Adapting: The Future of Jewish Education

As of this episode’s recording, 461 days have passed since Dalia Cusnir last heard from Yair and Eitan, her brothers-in-law who have been held captive in Gaza by Hamas. In the most important Adapting episode yet, David Bryfman speaks with Dalia about her personal journey, and the educational and moral imperative of pidyon shvuyim (redeeming the captives).   At a time when compassion fatigue feels...

In the final 2024 episode of Adapting , David Bryfman hosts Jonathan Shmidt Chapman—award-winning artist, writer, and Jewish educator—for a lively conversation about bringing Jewish education to life through drama and creativity. Focusing on Chanukah, Chapman emphasizes using multi-sensory experiences, like smell and taste, to make Jewish traditions more immersive and meaningful for children and f...

In the aftermath of an arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, David Bryfman interviews two Melbourne-based Jewish educators Itzik Sztokman and Marc Light. Together, they explore the emotional and educational ripple effects of this act of antisemitism on their local Jewish community.  Itzik reflects on the growing sense of unease among Jewish students and families, emphasizing the...

Do you, as an educator or parent, wish there was a guidebook for combatting antisemitism? Look no further than Lynne Azarchi and Harlene Lichter Galen’s new curriculum: Countering Anti-Semitism and Hate: A How-to Guide for Youth, Family, and Educators.   In a conversation with David Bryfman, the authors share insights from three years of research and emphasize the importance of transforming bystan...

What does an inclusive classroom look like if there's no education on antisemitism? Public school teacher Shana Dworken knows and has been a vocal advocate for Jewish students and Jewish education, especially since October 7th. In this week's conversation with David Bryfman, they explore how to create lasting, systemic change in public schools and discuss why Jews, who have always played...

As we look at the future of Israel education, it's just as critical to look back and reflect on how we as educators have succeeded and could have improved in this holy work. In this pivotal and hard-hitting Adapting episode on laying out the vision of Israel education, David Bryfman and Dr. Zohar Raviv create the space to look inward, encouraging educators to be self-critical and self-reflect...

For centuries Jews have contributed to American democracy, while American democracy has simultaneously contributed significantly to the success of American Jewry. In a lead-up to the election, David Bryfman has a timely conversation with Aaron Dorfman, founder and executive director of A More Perfect Union: The Jewish Partnership for Democracy. Their profound discussion highlights the importance o...

In this essential episode for Jewish educators, Rabba Yaffa Epstein, an Orthodox rabbi, and Rabbi Dena Klein, a Reform rabbi, discuss the challenges and opportunities of leading prayer in today’s world. With the High Holidays approaching, they offer practical advice for anyone guiding services, from maintaining your own spiritual energy to engaging children who may not feel connected.  They share...

Education has the power to break down divisions that separate us. This week on Adapting , David Bryfman is joined by Dr. Ethan Zadoff to discuss how a religious Zionist school has been navigating the aftermath of October 7th. Building on Zadoff's ​​​​ recent article , which advocates for open and nuanced conversations in the classroom. Together, they address the role of Zionism in the religio...

Judaism is many things—a religion, a culture, a history, a set of values—but above all, it is a people.   This week on Adapting , David Bryfman is joined by Naama Klar from the ANU Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv. The two explore how Jewish peoplehood is about preserving continuity by safeguarding the stories and rich heritage of Jewish communities around the world. Learn how through educa...

Over the last 10 months, Dr. Tuvia Book, an author, tour guide, and educator, has been serving in the Israel Defense Forces as a paramedic. His experiences are stories of people doing the work on the ground, and while we may feel the distance between Israel and U.S. Jewry, Tuvia's Zionist story, one of optimism, courage, and strength, brings it all back together.  This episode was produced by...

Since October 7th, Australian educator Sharonne Blum has been on the frontlines on the war of information both in the classroom and on social media. Her courageous approach raises important questions for both the Australian and global Jewish community: Has the role of Jewish educator expanded to include a new layer of responsibility? How do we effectively support students who are becoming increasi...

Zack Bodner is asking tough, necessary questions—engaging in a kind of post-October 7th Cheshbon HaNefesh , or self-reflection, for Jewish educators. In this week's episode of Adapting, David Bryfman and Zack Bodner have a provocative conversation inspired by Bodner's  recent article in The Jerusalem Post on communal reckoning. Together, they explore where we've gone wrong as a Jewi...

CEO David Bryfman kicks off Season 5 of Adapting with a powerful episode that sets the tone for the season ahead, now more critical than ever especially after the news of the six hostages who were murdered by Hamas. As Bryfman reflects on the podcast’s journey since its inception in 2020, he challenges listeners to think critically and deeply about the new reality confronting Jewish educators in a...

October 7th has forced Jewish educators and parents to look inward as to how they are impacting Jewish youths' relationship to Israel. Since October 7th, The Jewish Education Project, along with many partner organizations, has brought over 300 educators to Israel on Mishlachot Areyvut ("Delegations of Responsibility") to bear witness firsthand and take that experience back to their...

What makes Jewish summer camp so powerful? How can it shape the lives and perspectives of Jewish youth and Jewish adults for years to come? How are camps approaching Israel education this summer?    In this episode, David Bryfman explores the world of Jewish summer camp in a conversation with Jamie Simon, Chief Program Officer of the Foundation for Jewish Camp. Delve into the personal and professi...

If Jewish educators want to produce kids of tomorrow, then they must embrace the technology of today to help get them there. Technological tools like artificial intelligence, social media, and 3D printers aren't an elective or an addition, but are part and parcel of what we as educators should be using to get ahead of the curve.     No one probably agrees with this more than David Merel, foun...

In the wake of October 7th, this year's observances of Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut feel different and carry a profound sense of weight.     How do we mark this time both inside and outside of Israel? How do we, as a community, channel our grief into collective remembrance, including all innocent lives lost? As Jewish leaders, these are just some of the questions we are actively thin...

Please note, this episode was recorded prior to the Iranian attacks on Israel on April 13th. In our ongoing series, "Israel Education in a Post-October 7th World," Ilana Gleicher-Bloom emphasizes the new era of Jewish education we find ourselves in today, one in which Jewish educators are now full-time Israel educators. Her message is clear: it's not enough to simply know our Israel...

Jewish pride isn't just an emotion, but is an idea that can be taught. According to this week's Adapting guest, if it's not taught, it's dangerous to suppress.     Joining David Bryfman this week is educator, author, and founder of the modern Jewish pride movement, Ben M. Freeman. The pair discuss his experiences and overlap between the LGBTQ+ community and being Jewish, and ho...

We’re continuing our limited series, Israel Education in a Post-October 7th World, with Rabbi Dr. Laura Novak Winer, a Reform Jewish Educator who just returned from an educator mission to Israel  powered by The Jewish Education Project along with the Association for Reform Jewish Educators and Hebrew Union College community.  It’s one thing to see posts on social media from Israel since October 7t...

This week on Adapting, we return to the series, Israel and Jewish Education in a Post-October 7th World, with a conversation on antisemitism, particularly in the film industry.   Join David Bryfman as he sits down with Todd Shotz, an acclaimed film and television producer, Jewish educator, and a leading consultant on Jewish representation in Hollywood. Shotz recently won an Emmy Award as consultin...

Recorded on International Women’s Day, this week's episode of Adapting poses the question: if the workforce of Jewish education is largely dominated by women, why are there still disproportionately more men in the senior leadership positions?  This introspective conversation with Dr. Sara Shapiro-Plevan and David Bryfman explores many of the inequities that exist in the Jewish communal worksp...

Danny Mishkin and Lynn Lancaster are making waves in experiential Jewish education. Sababa Beachaway, a co-ed residential summer camp in Virginia Beach, is where spirituality and tradition intersect to empower teens and tweens. Their conversation with David Bryfman takes you into a day in the life of a Sababa participant, and even leads listeners in a short breathing meditation! You might think th...

Starting from kindergarten, how do we as educators connect Jewish tradition to where children are developmentally?    This week on Adapting, David Bryfman speaks with Rachel Happel, an experiential Jewish educator who is leading a Jewish learning revolution through unconventional programs. With the use of Jewish Learning Guides, "learning spaces" (a term used instead of classrooms), and...