Israel in Crisis: Resources for Educators
As an organization that nurtures and trains Jewish educators, our primary goal is to support teachers in all settings, who we know have varying levels of knowledge about Israel. These resources will help you find the right words to talk with children and teens about the current crisis, and will help you understand Israel and the conflict. Please check back, as we are adding new sources regularly.
Micro-grants for Early Childhood Education Schools to Experiment and Innovate
Developed as a part of our partnership with ElevatEd, and the East Bay Early Childhood Education schools, this grant program aims to establish or extend experimental initiatives in the areas of staff recruitment, staff retention, staff mentorship or family engagement. Jewish LearningWorks decided to expand the program, and make the micro-grants available to all Bay Area Jewish preschools.
- What: Micro-grants between $2,000 – $5,000. Limited funds available.
- When: Awarded on a rolling basis starting in August, 2024. Grant projects must be completed by June 2025.
- Who: Open to all Bay Area Jewish Early Childhood Education (ECE) schools; partnerships between schools are encouraged.
- How: Contact Ellen Lefkowitz, Senior Educator, at [email protected] to inquire about the selection criteria, receive support to prepare your gran application, and submit your project. Jewish LearningWorks will begin reviewing applications on August 30, 2024.
Special Needs & Inclusion: Resources for Educators and Learners
Tools and services to ensure that all children can participate fully in Jewish life and learning. Learn more about how to create inclusive learning environments for students with special needs, request consultations and clinical observations, and access training to continue your own professional development and growth.
Join Edulist: Online Community for Jewish Educators
Jewish LearningWorks is the host of Edulist, the longest-standing and largest online group of Bay Area Jewish educators. Learn more about our online community, and how to connect with colleagues to share curricular resources, fill open jobs, and solicit advice!
Youth Mental Health First Aid: Training & Certification
Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is an accessible training program to support teen’s mental health. It is designed to teach youth professionals, parents, caregivers, teachers, school staff, neighbors and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12–18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis. All YMHFA training sessions are offered online.
Grief & Growing: A Healing Program for the Bereaved
Jewish LearningWorks is proud to have been a partner in the Bay Area Jewish Healing Center’s (BAJCC) powerful Grief and Growing camp. For nearly two decades, these annual Grief and Growing weekends provided a supportive Jewish environment where people of all ages and backgrounds could connect with others who had experienced similar losses. The weekends were facilitated by specially trained staff members who offered tools, such as creative projects, Jewish rituals, and discussion groups, to assist in the mourning process.
Following the closure of BAJHC, we are honored to serve as a home for many of the materials developed by the Grief and Growing staff. If you would like to learn more about these materials, and how to use them, please contact Senior Educator, Liora Brosbe at [email protected].
Israel Education
We believe that a comprehensive and integrated approach to Israel Education is a critical component for a holistic Jewish education. For decades, educators have looked to Jewish LearningWorks (formerly the BJE) for knowledge, skills and tools to support their work in the classroom.
We are proud to partner with The iCenter for Israel Education to offer three of our most acclaimed resources to educators across the country.
On The Map
On the Map teaches students how to think about the history, politics and culture of Israel with scores of maps as source material.
Money Talks
Money Talks provides a new lens through which the complicated history, politics and culture of Israel can be explored.
Poster Tales
Poster Tales / Krazot Mesaprot offers analysis, dialogue and more as expressed through posters — offering a year over year snapshot of Israel from a bird’s eye view. This acclaimed resource ended with Israel@60.
Jewish Values Curriculum
A library of lesson plans for family education, ideal for children 5–8 years old. Each of these lessons focus on a single middah, Jewish value. They are stand alone lessons that can be used in a variety of settings to engage families in learning and taking their experience home. Ten of the lessons can also be used for specific holiday programming.
Blessing Before Torah Study
We have created a card to help you lead the blessing before Torah study sessions. Our card includes multiple translations and alternatives to help you and your study partners make meaning.
