Jewish Learning Central

Dedicated to helping others reimagine Jewish learning

Make for yourself a teacher; acquire for yourself a friend. And judge others with the scale weighted in their favor. (Pirkei Avot, Chapter 1, verse 6)

עֲשֵׂה לְךָ רַב, וּקְנֵה לְךָ חָבֵר, וֶהֱוֵי דָן אֶת כָּל הָאָדָם לְכַף זְכוּת

This verse from Pirkei Avot, Ethics of our Ancestors specifies for us the breadth of what learners can gain from a vibrant learning environment. First are teachers and guides, Jewish texts and wisdom, stories and values, role models, and a process for uncovering and debating all that our tradition has to share. Second are friends, a community, support, collaboration, nourishment, and joy. What we are asked to give back is kindness, to treat others with respect, to include them always, and to give them encouragement and the latitude to be themselves. This is the guiding Jewish teaching that for the foundation for the work we do at Jewish Learning Central.

Jewish Learning Central’s Strategic Vision

Vision

Reimagine Jewish learning and engagement that is meaningful, important, inspirational, relevant, and fun.

Mission

  • Provide Jewish teachers with curricular materials and classroom learning they can readily implement to nurture children’s voices, deliver important content to raise Jewish literacy, and build the learner’s 21st century skills;

  • Equip Jewish educators with training that expands their abilities as classroom teachers, grows their Jewish knowledge, and helps them to understand their role as a “guide on the side” and not a “sage on the stage” as they foster each individual child’s connections to Jewish life and learning;

  • Mentor senior and novice educators in strategic visioning, school administration, faculty management, and curriculum planning;

  • Support clergy, lay leaders, and educators in developing a fresh strategic vision for congregational education;

  • Deliver meaningful programs to children and families of all ages that raise Jewish literacy, spiritual connections, and joy;

  • Give Jewish parents and grandparents tools to help them connect and transmit Judaism to the next generation.

Purpose

To make a difference in the present and future of Jewish learning. To bring expertise and proven methodologies to educators, clergy, and leaders who seek to more deeply engage their communities in Torah, Avodah, and Gemilut Chasadim — Jewish learning, celebration, and acts of loving kindness.

Core Values

  • Put the student at the center

  • Create a judgement-free zone

  • Nurture voice and choice

  • Expand 21st century skills

  • Use the Experiential Toolkit

  • Build in flexibility

  • Seek joy

  • Make Jewish texts accessible to learners

  • Show kindness

  • Teach through stories

  • Connect kids and adults to prayer

  • Implement Project-Based Learning