2023 LSJS National Jewish Education Conference for Primary School teachers
Create, Innovate, Celebrate
For the first time in three years, 160 Jewish studies teachers for Jewish primary schools came together in person to create, innovate and celebrate Jewish education. The Chief Rabbi’s opening address spoke about how important our teachers are – they are role models for the next generation of young Jewish adults.
Following the keynote, participants chose from a range of 21 sessions, from sessions on using technology to teach Torah, to thinking about Jewishly engaging with families, to creative ways of teaching the weekly parasha. The day ended with three inspirational TED talks.
One innovation this year was the participation of 24 European educators from Jewish schools in twelve cities across Europe, from Tallin to Dusseldorf and Bucharest to Stockholm.
David Wilk, Head of Jewish Studies at North West London Jewish Day School, Willesden, said “this has been an absolutely fantastic day. Even though I’ve been a teacher for many years, the sessions today have given me new insights to take back into school”.
Joanne Greenaway, executive director of LSJS, said “for me this is what Jewish education is all about. And the added dimension of this conference is the participation of teachers from all over Europe. We can see today the amazing talent in our schools”.
Conference co-chairs, Dr. Helena Miller and Esther Colman were delighted to see how many practical ideas for different areas of the Jewish Studies curriculum could be adapted for use in school the very next day. In addition, Dr. Miller said “Jewish education is not just what we teach, but how we teach it. Our teachers are role models for the children in their schools, and today’s conference showed how important that is for every classroom”.
LSJS partnered with, and was sponsored by UnitEd, an Israel Ministry of Diaspora Initiative which works to strengthen Jewish education in the Diaspora.
LSJS also hosted the Heads of Jewish Studies forum on Monday night which saw senior leaders of Jewish Studies come together for a session exploring leadership of Jewish education led by Emily Shapiro, UnitEd Director of European schools.
For more information on teacher training or degrees at LSJS please visit ww.lsjs.ac.uk or call 020 8203 6427.
