The Power of Our Stories

Jewish Women's Archive
2011 Institute for Educators

July 10–14, 2011
Waltham, MA

• required readings
• webinars
• eligibility
• applications
• from past participants
• further questions

As part of a group of Jewish educators from across the country, 24 participants had the opportunity to work with leading scholars and master teachers to:

• INVESTIGATE themes in Jewish women's history and the history of social movements in the U.S.
• EXAMINE primary source documents and oral histories
• EXPLORE multimedia resources, including JWA's new Living the Legacy social justice curriculum, featuring the stories of Jewish women and men involved in the Civil Rights Movement
• DEVELOP strategies and concrete plans for using the material with students.

The Institute program included:

• seminars
• experiential education workshops
• hands on computer sessions
• time for developing individualized curriculum materials

Presenters included:

• Dr. Joyce Antler, Professor of American Jewish History and Culture, Brandeis University and author of The Journey Home: How Jewish Women Shaped Modern America.
• Dr. Jayne Guberman, independent oral historian and former Director of Oral History and Online Collecting at the Jewish Women’s Archive
• Rabbi Jill Jacobs, author of There Shall Be No Needy: Pursuing Social Justice Through Jewish Law and Tradition.
• Yavilah McCoy, a teacher, writer, editor, diversity consultant, and the New England Director of The Curriculum Initiative
• Dr. Debra Schultz, author of Going South: Jewish Women in the Civil Rights Movement.
• Dr. Susan Zeiger, Program Director at Primary Source

Required Readings

• Chronology from 'Civil Rights--The 1960s Freedom Struggle' by Rhoda Louis Blumberg
• Introduction to 'Going South' by Debra Schultz
• Twenty questions & interview tips
• Article on Freedom Rides by Calvin Trillin, from the July 25 New Yorker

Webinars

As part of the Institute experience, JWA hosts several online webinars and conference calls for participants during the school year following the Institute. Through these meetings, Institute participants have the opportunity to reconnect, share ideas, learn new teaching strategies, and be the first to know about new educational resources developed by JWA.

• Our November 1st webinar focused on strategies for sharing JWA's resources with your home community and topics to cover in an outreach presentation. Participants can download notes and resources from the webinar below, including the PowerPoint presentation, which you can edit for your own session.
  • JWA Outreach PowerPoint presentation
  • How-To slides with notes on important talking points (includes detailed notes for those that missed some or all of the webinar)
  • Handout for Audience Members (this can be printed and given to people so they can take notes about where things are as you go through the websites)
  • What We Do List of JWA's 2011-2012 programs

  Possible topics for upcoming webinars include: New resources from JWA, engaging techniques for informal education, sharing about work using Living the Legacy, and adapting JWA materials for younger students.

  Eligibility

  • The Institute was open to educators of all genders who work with students in grades 8–12 in formal and/or informal settings.
  • Participants' expenses were covered, including hotel, kosher meals, and up to $500 for travel by a generous grant from the Dorot Foundation.
  • Prospective Institute applicants are required to review the Living the Legacy curriculum before filling out the application.
  • Educators who participate in the Institute are require to teach at least three lesson plans from Living the Legacy during the 2011-2012 school year.

  Applications

  The application period is now closed.

  From 2011 Institute Participants:

  "I “charged my batteries” this week – I am full of new ideas for my classroom, my school, and my community – not only about Jews and the civil rights movement but about Jewish  women and our place in every discussion."

  "Most surprising was the breadth and thoughtfulness of the participants, combined with enthusiasm for learning about Jewish  women.  I am excited to implement the courses and classes."

  "The most surprising or perhaps exciting thing to me was the opportunity to quickly build a network of teachers with whom I can share, learn from, and continue to count on to nurture our ability to become better teachers."

  "I learned valuable skills that will translate into many areas of Jewish education including making text study meaningful, the basics of taking oral histories, and how to make community service more relevant and impactful in my community."

  "I’m a strong believer in creating “links in the Jewish  chain” of history and Jewish  experience.  We have so much to learn from those who have come before us – from our ancestors in the Torah through the girls soon to become Bat Mitzvah.  Jewish women have important things to say and to share."

  "Imagine spending a week with a group of extraordinary educators.  Imagine learning about Jewish women who stood for justice during the civil rights movement of the ‘60s.  Imagine an incredible curriculum available online – free! – that is a fountain of information, lesson plans, pictures, and more.  Imagine the number of courses and special programs that will enrich our community from the conference.  That’s what my week was like – an honor, a privilege and a gift."

  Check out photos from the 2011 Institute and read blog posts from staff and a participant.

  Questions:

  Call or email us.

  Go to jwa.org/teach for information on other educational resources offered by the Jewish Women's Archive