Source: eJewish Philanthropy
To help more Jewish day schools infuse Israel into all aspects of school life and learning, The iCenter welcomed nine new day schools across North America into its initiative, iNfuse: Israel in Jewish Day Schools. Each school now is creating a plan to make Israel education and experiences a deeper part of all aspects of school life, including classes such as science, the arts, Jewish studies, Hebrew language, all-school Israel engagement, and Israel travel. The initiative, currently with its second cohort, is funded in part by The AVI CHAI Foundation and through matching funds raised in the schools’ communities.
The nine current schools in iNfuse represent geographic and denominational diversity: 1) Adelson Educational Campus in Clark County, Nevada; 2) Ecole Maimonide in Montreal; 3) Epstein Hillel School in Marblehead, MA; 4) Hillel Day School of Metropolitan Detroit; 5) JPPS-Bialik in Montreal; 6) Milwaukee Jewish Day School; 7) Portland Jewish Academy; 8) Solomon Schechter Academy in Montreal; and 9) Solomon Schechter Day School of Metropolitan Chicago.
Representatives from each school gathered together earlier this fall to begin their work and to create a sense of community among the schools. Along with this in-person convening, iNfuse includes site visits from Israel education experts and other specialists, online seminars, and one-on-one mentorship. Educators will have a range of resources and various approaches from which to draw on to engage their learners in content-rich and contemporary Israel experiences. The initiative frames a school’s Israel trip as an integral component of the curriculum throughout students’ tenure at the school. A school-appointed Israel Coordinator will oversee both the initiative and support the work of faculty and staff.
Applications for Cohort 3 of this exclusive program will open in the summer of 2018. For more information on becoming part of iNfuse, click here.