Educator Development
The Educational Services Department of the Bureau of Jewish Education of Rhode Island offers an array of programs and services for greater Rhode Island Jewish educators.
2010 Elaine and Sanford Kroll Conference for Jewish Educators
Active Learning in the Jewish Classroom
The Bureau of Jewish Education of Rhode Island welcomes Shoshana Silberman, co-author of Active Jewish Learning
Active Learning strategies ensure that we teach well each day. As Dr. Jonathan Woocher of JESNA recently noted in a summary of several papers on Jewish education, “When we provide opportunities to learn that respond to the real needs and aspirations of learners, that are serious and of high quality, and that engage learners as co-creators of their experiences, Jewish education ‘works,’ and works extremely well.”
Shoshana Silberman, a prolific author and Jewish educator, adapted her husband Mel’s (z”l) methods for the Jewish classroom. She has been a teacher, principal, consultant and workshop leader. She currently serves as a consultant at the Auerbach Central Agency for Jewish Education in Philadelphia.
In addition to a keynote session with Silberman, five breakout sessions will be offered on the following topics: Being a Classroom Aide, Cooperative Learning Strategies, Hebrew Reading Strategies, Modern Technology in the Classroom, and The Talmud: An Introduction. Pre-registration for the breakout sessions is not required.
Register online or download a registration form at right.
The 2010 Kroll Conference is the first in a year-long series of workshops on active learning, all designed to help educators improve their methods and enhance their students' learning. A list of scheduled programs appears below.
Wednesday, November 3
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Active Jewish Learning Workshop: Hanukkah
Monday, November 8
all sessions with Shoshana Silberman
- Rabbi William G. Braude Principals Retreat 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
- Active Jewish Learning Workshop: Day Schools 2:00 - 4:30 pm
- Active Jewish Learning Workshop: Enrichment Seminar 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Wednesday, December 15
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Active Jewish Learning Workshop: Shalom Sesame
Tuesday, January 25
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Active Jewish Learning Workshop: Bible
Tuesday, February 8
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Active Jewish Learning Workshop: Sharing
Wednesday, March 16
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Active Jewish Learning Workshop: Passover
2010 Professional Development Grants for Israel Study
The Educational Services Department has limited funds available to subsidize educators participating in an approved professional development program in Israel. Click here to download the application. Contact Larry Katz for more information.
Larry Katz: 401-331-0956 x179 or lkatz@bjeri.org
BJE/RI Fellowships
BJE/RI Fellowships are available annually to area educators who meet requirements established by the Educational Services Committee. Each fellowship provides an annual stipend of approximately $750 for coursework in a degree program. To apply for a fellowship, contact Lawrence Katz, Associate Executive Director, at 401.331.0956 x179 or via email at lkatz@bjeri.org.
Creativity Center and Library
The Bureau’s Creativity Center and Library offer a treasure trove of materials, references and resources for area Jewish educators. Whether you’re looking for engaging classroom activities, videos on a particular subject, or materials to brighten your classroom, we can help. Consultations in the Library are by appointment only and should be scheduled with Lawrence Katz, who can be reached at 401.331.0956 x179. For Library and Creativity Center open hours, click here.
Educator Awards
Each year, the Bureau of Jewish Education offers awards to teachers for creativity in curriculum design and lesson planning or general excellence in teaching. If you would like to nominate a teacher in your school for an award, contact Lawrence Katz, Associate Executive Director, at 401.331.0956 x179 or via email at lkatz@bjeri.org.
Foundation for Jewish Day Schools
Established in 2006 as a scholarship granting organization to benefit families of the Jewish Community Day School and Providence Hebrew Day School, the Foundation for Jewish Day Schools is administered by the Educational Services Department of BJE/RI. Qualified corporations interested in making a tax-deductible contribution to this SGO should contact Lawrence Katz, Foundation Administrator, at 401.331.0956 x179 or via email at lkatz@bjeri.org.
Elaine and Sanford Kroll Conference
The Elaine and Sanford Kroll Conference is offered annually and focuses on a specific theme or educational area.
Joseph and Leba Zelniker Conference
The Joseph and Leba Zelniker Confrence is offered annually and focuses on a specific theme or educational area.
Morim Seminar
Offered in alternating years, the Morim program is a monthly professional development opportunity for teachers relatively new to the profession of Jewish education. The sessions offered through the Morim program will help teachers develop the practical skills they need to succeed in the classroom, covering topics such as lesson-planning and classroom management, among others. Stipends are available to teachers who complete at least eighty percent of the sessions. If you are interested in participating in the Morim program, please contact Lawrence Katz, Associate Executive Director at 401.331.0956 x179 or via email at lkatz@bjeri.org.
Principals Council
The Educational Services Department operates a Principals Council for all professional school leaders as a forum for study and discussion of educational leadership matters.
Special Education Program
The Educational Services Department oversees the Bureau’s Special Education program for pre-Bar/Bat Mitzvah students in area synagogue schools. We can work with area educators and administrators to identify students who may benefit from the one-on-one instruction offered by the experienced teachers on the Bureau staff.
For more information on any Educational Services Department program or service, contact Lawrence Katz, Associate Executive Director, at 401.331.0956 x179 or via email at lkatz@bjeri.org.