Is It October 8th? A Healing Space for Jewish Educators
For two years, Jewish educators have been living in real time what it means to teach a changed Jewish people against the backdrop of war, antisemitism, and the ongoing hostage crisis.
Now, with the arrival of the proverbial October 8, we are living in the intersection of hope and complexity. At once, educators may be holding the happiness of the return of the living hostages, ongoing sadness about the 19 remaining in captivity, questions about responsibility, healing, and our own roles.
Educators are once again on the front lines of making meaning for our learners and communities, and in order to do our work as well as care for ourselves, we invite you to reflect, unpack, and process with our community of colleagues.
Join The Jewish Education Project in conversation with Dr. Betsy Stone to explore what it means to be a Jewish educator on October 8. In this healing space, we will reflect on the new stage of our world and our work, and will support one another in our shared next steps.
- After School and Beyond
- Early Childhood Education
- Educator Training
- Camp
- Congregational Learning
- Day Schools and Yeshivas
- Early Childhood
- Family Engagement
- Teen Engagement
Betsy Stone is a Yale-educated retired psychologist who lectures internationally on issues of psychological wellness, trauma and post-traumatic growth, generational differences and many other topics. She consults with clergy, leads Scholar in Residence weekends and supports Jewish professionals. Her work is published in eJewishPhilanthropy and the Times of Israel. She is engaging, knowledgeable and approachable.
Dr. Samantha Vinokor-Meinrath, Ed.D., is the Senior Director of Knowledge, Ideas and Learning at The Jewish Education Project. A lifelong Jewish educator and learner, Samantha has lived and worked in Jewish communities in Israel, Washington DC, Cleveland, and New York. Samantha is a recognized expert on Israel education, Jewish teens, antisemitism education, and Jewish peoplehood. She is the author of #antisemitism: Coming of Age During the Resurgence of Hate, a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award in the category of Education and Jewish Identity. She is an alumna of the University of Pittsburgh, the Jewish Theological Seminary, and Gratz College. Samantha lives in Westchester with her husband, two children, and two beloved rescue dogs.
Discover more
After October 7, educators were asked to guide students while still making sense of their own evolving relationship to Israel and to Jewish peoplehood. What does it mean to teach when the ground beneath the curriculum is still shifting? What has changed in Israel education? What do educators need to
One of the successes of J-Life is that it continues to build community among parents. Most of the learners who started in kindergarten have stayed to continue going on to the upper grades. Parents express that they have a lot of fun participating in J-Life and that they enjoy coming to these experiences.
8 tips for discussing Israel and antisemitism with children who have developmental disabilities.