Our+Theme

=Our Theme=

__ISRAEL ENGAGEMENT – (RE) EXPLORING THE NEW PARADIGM__

//“Despite the enormous resources we invest (in Israel education) with the best// //intentions, we are too often ‘selling a product’ that our audience cannot relate to.// //Too often, we are projecting the memories and emotions we feel at the expense// //of the real questions they harbor.”// Israel in the Age of Eminem, p. 3

The evidence continues to mount that the gap is widening between the conventional Israel education/engagement offerings of the community and the needs of our learners. Jewish educators need to step back and reassess the shifting demands of the times. What is this audience thinking about? What questions are they asking? What impact are our current efforts having? What is working and what is not? What are the boundaries of Israel engagement? How open is the discussion? Who can participate? What should supplementary school educational leadership be considering when planning and implementing Israel Engagement learning experiences? While we will not be able to offer concrete answers to all these questions during a two day retreat, we can work together to better understand the challenges we face and begin to consider goals and tactics that will address this critical Jewish identity issue.