The Coalition of Innovating Congregations

Thinking more about the power of Positive Regard is a great framework for starting the new year on the right foot.

Looking for new innovative models for congregational learning? Here are glimpses into four exciting and impactful new models. Temple Beth Shalom of Needham, MA launched a new model for Jewish learning based on two core principles: depth of relationships and depth of learning (http://www.jewishboston.com/this-isnt-your-parents-hebrew-/). At the close of this model description, you’ll find descriptions of three other models: one in a small congregation (http://www.jewishboston....com/transforming-jewish-education-/); one in which groups of learners partner with committees in the congregation (http://www.jewishboston.com/learning-corps-weaves-fabric-o/); and an arts-based model (http://www.jewishboston.com/not-just-another-painted-tzeda/). It’s very exciting to read about these new approaches to engage learners and connect them to living Jewishly. See more

Are you looking for ways to recharge and to learn over the summer? For ideas on what to read, here is a list of 18 Essential Summer Reads for Jewish Educators suggested by Rabbi Michael Mellen (http://www.jewishedproject.org/summerreads). Or perhaps you are interested in more formal studying. Gratz College in Philadelphia offers a fabulous on-line summer program (NEXT) for Jewish educators in the supplementary schools (http://www.gratz.edu/next/pages/classes-this-semester). Here’s your chance to learn with top educators without the commute. And while the summer break lasts only a couple of months, this TED talk about the Power of Time Off by Stefan Sagmeister may get you thinking about what you gain from time off (https://www.ted.com//stefan_sagmeister_the_power_of_time_o).

The Omer is a time when we verbally count the days between the Freedom of Pesach and the Receiving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. This year The Jewish Education Project is highlighting how new thinking around education can liberate all of us from the ways we have often done things and help us to confront the new realities often presented to us by our current learners and their families.