The London School of Jewish Studies has just held its fourth annual conference for secondary school Jewish studies teachers and informal educators – only its second in person.
Following a warm welcome from Chief Executive Joanne Greenaway, Chief Rabbi Mirvis, LSJS President, opened the conference with a timely address related to Shavuot and the importance of the journey leading up to it. With regards to education, he said, the journey is more important than the destination. “Every learning opportunity opens the door to further learning opportunities. When we teach, we learn even more.”
Keynote address: Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis
This was followed by three breakout sessions. Thanks to UnitEd (Ministry of the Diaspora) and Koren Publishers, we were delighted to host two leading educators. Dr Rivka Press Shwartz, Associate Principal at SAR High School in New York City and Rabbi Dr Daniel Rose, Director of Education at Koren Publishers. Teachers attending the conference were also able to hear from Mr Spencer Lewis, Executive Head Teacher at Yavneh College, Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum, Dean of LSJS, and Dayan Eliezer Zobin Principal of Immanuel College.
The conference sessions challenged the teachers to consider how our children perceive the notion of faith, the relevance of ritual and the purpose of prayer. Other sessions facilitated discussion about the power and perils of the teachers as role models and the role of informal educators to support students with the challenges of today. There were also opportunities to learn practical strategies of how to engage our students in the study of text and a final session exploring ways teachers can partner with parents in the Jewish journey of their children through school.
Dr Rivka Schwartz addresses a packed room
Rabbi Danny Baigel, Secondary Programmes Manager and Jewish Career Pathways Director at LSJS, who organised the event, said: “Our conference challenged our teachers to rethink how core, traditional values, texts and concepts need to be framed to support the students of today in our classrooms. There was a real positive energy amongst participants and it is inspiring to be amongst such dedicated professionals. The conference was the first step, our teachers now need the time to reflect and consider ways to implement the ideas discussed in their school setting.”
Joanne Greenaway said: “Bringing together Jewish studies teachers and educators for enrichment and development is so critical and we so enjoy being able to both celebrate what our teachers do and provide nourishment and space for challenge and reflection. Many challenges in Jewish Education today are age old yet they need constant reframing to meet the students of today. I’m always so inspired by our community of teachers - they deserve all our investment and more!”
The conference was well received by delegates. Michael Lewis, Head of Jewish Studies at Immanuel College, commented: “It’s been great to have time to think, to challenge and be challenged.”
