenger previously served as Associate Rabbi at Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley, Mass., where she taught numerous adult-learning classes as well as created and implemented a wide range of youth education programs.

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HELEN COHEN Helen has been in the forefront of shaping the direction of early childhood education in the Boston area for many years. She is the Founding Director of the Frances Jacobson Early Childhood Center at Temple Israel, where she has served as Executive Director since 1994. She has been instrumental in developing early childhood curricula, has trained both graduate and undergraduate students at Wheelock and Hebrew College and is a former board member of The Boston Association for the Education of Young Children. Helen has also taught at a graduate level in Singapore training future directors and people in leadership positions. Helen’s work with parents, on a daily basis as well as in more formal settings such as workshops, lectures and parenting programs, enables her to understand the challenges of parenting and how best to be a support.

Helen is an active participant of the Boston-Haifa Early Childhood Educators’ Connection and has participated in many Mifgashim in Haifa and Boston.

His current areas of research include: Jewish Spiritual Development, The Philosophical World of Young Children and Philosophical and Theological Questions in Bible Education. He has published numerous articles, co-edited four books and produced several teaching guides that are being used in schools in Israel and around the Jewish world.

Deitcher is currently directing educational projects in five countries worldwide and is involved in educational research projects in Israel, Europe, and North America.

SHARON CORES, ECE CERT ’02

DAVID DOLEV, MJED ’05

Sharon is celebrating her 18th year as a teacher at the Jewish Preschool of Lexington, having previously obtained a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and working in a variety of residential and clinical settings for over 20 years. Prior to receiving her Early Childhood Certification through the Early Childhood Institute at Hebrew College, Sharon developed and facilitated toddler playgroups, Tot Shabbat and preschool religious school programs. Sharon is the Lead Teacher in the Pre-k class and especially loves introducing young children to the natural wonders and artistic representations of the world around them. An active participant of the Boston-Haifa Early Childhood Educators’ Connection, Sharon participated in the very first Boston-Haifa Early Childhood Educators’ Connection Israel Seminar that took place in 2012. Since then she has participated in many Mifgashim in Boston and serves as a mentor to other educators.

David Dolev is Assistant Director of MISTI and Managing Director of MISTI’s programs in the Middle East. In his role as Assistant Director, David coordinates MISTI’s Resource Development and oversees MISTI’s Global Seed Funds. David is the Founding Manager of the MIT-Israel Program and MIT-Arab World pilot program, in addition to Managing Director of the MIT-MEET program. He is responsible for developing projects in these regions with MIT students, faculty, corporate partners, academic institutions, foundations and government organizations.

David also established the MISTI Global Teaching Labs in Israel, Jordan and Morocco, an initiative to bring MIT’s unique approach to STEM education to high schools in the region. Prior to and during his time at MIT, David launched several for-profit and non-profit social impact ventures and initiatives locally and globally. He has published articles and received awards for his work on intercultural relations, most recently the MIT Excellence Award for Advancing Inclusion and Global Perspectives.

David has a B.S in Economics and Management via a joint program of the Open University and Ben-Gurion University and an MJEd from Hebrew College.

RABBI HOWARD DEITCHER, PHD Rabbi Dr. Howard Deitcher is a faculty member of The Hebrew University’s Melton Centre for Jewish Education and a former Director. He is the current Director of the Florence Melton Institute at the Hebrew University that

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offers programs in Jewish learning for adults worldwide. He also serves as the academic adviser for the Legacy Heritage Fund Institute for Jewish Studies Teachers at the Hebrew University. Dr Deitcher is a member of the Israeli Ministry of Education’s Committee on Teaching Bible in National Schools and is part of a team that is preparing a new student book and teacher guide for teaching Bible in Israeli schools. He is a member of the Executive Board of the Israel Centre for Philosophy in Education and Philosophy for Children.

STACEY GABRIEL

SHIRI KATZ-GERSHON, PHD

Stacey is the Early Learning Center’s Lead Teacher in Charge and Religious School’s Inclusion Coordinator at Temple Beth Avodah in Newton, Massachusetts. She has been teaching in the three and four-year-old classroom for the past 16 years. Prior to that she was Lead Teacher at the May Institute of Early Childhood in Arlington, Massachusetts and Lead Teacher at Dearborn Academy in Arlington, Massachusetts. Stacey holds a BA in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Intensive Special Education. Stacey is also Massachusetts State Certified in Elementary Education, Intensive Special Education and ECE Certified. Stacey is an active participant at the Boston-Haifa Educators’ Connection. She participated in the Boston-Haifa Early Childhood Educators’ Connection trip to Israel in 2012 as well as the ECE-RJ, Israel Experience Conference in Israel this past February. Stacey has a passion for integrating Israel in to classroom and will often use her experience in Israel as a teaching tool.

Dr. Katz-Gershon is Adjunct Professor in the Shoolman Graduate School of Hebrew College. Shiri’s areas of expertise and research are the fields of memory and first and second language acquisition. Dr. Katz-Gershon earned her BA and MA at Tel Aviv University in Cognitive Psychology focusing on aphasia and team-developed memory enhancement workshops. Dr. Katz-Gershon studied Dyslexia at Wayne State University (Michigan) and completed a Masters in Linguistics. Her PhD dissertation examined ways that infant-directed speech in African American English and Standard American English facilitates word segmentation in that cohort. In Boston, Dr. KatzGershon did post-doctoral work at the Judge Baker Children’s Center on the behavioral and emotional effects of the attrition of Spanish in a population of children from Spanish speaking homes, showing the criticality of maintaining a child’s mother tongue. Dr. Katz-Gershon has taught a variety of courses in cognitive psychology, speech perception and research methods at Northeastern University, Lasell College and Emerson College. While teaching part time in universities, she also taught and promoted the study of Hebrew as a second language to children with learning disabilities at local Jewish day schools.

TAL GALE Tal is Senior Program Director at Hebrew at the Center (HATC). Tal has served as Senior Program Director at HATC for the past two years. Tal has a BA and MA in Near Eastern Judaic Studies with a concentration in Hebrew Literature and pedagogy from Brandeis University. She has also pursued post-graduate studies at Tel Aviv University in Hebrew Literature and at UCLA in Educational Leadership. From 2010-2014 she served as North American Program and Education Director of the Diller Teen Fellows Program where she managed local teen leadership programs in collaboration with 10 North American Jewish Federations and promoted partnerships between local programs and their respective Israeli partner communities. Tal has published articles on the topic of Jewish Peoplehood and has contributed to the Peoplehood Education Toolkit, an initiative of the Center for Jewish Peoplehood Education and the UJA Federation. In addition to her work, Tal serves on the Board of Directors of the Council of Hebrew Language and Culture in North America.

SCOTT J. GOLDBERG, PHD Dr. Scott Goldberg is a teacher, consultant and researcher in a variety of areas including multilingual literacy development and assessment, religious/spiritual development and assessment, human and organizational behavior, teaching and learning, leadership, online/blended learning, systems of support for students, differentiated instruction and the connection between learning disabilities and behavior problems. Scott is the author of MaDYK (Mivchan Dinami shel Y’cholot Kriah) used in Jewish day schools to assess and monitor Hebrew literacy development.

As Chairman of the Koren Publishers Educational Editorial Board, he led a team of educators to vision, write and illustrate a new series of developmentally appropriate siddurim for children and youth, including the Koren Children’s Siddur, Koren Youth Siddur, and Koren

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PRESENTER BIOS

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Ani Tefila Weekday Siddur. Scott was Vice Provost of Yeshiva University from 2013 to 2016, partnering with the university’s Provost (Chief Academic Officer) to lead and manage the academic enterprise of YU, including all undergraduate and graduate programs and schools. He was the inaugural director of the YU School Partnership (YUSP), the arm of the university that he envisioned to advance the field of Jewish education through partnership with educators, lay leaders, and schools. Scott has served on several national panels and committees that address the most challenging issues in Jewish education today, including the shortage of qualified leaders for our schools, the economic challenges facing Jewish education, the spiritual development of our children and youth, and issues related to Hebrew language and literacy. He started his career as a teacher of children with learning disabilities and developed a private practice to counsel and advocate for individuals with disabilities and their families. Scott is a tenured professor at Yeshiva University’s Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education. He holds a Ph.D. in Applied Psychology from New York University, an M.S.Ed. in Special Education from Bank Street College of Education in New York and a B.A. in Jewish Studies from the University of Chicago.

JONATHAN GOLDEN, PHD, MJED ’97 Dr. Jonathan Golden is the Israel Curriculum Coordinator and an American history teacher at Gann Academy, Waltham, MA where he has taught since 1999. During his career at Gann, he has taught AP American History, chaired the History Department, served as Assistant Head of School and Director of Academic Operations, and mentored numerous teachers and department chair. A graduate of

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Princeton University, he received his MJEd from Hebrew College and Ph.D. from Brandeis University. At Brandeis, he studied American Jewish history under the tutelage of Professor Jonathan Sarna and wrote a dissertation entitled “From Cooperation to Confrontation: The Rise and Fall of the Synagogue Council of America.”

In 2007, Dr. Golden was the recipient of Hebrew College’s Sydney Hillson Memorial Award for Distinguished Leadership in and Commitment to Jewish Education.

In 2014, he received the AJC Boston Young Leadership Award. In 2018, he was given CJP’s Chai in the Hub award honoring the contributions of young professionals and lay leaders in the greater Boston Jewish community.

He is a member of the AJC New England Regional Board and he serves on the Steering Committee of AJC’s Contemporary Jewish Life Commission and the Jewish Religious Equality Coalition (JREC). He also serves on the Board of Trustees for Camp Yavneh.

VERED GOLDSTEIN Vered is a coach working at Hebrew at the Center (HATC).

She earned a BA in Education with Honors from Tel Aviv University. She also has a Master’s degree in Special Education from Middlesex University in London.Vered taught at the Wolfson Hillel Primary Day School in Southgate London from 1997-2000. Since 2002,Vered has taught Hebrew and Judaics at the Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School of the Nation’s Capital. In 2013,Vered became the Hebrew and Judaic Instructional Leader for Early

Childhood at Milton Gottesman. In this role, she has worked with HATC to lead the charge to revise the school’s Hebrew curriculum and implement the Proficiency Approach. She has also supervised and mentored her fellow teachers.

MARION GRIBETZ A member of the Hebrew College faculty since 1995, Marion Gribetz is director of the Pardes Educators Program in the Shoolman Graduate School of Jewish Education. Gribetz has taught courses on a variety of topics in contemporary Jewish education and the place of art in Jewish education. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Barnard College and a master’s degree from Tufts University, was a Jerusalem Fellow and studied Jewish education and Jewish art at Hebrew University.

AMIR GRINSTEIN, PHD Amir Grinstein is Associate Professor of Marketing at Northeastern University and VU Amsterdam. He holds BA, MBA and PhD degrees from the Hebrew University, Jerusalem and he was a post-doctorate fellow at Harvard Business School. Professor Grinstein’s research and teaching interests are focused on two core issues: (1) the interface between marketing and society/public policy, especially various social and environmental contexts such as the enhancement of “green”, healthy or other socially-desirable behaviors and the effectiveness of de-marketing; and (2) marketing strategy, including the study of strategic orientations and international marketing topics such as national branding.

Following his passion for Israel and its innovative culture, Professor Grinstein has been engaged in multiple initiatives in the last few years. First, he has developed a program in which Northeastern students travel to Israel and together with Ben-Gurion University students consult local startups.

Second, together with other volunteers in the Boston area he has organized the Israel Inspired Hope Makers events – a form of local TED-like talks of inspiring speakers related to Israel. Finally, he is part of the leadership team of 50 50 Startups, an incubator the making that aims to be the first to create and mentor equally owned Israeli-Palestinian technology startups.

KAT HORION Kat has been a Jewish Early Childhood Educator for almost 15 years. She has been active in the rising field of nature curriculum and consults for both the Nature Explore program as well Second Nature Design. She is currently the lead preschool/pre-k teacher at Jewish Creative Preschool, a Reggio inspired school in Newton Highlands.

LIAT KADOSH Liat is a Senior Advisor at Hebrew at the Center (HATC).

Liat has over 25 years of experience teaching Hebrew to students and adults in Israel and the United States. She has been involved with HATC since its founding in 2007 and is a member of HATC’s Educational Leadership Team.

Liat has worked with multiple schools throughout North America and served as the coordinator of the Atlanta Regional Hebrew Initiative from 2010 to 2014.

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PRESENTER BIOS

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Currently living in Atlanta, Georgia, Liat has held the positions of Director of Hebrew at Atlanta’s Jewish Academy, Hebrew Language Director at The Epstein Middle School, Hebrew Language Coordinator at the Yeshiva High School of Atlanta, and a Hebrew language instructor at Emory University in Atlanta. Prior to moving to Atlanta, Liat taught Hebrew, wrote curriculum, and coordinated Hebrew language instruction support for students with special needs at the New Jewish High School (Gann Academy), in Waltham, MA. In Israel, Liat served as Director of the Ulpan at the Givat Washington High School campus and subsequently as co-director of the School. Liat holds a BA, Teaching License, and Educational Leadership Diploma from Bar Ilan University and an MA in Jewish Education from Siegal College of Judaic Studies, Ohio. She is also an ACTFL-certified OPI tester.

JULIETTE LANDESMAN, MJED – ECE ’10 Juliette is a Toddler teacher at Temple Beth Avodah of Newton, and has taught at other Jewish preschools in the Boston area. She has been an active member of the BostonHaifa Early Childhood Educators’ Connection where she has participated in seminars in Israel and in Boston. During the past Temple Beth Avodah Early Education Center Israel week programs, Juliette has created an Artists’ colony in Tsfat, an archaeology site in the south and an educational display about bird migration in the Hula Valley.

TAMI LEHMAN-WILZIG Tami is a published, award-winning American-Israeli author of 10 children’s books. She lives in Israel and has been writing for the North American market for the past 15 years. Her book, Keeping the Promise, is the recipient of New York State’s Charlotte Award and the International Reading Association Teacher’s Choice Award. Her book, Passover Around the World” was an Honorable Mention recipient of the Sydney Taylor Award given by the Jewish Book Council, and her book, Green Bible Stories for Children, was an Honorable Mention Children’s Book at San Francisco’s Green Book Festival.

This past December, the ADL chose her book, Nathan Blows Out the Hanukkah Candles, as its December Book of the Month (https://www.adl.org/sites/default/ files/documents/book-of-the-month-nathan-blows-outhanukkah-candles-parent-guide.pdf). PJ Library has chosen

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four of Tami’s books as selections for their North American market: Passover Around the World, Nathan Blows Out the Hanukkah Candles, Lotty’s Lace Tablecloth and Stork’s Landing. PJ has also translated three of her books into Spanish for its Mexican market: Zvuvi’s Israel, Nathan Blows Out the Hanukkah Candles, and Stork’s Landing. In 2015, Tami created her own “start-up” – a unique digital story-lesson plan series called “Shabbat Around the World.” For more information on Tami and her books, please visit: www.tlwkidsbooks.com.

RABBI DAVID LERNER A graduate of Columbia College and ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary where he was a Wexner Graduate Fellow, David Lerner is the senior rabbi of Temple Emunah of Lexington since 2004. Rabbi Lerner has served as president of the New England Region of the Rabbinical Assembly and serves on the Executive Committee of the Rabbinical Assembly. He also is the immediate past president of the Massachusetts Board of Rabbis and past chair and current treasurer of the Lexington Interfaith Clergy Association. In the summer of 2018, he co-chaired the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston’s Interfaith Clergy Seminar to Israel, initiating follow-up programs that have built bridges for Israel. He has also taken over 400 members of his community on Israel trips over the last decade.

Rabbi Lerner has also attended many AIPAC Policy Conferences, working to stop Iran from becoming a nuclear power. He also serves on the Combined Jewish Philanthropies’ “Ask A Rabbi” Rabbinic Advisory Council. His articles have appeared in Conservative Judaism, the Jewish Week (NY), Times of Israel, the Boston Jewish Advocate, the Chicago Jewish News, and the Jewish United Fund News. Recently, he has written columns breaking new ground on Intermarriage in Conservative Judaism.

He is the founder of www.clergyagainstbullets.org and an advocate for Faiths United Against Gun Violence.

MARLA OLSBERG Marla is the Project Manager of the Boston-Haifa Connection School to School Partnership of CJP. Marla staffs CJP’s Boston-Haifa Connection Jewish Ed and Identity Committee and oversees the 30 School to School partnerships that exist between Boston and Haifa.

Through her work with the Boston site coordinators, she has promoted the strengthening of Jewish Identity and peoplehood in preschool through high school settings, and with educators, parents and community members. Marla’s primary focus is to support opportunities for meaningful learning and Mifgash, (face to face shared experience) both virtually and in person, for students and educators.

Marla received her BA from Brandeis University and received her MA from the Jewish Theological Seminary in Jewish Education. Marla is certified to teach General and Judaic Studies. Marla’s primary professional experience has been in Day School, holding positions of classroom teacher, family educator, Judaic studies coordinator and Tanakh development. In addition, Marla has taught and consulted in various Jewish educational endeavors and has spent the last eight summers teaching about Israel, Jewish text and Jewish life at Camp Yavneh, in New Hampshire.

IRIS SCHOR, MJED – ECE ’16 Iris Schor is the Chair of the CJP Boston-Haifa Jewish Education and Identity Committee. Iris is an Israeli lawyer and practiced corporate law in Israel before relocating to Boston with her family. In Boston, Iris followed her passion and became a Jewish Educator and is very involved in the local Jewish community in various capacities. Iris taught both Hebrew and Judaic Studies at Solomon Schechter Day School and has been involved with the Boston-Haifa Connection for many years. Iris hold a LL.B from Haifa University, a LL.M from Tel-Aviv University and a Masters in Jewish Education from Hebrew College.

ANDREA SHAPIRO, ICENTER FELLOW Andrea Shapiro is the Dor Chadash (Young Family) Program Coordinator at Temple Emanuel in Newton. She is working on her Master’s degree in Jewish Education with a specialization in Early Childhood Education (MJED-ECE) at Hebrew College and will graduate at the end of this year. Andrea is an iCenter Fellow working on incorporating the best tools to engage children and families in Israel education. An active member of the BostonHaifa Early Childhood Educators’ Connection, Andrea has participated in seminars in Boston and Israel. Andrea has spent the last 12 years working with young children and

families as an early childhood educator. Over the past two years Andrea has developed a passion for early childhood education as it relates to Israel and has written two children books about her trip to Israel.

ME’IR SHERER, MJED ’08, JEWISH FAMILY EDUCATION CERT. ’05 As Temple Emunah’s Director of Congregational Learning, Me’ir Sherer directs the Religious School and Youth Programs, and works with rabbis and staff on synagogue programs. Me’ir holds a Master’s degree in Jewish Education from Hebrew College and another in Social Work from Boston University. He received B.A.s from Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary, List College. Me’ir also completed the Melton Senior Educators Program at Hebrew University and holds a Certificate in Jewish Family Education from Hebrew College. Previously, Me’ir served as the Director of Congregational Learning at Or Atid in Wayland and Congregation Beth Israel in Worcester, respectively. Me’ir was the Family Education Consultant at the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Boston (BJE) for a number of years. Previously, he served as the Jewish Family Educator for Temple Israel in Boston and as the Children’s Program Coordinator at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC in Newton.

Me’ir has also served on the faculty of Prozdor, the secondary school division of Hebrew College in Newton and directed their Havayah program.

RABBI MICHAEL SHIRE, PHD Rabbi Michael Shire is Chief Academic Officer of Hebrew College and Dean of the Shoolman Graduate School and Jewish Studies Program. Michael Shire joined Hebrew College in 2011 as Professor of Jewish Education and Dean of the Shoolman Graduate School of Jewish Education. In July 2015, he assumed the additional responsibilities of Chief Academic Officer of the college and Dean of the Graduate Programs in Jewish Studies. Shire received his Rabbinic Ordination from Leo Baeck College and his Ph.D. from Hebrew Union College. Rabbi Shire has published widely in the field of religious growth and development as well as the Jewish theology of childhood. He has also published four books of creative liturgy with medieval illuminations in association with the British Museum.

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RUHAMA SHITRIT Ruhama grew up in Haifa, Israel. She graduated in 1999 from the Gordon College of Education in Israel and received her B.Ed. in early childhood with certificates in pre-k to second grade. She also worked for 7 years as a pre-school teacher in Temple Or Hadash in Israel.

Ruhama moved to Newton, MA with her family and has been working as the Hebrew specialist for the last 8 years at Gan Shelanu at Solomon Schechter Day School.

Ruhama believes that teaching Hebrew as a second language should be creative and supportive in a warm environment. She seeks to provide her students with a sense of Jewish identity by speaking Hebrew and bringing her Israeli spirit and love of the Land of Israel into the classroom.

RABBI DAVID STARR, PHD Rabbi David Starr is the Executive Director of Tzion, a Program for Israel Literacy, and a visiting Research Associate of the Tauber Institute for the Study of European Jewry, Brandeis University. He previously served as Scholar in Residence for Israel Education and Programs at Gann Academy, the pluralistic Jewish high school in greater Boston. He was the founding Dean of Me’ah and Vice President at Hebrew College and teaches on the faculty of the Wexner Heritage Program. He lectures on topics related to history and religion. David is currently writing a biography of Solomon Schechter and a study of Me’ah and its impact on adults and community. He holds a doctorate in history and Jewish studies from Columbia University and rabbinic ordination from JTS.

JULIE THALER Currently Head Kindergarten Teacher at Westchester Day School in Mamaroneck, Julie has 25 years of experience in formal and informal Jewish educational experiences.

Julie received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Exceptional Education and Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Buffalo State where she minored in Judaic studies.

She completed a year of Masters graduate work in Early Childhood Special Education at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She has been working at Carmel Academy creating a Transitional Kindergarten program for the past three years. Prior to that she lived in New Jersey

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and worked at the Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County as the head Judaic Kindergarten teacher.

Previously, she worked at The Rockland Jewish Academy as the Kindergarten Hebrew and Judaics teacher as well as being the Early Childhood Program Coordinator. Julie spent five years as a Kindergarten teacher and Kindergarten Program Coordinator at Carmel Academy and two years as a Head Kindergarten teacher at Ramaz. She taught Pre-K and Kindergarten for eight years at The Abraham Joshua Heschel School in Manhattan.

REBECCA WEINER, MJED-ECE ’18, IFJE CERTIFICATE ’18, ICENTER FELLOW Rebecca is the Judaica Specialist at the Charlotte Jewish Preschool in Charlotte, NC where she has spent nine years teaching children ages one to six Hebrew, Holidays, and Chutzpah. She holds a Master’s Degree in Jewish Education with a specialization in Early Childhood Education from Hebrew College, as well as a Master’s Certificate in Interfaith Families Jewish Engagement from Hebrew College. Becca has also earned a Master’s Concentration in Israel Education through the iCenter in Chicago. She recently spent the summer studying at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem while conducting her own research on Israeli arts and culture for early childhood.

ARNEE WINSHALL Arnee Winshall is Founding President and CEO of Hebrew at the Center (HATC). She is also Founding Chair of JCDS, Boston’s Jewish Community Day School and a founding board member of the Council for Hebrew Language and Culture in North America. In addition, she is a past Chair of RAVSAK, and a past board member of JESNA, Foundation for Jewish Camp, JECEI,The Grinspoon Foundation, and Hebrew College. She has a degree in contrastive linguistics from Boston University and, after serving in the Peace Corps in Thailand, studied for her doctorate in developmental psycholinguistics at the University of Chicago. Her article, “State of the Field: Hebrew Teaching and Learning” was published in the spring 2011 issue of Contact,The Journal of the Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life. She is a graduate of Prozdor (‘68) and was the first recipient of Hebrew College’s Sidney Hillson/Rose Bronstein Award for distinguished achievement in Jewish educational leadership for her work in Hebrew language and Jewish education.

About the Cover: The Israeli stamp appearing on the cover was designed by artist Tal Hoover. It was released in April 2018 in celebration of the State of Israel’s 70 years of independence. We would like to thank The Israeli Philatelic Service, Israel Postal Service and Israel’s Ministry of Finance for allowing us to use this stamp for our conference this year. The text below is the official description for the stamp. (www.israelpost.co.il)

Israel - 70 Years of Independence As it turns 70, the State of Israel looks back with great satisfaction and proudly reviews the many achievements it has made along a frequently bumpy road.

On May 14, 1948, David Ben Gurion proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel. At that time, the Jewish population had been at war with the Arabs of Eretz Israel for six months and the day after the proclamation the young country was invaded by armed forces from five different Arab countries. After many months of bloody fighting, which ended in a truce agreement, the State of Israel successfully thwarted its enemies. However, it suffered a severe economic crisis and extreme shortages, which required a policy of austerity and the rationing of basic consumer goods.

Despite these difficult initial conditions, the State of Israel did not hesitate to undertake a series of challenging national tasks right from the start.

The nation opened its doors to Jewish refugees, Holocaust survivors from Europe and members of Jewish communities who were expelled from Arab countries. Hundreds of new towns were built throughout the country and economic development began in many different fields.

As an arid country situated at the edge of a desert, from the outset the State of Israel was concerned with the efficient utilization of its water resources. Innovative inventions such as various ways to desalinate sea water, efficient drip irrigation systems and the development of agricultural products that can grow in brackish water rank Israel at the forefront of global achievement and have allowed it to assist other countries to develop their own agriculture.

Because it is lacking in natural resources, Israel has had to rely on the abilities and innovative capabilities of its people as its main source of development. Scientists, inventors, entrepreneurs and executives in a wide range of fields have led to the establishment of thriving indus-

trial factories and groundbreaking development centers: Israel is one of the only countries in the world that manufactures satellites and launches them into space; Israeli inventions lead the global hi-tech industry; sophisticated medical devices that were developed in Israel improve the lives of the ill around the globe. Thus, Israeli scientists are frequently awarded prestigious awards, such as the Nobel Prize.

Along with its economic development, Israel has also developed a vibrant and diverse world of culture and sports. Israeli cinema produces internationally acclaimed innovative films, the works of Israeli authors are translated into multiple languages and Israeli athletes win trophies and medals in the international arena.

Today, as it celebrates 70 years of independence, Israel is a developed country with a strong economy and high quality of life, the life expectancy of its residents is among the highest in the world and its political standing is stronger than ever.

The State of Israel looks forward with a sense of hope and security and with faith in its ability to continue to strengthen the momentum of its achievements for an even better future.

Thank You to all of our sponsors, volunteers, presenters, and their institutions.

Special thanks to: Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Harold Grinspoon Foundation, and Hebrew at the Center for their generous support of the Hebrew College Conference for Educators

Additional gratitude to: Jodi Jarvis Director, Families with Young Children, CJP

Marla Olsberg Project Manager, Boston-Haifa School to School Partnerships of CJP

Arnee Winshall President and CEO, Hebrew at the Center (HATC)

Tal Gale Senior Program Director, Hebrew at the Center (HATC)

And to our other conference committee members:

And to our educational site hosts:

Shoni Aronovich

Congregation Beth El Sudbury (Shoni Aronovich)

HiBur Coordinator and Educator, Congregation Beth El Sudbury

Rachel Fish

Frances Jacobson Early Childhood Center of Temple Israel (Helen Cohen)

Senior Advisor and Resident Scholar for Israel/Jewish Philanthropy, Singer Foundation

Gann Academy (Dr. Jonathan Golden)

Dr. Jonathan Golden

JCDS (Dr. Susie Tanchel, Oren Kaunfer and Arnee Winshall)

Educator, Gann Academy

Marion Gribetz Director, Pardes Educators Program, Hebrew College

Iris Schor

The Rashi School (Rabbi Jodi Smith and Rabbi Sharon Clevenger) SSDS (Iris Schor and Ravid Tilles )

Chair, CJP Boston-Haifa Jewish Education and Identity Committee

Andrea Shapiro

Conference Coordinator: Linna Ettinger Program Designer: Chris Manley

Dor Chadash (Young Family) Program Coordinator, Temple Emanuel

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