Adapting Podcast Series: Israel Education in a Post-October 7th World

A Jewish education is and has always been, at the very heart of shaping identity and the Jewish future. So what does Jewish education look like in a post-October 7th world, and why is it more important now than ever? How do we navigate history and current events with children given the rise in global antisemitism? What tools can we provide them with amidst a war in Israel? Here is a collection of episodes that tackle these, and other big questions that educators face with CEO David Bryfman and an expert guest on the weekly podcast, Adapting: The Future of Jewish Education. Click the links below or listen on Apple or Spotify. 

No School is Immune to Antisemitism

This week's multi-faceted conversation between David Bryfman and Jonathan Cannon demonstrates that even deeply religious and Zionist schools are not immune to the ripple effects of October 7th. In times of heightened antisemitism, they too need to empower their students more than ever.
 
 This forward-looking episode of Adapting not only sheds light on the most critical needs in Israel education, but the critical actions one Zionist school is taking to address them. Bryfman and Cannon also discuss parental involvement, creating safe spaces, lessons learned after October 7th, and more. 

The Heart-Head-Hand of Israel Education

How has October 7th impacted your connection to Israel? Since then, is there someone you have been holding in your heart?

These are just some of the questions Dr. Jonathan Golden incorporates in his Israel education paradigm of using the heart (feelings), head (questions), and hand (thoughts) to have these important conversations.

In the second episode of our series, Golden emphasizes the necessity of first processing your own emotions, then those of your learners, before diving into the cognitive. This tried-and-true method will help us become better Israel and Jewish educators.

All Changes Great and Small in Education

In the aftermath of October 7th, it's clearer than ever before that there is a need for both advocacy and education to bring about the changes necessary in independent and public-school education.

David Bryfman and Laura Shaw Frank of AJC discuss teaching history and current events while ensuring moral clarity remains center stage, responsible speech versus free speech, and stories from school that will shock you. At the end of the day, though, oftentimes it's the small actions that can have great impact that matter most.

If you're an educator looking for support on how to address this relevant topic with your learners, this episode is for you.