Adapting: The Future of Jewish Education

Imagine that you work on a U.S. college campus today while Israel is at war. Meanwhile, your Israeli cousin texts you from her mamad (safe room in an Israeli home) asking if you're okay given the rise in antisemitism on college campuses.That's what happened to Merav Fine Braun, executive director at Hunter College Hillel in New York City, given the staggering rise in antisemitic incidents on college campuses across the country.In this week's episode of Adapting, Merav engages in a heartfelt conversation with David Bryfman. She recounts her campus experiences from the past month and provides insights into how educators can lend support to their students during this time of uncertainty. 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.

Rebecca Bardach has devoted her life to progressive education and coexistence between Jews and Arabs living together in Israel. How does she maintain strength and hope during these dark times?  Listen to a candid discussion with David Bryfman as she provides a firsthand, on-the-ground account of life in Israel, where she retells the heart-wrenching moment when she discovered her cousin's kidnapping by Hamas. She also recounts a poignant encounter with an Arab psychologist, highlighting moments of shared humanity, and offers poignant messages for educators to maintain optimism in times of crisis. 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.

Dr. Rachel Fish, an esteemed scholar and self-proclaimed warrior on the Middle East and Israel, joins the podcast to discuss the battle occurring in America alongside the war in Israel. They explore the impact of antisemitism on university campuses, the importance of balancing facts and empathy in Jewish education, and the role of educators in guiding students through ethical dilemmas. The chapter descriptions highlight the challenges faced by Jewish educators in the digital age and the need to navigate the current ideological and political climate.

Samantha Vinokor-Meinrath, Managing Director at the Jewish Education Project, and Dr. Sivan Zakai, an expert in Jewish education, share valuable insights on discussing Israel with children during tumultuous times. They emphasize the importance of remaining calm and listening actively to kids as they process current events. The conversation explores addressing children's emotional health amidst crises and teaching resilience against rising anti-Semitism. Their dual approach encourages ongoing dialogue, empowering young minds to navigate complex issues with confidence.

A discussion on the importance of self-care during times of conflict, the challenges faced by Jewish educators and parents, the need for unity and support within the Jewish educational community, empowering educators in Israel education, parenting challenges during a time of war, views on kids and social media, navigating the crisis and creating a vision for the future, and reflections on educators and Israel education.

In the wake of devastation and sorrow coming out of Israel, Jewish educators have been grappling with how to best communicate the events unfolding with their students.Through grief and heartbreak, they will flick some imaginary switch in their minds and hearts and do what they do best: be Jewish educators.This week on Adapting, CEO David Bryfman shares his own emotional experiences and challenges in addressing such traumatic events with students. He stresses the need for educators to provide a sense of belonging and support to their students, acknowledging the affective, behavioral, cognitive, and belonging aspects of education. He also shares resources and support available for educators, including webinars and counseling services, as they navigate the difficult days ahead.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 a reputable scholar of contemporary American Jewish education, Dr. Arielle Levites is curious about all things Jewish, from "Jews of no religion" to what Jewish education looks like both inside and outside the institutional setting.  On this week's episode of Adapting, David Bryfman and Dr. Levites talk about using curiosity to fuel research on the vast topic of Jewish education — its ever-evolving trends, aspects of intersectional diversity, and ideal practices for conducting the research itself. Get a bird's-eye view on the behind-the-scenes research that works to ignite shared knowledge, build on the past, and propel us forward to shape the very future of Jewish education.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.

To kick off an inspiring new season of "Adapting: The Future of Jewish Education," David Bryfman dissects the origins of Sunday School in America with Laura Yares, as the pair discusses her new book, Jewish Sunday Schools: Teaching Religion in Nineteenth-Century America.   This exploration, including a deep dive into the important role women played in pioneering accessible Jewish education, prompts a question that's still very much relevant to educators today: What holds greater significance in Sunday School, the content children learn or the emotional impact they experience? And where should that pendulum be swinging?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 educators, we all have a lot to say. But in this special season finale of Adapting, we flipped the script and got to hear from the learners! CEO David Bryfman sits down with his two kids, Jonah and Abby, for an exclusive interview about their Jewish education.Join us as the dynamic duo reveals favorite topics they've learned at Jewish Day School like the story of Joseph and learning Hebrew, what they think their dad does for a living, the teaching qualities that earned a "favorite teacher" designation, and excitement over summer camp and Jewish surf camp. Yes, you read that right! Kick off your summer with some inspiration and get firsthand insights from these young Jewish minds. This episode was produced by 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.

According to the latest CASJE study, there are more than 14,000 Jewish Day School educators in the U.S. How would the future of the Jewish people change if every one of these educators made it a priority to tap students on the proverbial shoulder who they identify as becoming part of the next generation of Jewish educators?Joining David Bryfman on Adapting this week is Rabbi Marc Wolf of Prizmah, who addresses the pipeline challenge or decline in Jewish educators specifically through a lens of Jewish Day Schools in North America.  Rabbi Wolf's "tap on the shoulder" method is an innovative way to inspire learners to see themselves as Jewish leaders – it's direct, relationship-based, and has the power to transfer that spark of learning from teacher to student. Listen to this week's episode of Adapting to find out how Jewish educators can change the possible trajectory of Jewish education through one simple yet impactful action.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.