Section archive - Trends in Jewish Education

Shapiro argues that the interdiscursive relationships between Jewish studies and education are in need of further philosophical articulation and conceptual differentiation in order to realize more beneficial engagement in higher education, professional education, and scholarship. He first considers the literature on interdisciplinarity and explain why he suggests the potentially more fruitful concept of interdiscursivity. Then, drawing on the philosophies of Dewey, Buchler, and Oakeshott, he suggests how their conceptions might inform the purposes and practices of relating education and Jewish studies with one another. Through this philosophical inquiry, I hope to suggest some beneficial, new ways to conceptualize, articulate, refine, and expand these fields and discourses’ relationships.

In a post in eJewish Philanthropy, Paul Steinberg asks: 'What will be our inspiration and idealism that will carry us through the thick of this painful Jewish educational and sociological battle without quitting or annihilating our conscience along the way?' and tries to provide an answer.

Charles Cohen of PEJE's Affordability Knowledge Center reviews the vigorous digital debate touched off in response to the release of the Center's blended-learning white paper. Much of this discussion took place on both the PEJE Blog and JEDLAB, the new destination for Jewish educational debate and sharing knowledge.

Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie, past president of the Union for Reform Judaism, tells how his daughter chose a challenging way to push back against an American Jewish culture based only on translation from Hebrew sources: To speak to her son only in Hebrew.