Gleanings: Portraits of Jewish Educational Leadership from the William Davidson School

Welcome from the Dean

Shira D. Epstein, Ed.D, Dean, William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education

I welcome you to the Summer 2022 issue of Gleanings: Portraits of Jewish Educational Leadership from The William Davidson School. We remain true to the original vision of Gleanings, “introducing the cutting-edge principles, concepts, and programs that continue to be developed and implemented by The William Davidson School through profiles of changemaking educational leaders.” The theme of this issue, “Teaching Sacred Texts,” highlights four innovative pedagogues and the ways in which their instructional leadership and teaching practices are inspiring learners to develop personal connection to Jewish traditional written works, including Bible, Talmud, midrashic literature, liturgy, and mystical texts.

Talmud Study and Transformative Theology: Laynie Soloman

Laynie Soloman loves to study and teach rabbinic texts and celebrates the way text study invites the ability to read oneself back into history. At SVARA, Soloman leads reflective learning practices for the “traditionally radical” yeshiva.

“I Learn Because I Am a Teacher”: Shira Forester

Traditional Jewish text study is grounded in relationship building, the starting point of Shira Forester’s career in Jewish education.

Fostering Meaningful Connections to Text: Barry Holtz

Teaching a love of sacred text is at the core of Barry Holtz’s educational philosophy. Observing educational trends in the past half-century, he believes the wisdom and insight from ancient sources can make learning relevant and meaningful across generations.

Stretching the Canvas of Interpretive Possibilities: Adina Allen

Rabbi Adina Allen at the Jewish Studio Project promotes art-making as a way for learners to engage with and discover meaning from sacred texts.

News from William Davidson School Alumni

We are very proud of our William Davidson School alumni who shared the following professional achievements and brought us up to date on their roles. If you have an update that you would like to share in the next issue, please reach out to Melissa Friedman, Director of Alumni Affairs at mefriedman@jtsa.edu.