Section archive - Informal Education

A family survey, ethnographic study, and quasi-experimental study investigated Shalom Sesame's potential to enhance understanding of Jewish culture and identity among preschool families. Preschoolers demonstrated significant learning, recognizing that people who looked different could be Jewish, and in knowledge about Hebrew words, Jewish holidays, and things they would see in Israel. Learning also extended beyond the screen, via spontaneous family discussions/activities, and an increased desire to celebrate holidays or visit Israel. The videos held particular value for interfaith families and those outside established Jewish communities. Parents valued Shalom Sesame for helping children connect to the broader Jewish community, deepening their own connection, and educating non-Jewish relatives and friends.

This article offers a conceptual framework for assessing PJ Library programming grounded in the relevant scholarly literature and illustrated by way of conversations with PJ Library parents. It is built around three themes concerning how parents view their role as facilitators in their child's religious and cultural identity formation through the reading of bedtime stories: (a) how the reading of stories nurtures affective development, (b) can be a crucial tool in mediating the development of cultural and religious identity, and (c) affects the bidirectionality of the parent/child relationship in identity formation.

This article examines the Jewish Teachable Moments method through a case study conducted at a Reform movement affiliated camp in Texas. Theoretical and pedagogical implications of the Jewish Teachable Moments method are discussed.

The Jim Joseph Foundation has developed an alumni network component as part of some grants, while other grants are designed for the sole purposes of creating such networks in order to leverage newfound deep connections among cohorts of successful Jewish educational programs.