What do we mean by "adult Jewish learning"? Where is contemporary adult Jewish learning taking place? What kinds of learning matter to adult Jewish learners in the twenty-first century? Portraits of Adult Jewish Learning boldly tackles these questions through the exploration of various learners' experiences in diverse circumstances: couples exploring a Jewish museum, actors co-creating a Jewish-themed play, social justice activists consolidating their Jewish values and identities, Jewish preschool educators visiting Israel, Jewish and non-Jewish staff at a Jewish social service agency studying traditional texts together, Latinx converts seeking to understand "how to be a good Jew," members of a Torah study group producing their own commentaries, Jewish community leaders coming to terms with the challenges of Jewish pluralism. Using the social science methodology of portraiture, the authors provide nuanced detail about the wide range of participants, settings, subject matter, and ways of meaning making that characterize adult Jewish learning today. Viewing these narratives side by side enables readers to think "outside the frame" about programming, curricula, pedagogies, and contexts that encourage meaningful adult learning. This book will capture the imagination of educational leaders, clergy, policymakers, philanthropists, teachers, and adult learners, and will spark conversation about how to enrich the field of adult Jewish learning overall.

What do we mean by “adult Jewish learning”? Where is contemporary adult Jewish learning taking place? What kinds of learning matter to adult Jewish learners in the twenty-first century? Portraits of Adult Jewish Learning boldly tackles these questions through the exploration of various learners’ experiences in diverse circumstances: couples exploring a Jewish museum, actors co-creating a Jewish-themed play, social justice activists consolidating their Jewish values and identities, Jewish preschool educators visiting Israel, Jewish and non-Jewish staff at a Jewish social service agency studying traditional texts together, Latinx converts seeking to understand “how to be a good Jew,” members of a Torah study group producing their own commentaries, Jewish community leaders coming to terms with the challenges of Jewish pluralism. Using the social science methodology of portraiture, the authors provide nuanced detail about the wide range of participants, settings, subject matter, and ways of meaning making that characterize adult Jewish learning today. Viewing these narratives side by side enables readers to think “outside the frame” about programming, curricula, pedagogies, and contexts that encourage meaningful adult learning. This book will capture the imagination of educational leaders, clergy, policymakers, philanthropists, teachers, and adult learners, and will spark conversation about how to enrich the field of adult Jewish learning overall.

Portraits of Jewish Learning brings together colorful accounts of the ways that Jewish students today are having meaningful learning experiences in day school classrooms, Hebrew programs, synagogue-based schools, and high school and college courses that push students out of their comfort zone. Whether the students are second graders engaged in text analysis, sixth graders solving complex “mystery puzzles” about Jewish values, or teens encountering “counter-narratives” about Israel’s history, these stories—informed by careful and disciplined inquiry—prompt readers to reflect on questions of what Jewish learning is, what we can discover by studying experiences of learning at close range and over time, and how Jewish education can respond to the needs and interests of Jewish learners who seek a Judaism that is relevant in today’s world. The work of researchers and practitioners who are changing the landscape of contemporary Jewish education, these portraits are designed to encourage critical discussion among educational leaders, clergy, policymakers, philanthropists, and parents, as well as teachers and those aspiring to work in Jewish education. They invite us to think about the many ways that today’s Jewish education can be enriched by experimentation and innovation.

"This book resituates teaching-the questions, dilemmas, and decision-making that teachers face-as central to both Israel Studies and Israel education. It illuminates how teachers from differing pedagogical orientations and who teach in a range of educational settings learn, understand, do, and ultimately improve the work of teaching Israel"--

How do religious educators meaningfully engage adult learners? How do they invite adults to begin a learning journey and inspire them to stay on it? In an era of "spiritual but not religious," how can religious educators, and clergy in particular, respond to the yearnings of adults for connection, wholeness, and purpose? Open Minds, Devoted Hearts offers the examples of three outstanding congregational rabbis whose teaching answers that call to action. Through innovatively incorporating biographical portraits and educational scholarship the book provides a comprehensive exploration of how the themes of narrative, transformation, and spirituality bring adult religious educators and learners into a powerful interactive educational process. The portraits and accompanying analysis reveal how constructing personal meaning and building sacred community through study situates adult learning as a dynamic centerpiece of an energized congregational life.

The author describes the remarkable similarities among the Jewish diaspora throughout the world -- from those living in Germany a generation after the Holocaust, to those in Argentina, Ireland, and the Ukraine.

This comprehensive guide presents theory from the field of secular adult education in light of the questions and concerns of all aspects of adult Jewish education including learning theory curriculum programming planning budgeting and educational philosophy.

Bless Our Workforce explores the career narratives of 13 Jewish community professionals. Each uncovers a "big idea," which I call a blessing, supported by management best practice and the wisdom of Jewish tradition, to help us better motivate, honor, and show how we value the professional talent who serve Jewish life. Bless Our Workforce follows this golden rule: If we deeply get to know who we work with, we can better motivate and inspire them so each feels blessed at work. Bless Our Workforce believes that we have every ability, and all the magic in our hearts, souls, and collective might, to make the Jewish sector the best place possible to work, to align our intentions with our actions so each Jewish community professional can reach their full potential. How will you Bless Your Workforce?

The International Handbook of Jewish Education, a two volume publication, brings together scholars and practitioners engaged in the field of Jewish Education and its cognate fields world-wide. Their submissions make a significant contribution to our knowledge of the field of Jewish Education as we start the second decade of the 21st century. The Handbook is divided broadly into four main sections: Vision and Practice: focusing on issues of philosophy, identity and planning –the big issues of Jewish Education. Teaching and Learning: focusing on areas of curriculum and engagement Applications, focusing on the ways that Jewish Education is transmitted in particular contexts, both formal and informal, for children and adults. Geographical, focusing on historical, demographic, social and other issues that are specific to a region or where an issue or range of issues can be compared and contrasted between two or more locations. This comprehensive collection of articles providing high quality content, constitutes a difinitive statement on the state of Jewish Education world wide, as well as through a wide variety of lenses and contexts. It is written in a style that is accessible to a global community of academics and professionals.

Follow a Jewish family through the changing seasons in this richly illustrated book on the Jewish holidays. Full color.