Northern communities focus on education

Menorah Synagogue, Manchester, hosted the Movement for Reform Judaism’s education day. It was attended by approximately 30 teachers, assistants, Directors of Education and lay leaders from four Northern MRJ communities, including Sinai Synagogue, Leeds; Menorah, Manchester; and one Liberal community, Bristol.

Limmud style sessions were offered from the Judith Trust, Memorial Scrolls Trust, PJ Library, Kathryn Michael, Marlene Myerson and Rabbi Debbie Young-Somers. Topics ranged from Special Eucational Needs to Jewish crafting in the classroom, from services for toddlers services to innovative curricula and educational theory.

Reform Judaism’s Community Educator, Rabbi Debbie Young-Somers commented: “We were delighted to have was Batsheva Frankel from Los Angeles, creator of launchbox Jewish educational games for teens, as our keynote speaker. Feedback has been very positive and we’ve been asked for more of the same!”

Sinai’s Director of Education, Gwynneth Lewis, added: “The day was really well planned with a great choice of sessions to suit all teaching and classroom assistant staff, whether teens or adults, professionally qualified teachers or volunteers.  It was great to have two sessions introducing teaching ideas and curricula from the States, as well as a fantastic session on inclusivity by The Judith Trust. The session run by Rabbi Ariel Friedlander, Administrator for the Memorial Scrolls Trust, on the Czech scrolls held around the world by a number of synagogues, gave rise to some great ideas for post B’nei Mitzvah education.  Altogether, a day well spent.”