CHICAGO – Tamir Goodman blazed a career in basketball that evolved from practicing on Maryland playgrounds to being ranked one of the top 25 high school basketball players in America. Along the way, he was named MVP of the prestigious Capitol Classic all-star game, played professionally on several Israeli basketball teams, and earned the unique title of being the “Jewish Jordan” by Sports Illustrated magazine before retiring at age 27.
Source: eJewish Philanthropy
By: Anne Lanski
In a recent piece in eJewish Philanthropy, James Hyman observes: “Until a far greater number of American Jews understand and have experiences that reinforce a broader conception of Jewish identity, Israel programming will not fit into the self understanding of American Jews and the institutions of American Jewish life.”
Source: Glencoe News
By: Benjamin Woodard
Educators at Glencoe’s North Shore Congregation Israel have thrown out the desks and blackboards, adopting more experiential teaching techniques — like a scavenger hunt through the synagogue for fresh-baked matzah.
Source: The Jewish Week
By Tamar Snyder
Hundreds of millions of dollars have been allocated to encourage young Jewish adults to participate in a free, 10-day Israel experience. Now, attention is being paid to the pre-Birthright set: teens who visit Israel as part of a day school, camping or youth group trip.
CHICAGO – Aimed at empowering teens to be peer educators and ambassadors for the Israel experience, the iCenter is launching the MZ Teen Israel Internship, a national leadership program for teens returning from summer Israel experiences.
Source: JUF News
More than 115 Jewish educators from many walks of life – from museums and synagogues to Jewish day schools and organic farms – gathered recently at the Catalyst Ranch in the West Loop to dream up new and creative ways of inspiring today’s young people.
Anne Lanski couldn't help but look on with pride and no small amount of amazement as more than 100 Jewish educators, gathered into small groups, chattered and buzzed in search of the next big idea in Jewish education - or maybe just something that would get the kids they teach excited about Israel.
Creative individuals committed to inspiring Jewish education will gather Wednesday, January 19 for the launch of The iChallenge, an ideas incubator. Read more...
