The Journeys of Jewish Educators: Engaging with Research and Art-Making

This program is co-sponsored by CASJE and Jewish Studio Project.
You can register for either the synchronous or asynchronous program.

The CASJE Career Trajectories of Jewish Educators Study is a landmark, multi-strand study that examines the addresses the recruitment, retention, and development of educators working in Jewish settings in the United States. You can read more about the study at casje.org.

As we anticipate releasing the study findings to the public over the next few months, CASJE wanted to create a special opportunity to preview part of the study with Jewish educators, demonstrate that research in Jewish education can be for those who work in the field and not just about you, and ultimately say thank you to Jewish educators for the work you do.

To that end, CASJE partnered with Jewish Studio Project to develop a 90 minute workshop designed around dynamic interaction with the research through text study and the creation of visual poetry. Our hope is that as Jewish educators you will see your own experiences reflected in the study findings, engage in delightful discussion with colleagues and have some time to activate your creativity in a playful and connective way.

TORAH IN SITU: To BE SEEN IN CONTEXT
When we think about a Torah scroll, we usually only consider the letters themselves, written in black ink. Yet, in the Talmud, the rules for writing a Torah scroll state that every letter must be completely surrounded by the white of the parchment. Contemplating the value of that negative space we will consider the importance of context in the art of interpretation, the presence of what is absent and the importance of play for Jewish Educators. Engaging with research also requires interpretation in uncovering how to translate findings into practice and in balancing the wisdom of research and the wisdom of experience. All of those themes will inform our hands-on experience creating visual poetry. All are welcome, no prior knowledge or experience expected or required.