Section archive - Informal Education

The Repair the World Fellowship is an exciting ten-month opportunity for young adults ages 21 to 26 who are committed to mobilizing the Jewish community toward meaningful volunteer projects. Fellows will recruit, train, and serve alongside volunteers to bring about real community change around a range of issues, including education, poverty, environmental sustainability, hunger, and more. The Fellowship takes place in four of the most dynamic post-industrial cities in the U.S. – Baltimore, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. Repair the World will provide training, a living stipend, housing, and other perks. The 2014-2015 Fellowship will take place from September 3, 2014 through July 16, 2015.

Experiences that blend Jewish learning with the outdoors, food, and environment are attracting a growing number of diverse Jews to meaningful and inspiring Jewish life, reports the first-ever national survey on Jewish Outdoor, Food, and Environmental Education (JOFEE) — Seeds of Opportunity: A National Study of Immersive Jewish Outdoor, Food, and Environmental Education (JOFEE). The report, released today by a group of six major funders and Hazon, examines the history, programs, professionals, and participants that comprise JOFEE experiences. Leaders of JOFEE are eager to share the key findings and continue a conversation about its potential for growth and for Jewish engagement.

Secular Israelis are reconnecting to Judaism in an increasingly growing range of ways. This trend has been accelerating over the last ten years. The article draws on theories of transformative learning as well as the analysis of scholars who have examined the elements that contribute to integration and formation of healthy Jewish identity. It locates this phenomenon in light of changes taking place in the North American Jewish community and liberal Jewish communities in Israel, as well as the mutual, ongoing influences between and among these organizations.

Nostalgia about summer traditions notwithstanding, Jewish camps have changed dramatically from a generation ago. Camp’s value for Jewish education and identity-building is now a major focus of communal attention. Major Jewish foundations, federations and organizations are investing heavily in the sector. Many camps have become more intentional about incorporating Jewish learning, Shabbat and Israel into their programming. They’ve also evolved to meet families’ changing expectations and demands: offering a wider range of choices of all kinds (from food to activity to session length); providing more frequent updates and communications to parents; accommodating numerous medical requirements and allergies; and placing greater emphasis on safety and security.