Why Shouldn’t We Give Up On Synagogue Schools?

Date: Nov 02, 2022

Time: 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Sponsor: Online Learning | Public Lectures and Events

Location: Online

Category: Online Learning Public Lectures & Events ScholarStream

Why Shouldn’t We Give Up on Synagogue Schools?

Wednesday, November 2, 2022, 8:00–9:00 p.m. ET
Online

Part of ScholarStream Series 2: What’s Your Burning Question?

With Dr. Shira Epstein, Dean of the William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education, The Jewish Theological Seminary 

We have all heard the well-worn proclamation, “Synagogue schools are broken.” In this lecture, Dr. Shira D. Epstein, dean of JTS’s Davidson School of Graduate Jewish Education, will offer an alternate perspective, exploring the question, “Why Shouldn’t We Give Up on Synagogue Schools?” She will prompt participants to consider their individual “ideal vs. real” conceptions of synagogue-based youth learning, and offer visuals that spark reflection on the stereotypes often held about the impact of congregational schooling. Dr. Epstein will guide participants to consider how images of the “ideal and real” can be better aligned, sparking ideas for how parents, lay leaders, and synagogue professional staff might craft more positive language to communicate what their synagogue-based offerings can uniquely provide to their communities. She will offer a few models, as example, of communities that have recently redesigned their offerings, and in the process have amplified the values of the synagogue-as-community.

Individuals can sign up at a cost of $25 for the series or for free with a code from a sponsoring congregation. 

ABOUT SCHOLARSTREAM 

Beginning in August and spanning all the way up to Shavuot, JTS is partnering with other Conservative Movement seminaries and institutions to offer seven lecture series featuring outstanding scholars and teachers from across the movement. Synagogues are invited to become ScholarStream co-sponsors so that their members may enjoy all of the lectures at no charge.