Imagine teaching at a Jewish day school, where Israel is a mandatory part of the curriculum. But you’re not Jewish, and in some cases, your students know more about Israel than you do.
The Educator Leadership Institute of the Israel Education Initiative is trying to change that.
This summer, the institute took 15 teachers and administrators from both campuses of Brandeis Hillel Day School in San Francisco and San Rafael plus the Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School in Foster City to Israel. Many of them were not Jewish and had never before been to Israel. The objective was for them to learn how to bring more Israeli knowledge into their classrooms.
“Our goal is really to have a major impact on the school’s culture vis-a-vis Israel,” said Vavi Toran, director of the Israel Education Initiative, a joint project of the Israel Center of the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation and the Bureau of Jewish Education. The institute helped staff the trip, which was also staffed by several Jewish day school educators who’d already made a similar trip.
Toran said it became apparent to her that the non-Jewish teachers at day schools often don’t understand why Israel is so central to Jewish identity — and, therefore, don’t quite know how to teach it.
“For the Judaic studies and Hebrew teachers, Israel and Hebrew is a natural connection,” said Toran. “But the general studies teachers have to use their imagination a little harder in order to come out with things they can interject into the curriculum that will highlight Israel.
“We want them to sort of ‘get it’ and understand.”
The trip was funded partially by the schools and partially by anonymous donors to the Israel Education Initiative.
In addition to the sightseeing that occurs on any trip to Israel, the teachers were given the opportunity to meet with teachers from two Israeli schools.
Johanna Zabierek, the head of the lower school at Brandeis Hillel in San Francisco, said that the meeting with her Israeli peers was “fantastic, they were really professional and enthusiastic and excited to make connections.”
But overall, the Catholic-raised educator said she came away feeling that she now completely understands Israel’s centrality to Jews. “I understand its relevance not only to the past concerning the Jewish people, but their future. So having that understanding is invaluable, especially as an administrator at a Jewish day school.”
Amy Kurzeka, a history teacher at Wornick, said that as a Catholic the trip to Jerusalem resonated with her both personally and professionally.
Since she teaches about Christianity and Islam as well as Judaism, she found her visit to the Old City of Jerusalem especially moving.
But moreover, she feels that she understands the culture of the school a bit more.
“I don’t think I ever felt left out, but now when certain events come up at school, I’ll have a better sense of what they’re talking about,” she said.
“Also, there are a lot of teachers who have spent a lot of time there, or who are Israeli, and are very passionate about their culture and background. Now I have a better idea of why that is and a better understanding of the school community.”