On September 4th, the 8th Annual Education Directors Council, hosted by the Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ, convened at Temple Shaari Emeth in Manalapan. This year's event drew over 50 Jewish educators from 13 different schools for an evening focused on professional development, collaboration, and learning.

In response to feedback from last year’s conference and a national survey conducted by the Jewish Education Project, the theme for this year was “How Do We Teach Israel Post-October 7th?” The survey highlighted that many Hebrew School teachers feel uncertain and unprepared as to teaching about Israel following the traumatic events of October 7th. The conference aimed to address these concerns, reassuring educators that they are not alone and providing them with practical tools for the upcoming school year.

The evening kicked off with a relaxed opportunity for participants to connect and discuss their experiences. In the wake of October 7th and its ongoing impact, these workshops were a vital opportunity for educators to address their own feelings and enhance their teaching strategies to make learning about Israel more relevant and impactful for their students. The main event featured a series of workshops designed to address the challenges of teaching about Israel:

• History of Modern Israel in a Nutshell: Led by Mike Wikes (Director of SHMA Hebrew School, Rumson Jewish Center at Congregation B'Nai Israel), this workshop provided a concise and insightful overview of Israel’s modern history.
• Using Art to Explore Israel and Resilience: Facilitated by Melissa Pescatore (Religious School Director, Temple Shaari Emeth), this session explored how art can help students process emotions and create a safe environment for discussing sensitive topics related to Israel.
• Teaching About Israel through Bible Stories: Ronit Bivas (Education Director, Congregation B'Nai Tikvah) guided participants in incorporating biblical narratives into lessons about Israeli history and culture.
• Teaching Israel through Jewish Holidays: Sukkot - A Case Study: Suzanne Wycoff (Gan Yeladim Director and Judaic Studies Teacher, Rumson Jewish Center at Congregation B'Nai Israel) presented innovative methods for using Jewish holidays, specifically Sukkot, to teach about Israel.

The night concluded with a reflective gathering where participants shared their takeaways from the workshops and shared their thoughts.  “We love Israel, but it is hard”, one teacher shared while others expressed new feelings of reassurance in teaching Israel for this coming year.

The conference not only provided valuable resources but also reaffirmed the community’s dedication to empowering teachers in their mission to educate about Israel. Attendees left inspired, with comments reflecting their renewed connection to Israel and the importance of integrating it into their teaching.

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Education Directors Council for their extraordinary dedication, effort, and passion in making our recent conference a great success. Your commitment was crucial in bringing this event to fruition and creating a meaningful experience for all involved.

A special thank you also goes to Temple Shaari Emeth for generously hosting the conference. Your warm hospitality and support provided a welcoming and productive environment that greatly contributed to the event’s success.

Lastly, we are immensely grateful to everyone who participated and contributed. Your enthusiasm and involvement made the conference truly memorable and impactful. Together, we are strengthening and enriching our community.

Investing in a bright Jewish future is key to Federation’s mission. As children grow, Federation-supported programs enable them to:

• discover the sweetness in Jewish traditions and community
• practice values of justice and kindness
• develop pride and power through Jewish identity, and
• embrace collective responsibility for making the world a better place.

Learn more at jewishheartnj.org/youth and for more information about the Education Directors Council and its offerings, please contact Sydney Beberman at sydneyb@jewishheart.org.