Published:
2010
Source: JAFI
From Europe to South America, from Toronto to Florida, 30 educators and communal professionals gathered in Princeton, N.J., between June 28-July 1, 2010, to be part of the first Makom Faculty Training Seminar. During four intensive days, Makom staff led these individuals through seminars that developed a common language about the conceptual framework underlying Israel education in today’s world, and demonstrated actual models of how Makom applies its theories in the field when it works with local educators and leaders and creates Israel-based experiences and seminars.
The goal for the North American participants was to prepare them to run Makom training seminars for educators, clergy, and lay leaders. For the educators from Central/South America and Europe, Makom gave them more of the foundational thinking for posing the critical Israel engagement questions for their countries.
Representing Argentina, Brazil, France, Hungary, and Mexico, along with shlichim (emissaries) to the US who will work with Jews from Russian-speaking families, seminar participants acquired new ways of thinking and tools to meet the challenges of Israel engagement for themselves and their communities.
Makom – the Israel Engagement Network is laying intellectual groundwork and inspiring new initiatives that have significantly advanced the field of Israel education. Established in 2004, it was launched jointly by North American Jewish communities and the Jewish Agency.