Adapting: The Future of Jewish Education

In this enlightening conversation, author Dara Horn, known for 'People Love Dead Jews,' dives into the challenges of Holocaust education today. She critiques current narratives that often depict Jews as powerless, emphasizing the need to incorporate modern Jewish culture into these discussions. Horn argues for a broader understanding of Jewish identity, connecting historical antisemitism with contemporary issues. She also highlights the importance of preserving survivor stories and promoting resilience through education, ensuring the complexities of Jewish civilization are not forgotten.

In this episode of Adapting, host David Bryfman sits down with tech-savvy Rabbi Jason Miller, to discuss the role of technology in Jewish education. Rabbi Miller emphasizes the importance of embracing technology—not fearing it—and how it can bring the Jewish community closer together.  If you’re worried about AI and other tech tools replacing Jewish educators, don’t worry! Rabbi Miller asserts that these tools will enhance the work of Jewish educators, empowering them to make learning more efficient and impactful. This episode was produced by Dina Nusnbaum and Miranda Lapides. The show’s executive producers are David Bryfman, Karen Cummins, and Nessa Liben. This episode was engineered and edited by Nathan J. Vaughan of NJV Media. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a 5-star rating and review, or even better, share it with a friend. Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and be the first to know when new episodes are released. To learn more about The Jewish Education Project visit jewishedproject.org where you can find links to our Jewish Educator Portal and learn more about our mission, history, and staff. We are a proud partner of UJA-Federation of New York. 

This week on Adapting, David Bryfman sits down with... well, robots. In an innovative and fitting approach, he leverages artificial intelligence — a platform called NotebookLM — to make a point about the current landscape of Jewish education and where it’s headed. Featuring an AI-generated dialogue that tackles critical issues like how Jewish educational institutions are responding to rising antisemitism, technological challenges, and the need for resilient learning strategies, Bryfman gives us a glimpse into what the future of Jewish education could look like when you mix technology with tradition. This episode was produced by Dina Nusnbaum and Miranda Lapides. The show’s executive producers are David Bryfman, Karen Cummins, and Nessa Liben. This episode was engineered and edited by Nathan J. Vaughan of NJV Media. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a 5-star rating and review, or even better, share it with a friend. Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and be the first to know when new episodes are released. To learn more about The Jewish Education Project visit jewishedproject.org where you can find links to our Jewish Educator Portal and learn more about our mission, history, and staff. We are a proud partner of UJA-Federation of New York. 

This week, Adapting gets spiritual with Dana Sheanin, CEO of Jewish Learning Works. Dana first shares glimpses into the Jewish Bay Area, marked by political activism and repercussions in education since October 7th. Dana then explores how reconnecting with spirituality—including relationships with community and the divine—can provide resilience and meaning for Jewish educators and students. To return to spirituality is an essential part of what it means to be a Jewish educator today. Let’s explore this idea together. This episode was produced by Dina Nusnbaum and Miranda Lapides. The show’s executive producers are David Bryfman, Karen Cummins, and Nessa Liben. This episode was engineered and edited by Nathan J. Vaughan of NJV Media. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a 5-star rating and review, or even better, share it with a friend. Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and be the first to know when new episodes are released. To learn more about The Jewish Education Project visit jewishedproject.org where you can find links to our Jewish Educator Portal and learn more about our mission, history, and staff. We are a proud partner of UJA-Federation of New York. 

As Purim begins tonight, we reflect on resilience, courage, and hidden miracles—themes that feel more relevant than ever. In this special re-release, Dr. Erica Brown of The George Washington University joins CEO, David Bryfman, and Chief Advancement Officer, Nessa Liben, to explore not only the heroines of the Purim story, but also the heroism of Jewish educators today and Jewish women across the world. This episode was produced by Dina Nusnbaum and Miranda Lapides. The show’s executive producers are David Bryfman, Karen Cummins, and Nessa Liben. This episode was engineered and edited by Nathan J. Vaughan of NJV Media. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a 5-star rating and review, or even better, share it with a friend. Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and be the first to know when new episodes are released. To learn more about The Jewish Education Project visit jewishedproject.org where you can find links to our Jewish Educator Portal and learn more about our mission, history, and staff. We are a proud partner of UJA-Federation of New York. 

From transformative teen programs like RootOne to life-changing Birthright and Masa  trips, studies have shown that Israel educational travel has been the most essential tool for building a lasting connection to Israel. But October 7th has presented a new set of challenges in the field. This week on Adapting, David Bryfman talks with Anna Langer, who oversees the Israel Education Travel Alliance, a collective of over 140 organizations that facilitate Israel trips for North American participants. Their conversation—full of personal anecdotes and frontline insights from southern Israel—doesn’t shy away from how Israel educational travel is adapting to a new reality. This episode is essential listening for anyone who cares about the future of Israel engagement and Jewish identity in uncertain times. This episode was produced by Dina Nusnbaum and Miranda Lapides. The show’s executive producers are David Bryfman, Karen Cummins, and Nessa Liben. This episode was engineered and edited by Nathan J. Vaughan of NJV Media. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a 5-star rating and review, or even better, share it with a friend. Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and be the first to know when new episodes are released. To learn more about The Jewish Education Project visit jewishedproject.org where you can find links to our Jewish Educator Portal and learn more about our mission, history, and staff. We are a proud partner of UJA-Federation of New York. 

This week on Adapting, in honor of Tu BiShvat, Yoni Stadlin of Adamah challenges us to see our connection to the earth through a Jewish lens. From his unconventional journey—spending three months living in the canopy of California redwoods—to his belief that Jewish environmentalism should be the default rather than a niche, Yoni reminds us that every breath we take is like receiving CPR from a tree. Tu BiShvat is more than a celebration of trees; it’s a powerful reminder that the earth is our home, and it’s a call to action to care for the planet as we would care for ourselves.  This episode was produced by Dina Nusnbaum and Miranda Lapides. The show’s executive producers are David Bryfman, Karen Cummins, and Nessa Liben. This episode was engineered and edited by Nathan J. Vaughan of NJV Media. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a 5-star rating and review, or even better, share it with a friend. Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and be the first to know when new episodes are released. To learn more about The Jewish Education Project visit jewishedproject.org where you can find links to our Jewish Educator Portal and learn more about our mission, history, and staff. We are a proud partner of UJA-Federation of New York. 

Judaism gives us the tools to hold both joy and pain simultaneously. Few understand this better than Rabba Yaffa Epstein, The Jewish Education Project’s Senior Scholar and Educator in Residence, who tragically lost her nephew, Yakir Hexter z”l, while fighting in Gaza one year ago.  Yakir was much more than a soldier—he was a brilliant Torah student, a talented artist, an athlete, and a bartender with his own signature cocktail. In this week’s episode of Adapting, Rabba Yaffa shares Torah in Yakir’s memory, drawing wisdom from Ben Zoma in Pirkei Avot and from Yakir himself, emphasizing the responsibility we all have as spectators to step in and make a difference. Rabba Yaffa juxtaposes her grief with welcoming a beautiful baby girl named in Yakir’s honor within the same week, reminding us that we can find light and inspiration even in the darkest of times. This episode was produced by Dina Nusnbaum and Miranda Lapides. The show’s executive producers are David Bryfman, Karen Cummins, and Nessa Liben. This episode was engineered and edited by Nathan J. Vaughan of NJV Media. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a 5-star rating and review, or even better, share it with a friend. Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and be the first to know when new episodes are released. To learn more about The Jewish Education Project visit jewishedproject.org where you can find links to our Jewish Educator Portal and learn more about our mission, history, and staff. We are a proud partner of UJA-Federation of New York. 

If you’re in a Jewish leadership role, don’t miss this pertinent conversation between David Bryfman and Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, a prominent Jewish leader and author.  Drawing on insights from Rabbi Cosgrove’s new book, For Such a Time as This: On Being Jewish Today, they delve into relevant topics, like: The generational divides within the Jewish community, as younger generations grapple with complex issues surrounding Israel and antisemitism.A vision for Jewish education that balances empathy with protection of Jewish concerns.How to navigate these challenges in a post-October 7th world. As the news is seemingly changing by the day, Rabbi Cosgrove offers guidance to fellow educators while exploring leadership, identity, and the role of Jewish educators in shaping the future. This episode was produced by Dina Nusnbaum and Miranda Lapides. The show’s executive producers are David Bryfman, Karen Cummins, and Nessa Liben.  This episode was engineered and edited by Nathan J. Vaughan of NJV Media.  If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a 5-star rating and review, or even better, share it with a friend. Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and be the first to know when new episodes are released. To learn more about The Jewish Education Project visit jewishedproject.org where you can find links to our Jewish Educator Portal and learn more about our mission, history, and staff. We are a proud partner of UJA-Federation of New York. 

As the largest Jewish community in Europe and the third largest in the world, French Jewry—primarily of Sephardic descent from North Africa—blends a rich, thriving Jewish heritage with modern challenges.Giving a voice to the French Jewish community on this week’s episode of Adapting, David Bryfman sits down with Devorah Serrao, CEO of Alliance Israélite Universelle, to explore the unique dynamics of Jewish education and identity in France. Devorah shares insights into how young French Jews today balance their French and Jewish identities, as well as lessons for Jewish communities worldwide in navigating identity and finding your inner voice. This episode was produced by Dina Nusnbaum and Miranda Lapides. The show’s executive producers are David Bryfman, Karen Cummins, and Nessa Liben.  This episode was engineered and edited by Nathan J. Vaughan of NJV Media.  If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a 5-star rating and review, or even better, share it with a friend. Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and be the first to know when new episodes are released. To learn more about The Jewish Education Project visit jewishedproject.org where you can find links to our Jewish Educator Portal and learn more about our mission, history, and staff. We are a proud partner of UJA-Federation of New York.