April 20 | Jewish Portal of Teacher Education

Apr. 20, 2015

Dear subscriber,

MOFET JTEC Portal Newsletter

We are delighted to send you the latest issue of The MOFET JTEC Portal resource listing.

The current bulletin contains research findings, educational resources, conference information, etc. selected from journals and other Jewish education publications. Many of the items in this newsletter deal with Israel education and educational resources for Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut (Israel Memorial Day and Independence Day).

Only 3 weeks remain until MOFET's Virtual Conference on Teaching Hebrew as an Additional Language on May 10-11, 2015. The conference offers an abundance of lectures, presentations and activities in the area of teaching Hebrew as an additional language, as well as an online exhibition and some great interactions with colleagues from around the world. You can still register here.

Join us in Israel this summer for our Women's Leadership Seminar - EVERY WOMAN HAS A STORY: The Role of Feminine Power in Designing Social-Educational Leadership on July 21-30, 2015. See the program details and registration information here.

Wishing you interesting and enjoyable reading,

Reuven Werber

The MOFET JTEC Portal Team

April 20, 2015

Jewish Portal of Teacher Education

Please note: a complete list of recent additions to the portal follows the Featured Items.

April 2015

Featured Items

How Do Young American Jews Feel About Israel?

Last summer, our routine evaluation of Taglit-Birthright Israel became a serendipitous natural experiment allowing us to assess the feelings and beliefs of 18 to 26-year-old American Jews about Israel before and after the Israel-Hamas war. The research gives us an unparalleled chance to assess whether or not Israel’s conduct in the war alienated or promoted support for Israel. Applicants to Birthright are a large and fairly representative group of young adult Jews.

Fourteen Israeli Breakthrough Achievers to Light Beacons at Israel 67th Independence Day Ceremony

The Israel Independence Day ceremony at Mount Herzl annually recognizes outstanding citizens. The 'breakthrough achievement' concept is the central theme of this year’s beacon-lighting ceremony on Mount Herzl, which will usher in Israel’s 67th Independence Day celebrations. Since Israel’s inception, its reputation as a “Start-up Nation” has been enhanced by breakthroughs in almost every field of human endeavor. The 14 people selected to light beacons this year are all breakthrough achievers in various aspects of Israel's society, culture and science.

New Festival Celebrates Hebrew Language and Culture

A show at Steven Wise Free Synagogue in Manhattan on March 15,2015, “Music Talks: Peter and the Wolf,” marked the opening of a remarkable two-week Hebrew festival called “Hagigah Ivrit” taking place in Manhattan until March 30. The festival, which hopes to raise the profile of the Hebrew language in North America through a variety of artistic and academic events, is sponsored by the Council for Hebrew Language and Culture in North America, the World Zionist Organization, The Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life, and the Israeli-American Council.

From Remembrance to Celebration: Resources for Yom Ha'zikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut

The forty-eight hours encompassing Yom Ha'zikaron and Yom Ha'aztmaut represent an intense and meaningful moment in Israel's culture. Through resources and ideas that explore remembrance, celebration, and the transition between the two, iCenter seeks to create deeper understanding of Israel and the Jewish people.

Teaching About Israel after Election Day… and Every Other Day

The polls in Israel have closed. The election results are pouring in. Politicians and pundits are scrambling to make sense of the will of the Israeli people. And those who work on the front lines of teaching American Jews about Israel are scrambling to make sense of how to teach and talk about the elections. The recent elections – and other headlines from Israel – can seem daunting if we approach them as stand-alone events. Instead, they must become part of a larger framework of teaching and talking about Israel. Such an approach makes room for issues of immediate relevance by approaching them as part of an overall framework.

April 2015

All Recent Items

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