The 9th annual National Jewish Education Conference for Primary School Teachers was held at the London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS) on Tuesday 14 January.
With over 200 delegates from 34 schools across the UK and schools across Europe - Helsinki, Budapest, Dusseldorf and Athens– this year’s conference was even bigger than previous years.
The theme of this year’s conference was ‘2020 Vision: Building on the Past – Creating the Future’. Co-organiser, Dr Helena Miller, Senior Lecturer in Jewish Education Studies at LSJS said, “we were delighted by the excitement and enthusiasm seen throughout the day. Teachers were able to learn new skills, see innovative technology in practice and will return to their classroom re-energised for teaching in 2020.”
The pre-conference Head of Jewish Studies evening, co-coordinated by Mrs Esther Colman, included a presentation by Jeffrey Leader, Director of Pikuach. Jeffrey said, “what is really important is that the Jewish education we provide makes a real and lasting impact on young Jewish lives. By this, I mean – more relevant and meaningful.”
Delegates heard Keynote speeches from Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Rabbi Naftali Schiff, Founder and Chief Executive of Jewish Futures and from 38 other outstanding teachers. The Chief Rabbi said, “I look out at the sea of faces before me and I’m inspired – because the teachers here are the people we have entrusted to teach the next generation our traditions.”
The sessions throughout the day were taught by outstanding teachers such as Alicia Whitehorn, Jewish Studies co-ordinator at Mount Scopus College in Melbourne, Australia who focused on curriculum development, Sarah Wagman, Programme Co-ordinator for School Direct Secondary and the LSJS Teach to Lead Programme, who looked at creative ideas for student assessment and Rabbi David Lister, Rabbi of Edgware United Synagogue, who explored teaching Jewish values in the classroom.
Shana Burton, EYFS Jewish Studies coordinator and Reception Jewish Studies teacher at Broughton Jewish Primary School in Manchester said, “the work LSJS do is incredible. This conference allows teachers to go back to their classrooms with fresh ideas and renewed energy: I have taken so much away from today.”
Joanne Greenaway, Chief Executive of LSJS commented, “This was the first time I have attended the conference and was totally inspired by the day. It offers Jewish Studies teachers an opportunity to learn, be re-energised and network with experts and teachers from other primary schools. We are looking forward to replicating its success in the first Jewish Studies Secondary School Teacher’s Conference in May." To see more photos from the Conference, click here to go to our Facebook Photo album.
