Source: Arachim 6
Over 100 Jewish educators from 25 different European countries attended the 6th Arachim Conference in Madrid on the November 17-19, 2013. Arachim, organized by the European Council of Jewish Communities (ECJC) and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), was hosted by the Jewish Community of Madrid, with the support of the Lauder Foundation. Arachim 6 encouraged the participants to connect and learn about Innovation in Jewish Education, giving rise to many new collaborative educational programs.
Technology and education were at the forefront of the conference for example with a presentation of the Lauder schools’ experiments with new tablet technologies as a way to reach out beyond the classroom.
Self-perception and identification as Jews was another important issue dealt with along the whole conference.
Arachim’s program included a trip to the Prado with UK based Nic Abery who uses museums and artwork in her approach to learning about being Jewish.
A visit to the Jewish School Estrella Toledano, the local Jewish School, enabled participants to immerse themselves in the day to day educational life of a local community.
Some great ideas for making innovation happen were discussed at a session focused on overcoming everyday thinking.
Among the supporters of Arachim were the Lauder Schools Network, Melton Centre for Jewish Education - Hebrew University of Jerusalem, PAjES – UK, London School of Jewish Studies, FSJU, MOFET Institute, Tal Am, World ORT, AIU, Bet Hatefutsoth, Institut Elie Wiesel Paris, Twinning Department JAFI, Look to Learn UK, Beit Project, and the Jewish Museum of Warsaw.