Adapting: The Future of Jewish Education

• In Defense of Rest: The Importance (and Jewishness) of Taking a Break

  Sabbaticals, break weeks, and paid vacation, oh my! For many, the idea of taking a break from work is daunting. With the disruption in the work environment, how will anything get done? As he prepares his own upcoming sabbatical, David Bryfman discusses the role that rest plays in the workplace with Josh Feldman, CEO and founder of R&R: The Rest of our Lives.In a time marked by burnout and uncertainty, especially in the nonprofit world, stepping back is more necessary than ever. Josh suggests that it isn’t productive to be productive all of the time; a runner doesn’t sprint for a whole race, they have disciplined places of sprint, of walk, and of stillness. How can we incorporate stillness into our work? Furthermore, Josh reminds the audience of the Jewishness of rest, and how we can be inspired by the Sabbath and the shmita year. David and Josh challenge the audience to think about when work gets done, and when it doesn’t.  This episode was produced by Dina Nusnbaum and Miranda Lapides. The show’s executive producers are David Bryfman, Karen Cummins, and Nessa Liben. This episode was engineered and edited by Nathan J. Vaughan of NJV Media. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a 5-star rating and review, or even better, share it with a friend. Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and be the first to know when new episodes are released. To learn more about The Jewish Education Project visit jewishedproject.org where you can find links to our Jewish Educator Portal and learn more about our mission, history, and staff. We are a proud partner of UJA-Federation of New York. 

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• Inside America's First Classical Jewish Prep School

  Imagine a classroom where students face each other, rather than the whiteboard, and discuss David Ben-Gurion and Aristotle, while studying Hebrew and Latin. Welcome to Emet, the first classical Jewish prep school in the U.S. Founded in 2023 in New York City, Emet is pioneering a model that integrates Jewish wisdom with academic excellence, offering students an education where Judaism is infused seamlessly into academic subjects, from physical education (Krav Maga), to chemistry. In this thought-provoking conversation with Emet’s founding Head of School, Rabbi Dr. Abraham Unger, learn how academic rigor is raising the bar for its students to build strength and character, inspiring children to become Jewish leaders of the future. This episode was produced by Dina Nusnbaum and Miranda Lapides. The show’s executive producers are David Bryfman, Karen Cummins, and Nessa Liben. This episode was engineered and edited by Nathan J. Vaughan of NJV Media. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a 5-star rating and review, or even better, share it with a friend. Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and be the first to know when new episodes are released. To learn more about The Jewish Education Project visit jewishedproject.org where you can find links to our Jewish Educator Portal and learn more about our mission, history, and staff. We are a proud partner of UJA-Federation of New York. 

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• Educating for Justice: Black-Jewish Solidarity

  In this important episode, David sits down with recipients of the 2024 Shine A Light on Antisemitism Civic Courage Award, Dr. Devin Randolph and Rabbi Dr. Meir Muller. Together, they discuss ways to combat prejudice, racism, and antisemitism by searching for the commonalities in Black and Jewish fights for freedom and liberation.  Dr. Randolph and Rabbi Dr. Muller encourage us to move away from black and white thinking and, instead, be vulnerable with each other, so that our human experiences may educate each other. Particularly in a post-October 7th landscape, the tension that may accompany Jewish education can create space for curiosity, support, and solidarity. Through historical and personal examples, this conversation explores the goal of promoting justice and understanding different perspectives.  This episode was produced by Dina Nusnbaum and Miranda Lapides. The show’s executive producers are David Bryfman, Karen Cummins, and Nessa Liben. This episode was engineered and edited by Nathan J. Vaughan of NJV Media. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a 5-star rating and review, or even better, share it with a friend. Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and be the first to know when new episodes are released. To learn more about The Jewish Education Project visit jewishedproject.org where you can find links to our Jewish Educator Portal and learn more about our mission, history, and staff. We are a proud partner of UJA-Federation of New York. 

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• Breaking the Barriers to Israel Education

  This week on Adapting, David sits down with Dr. Keren Fraiman, Dean of Spertus Institute and winner of the prestigious Ilia Salita Excellence in Research Award, for an essential conversation on why Israel must be front and center in our classrooms—now more than ever. While many Jewish educators recognize the importance of teaching about Israel, research shows that fear of controversy and complexity often leads to hesitation.  In this compelling episode, Keren dives into why it is crucial for educators to embrace the discomfort and navigate these complex discussions with confidence. She also shares practical strategies for managing conflict in the classroom and highlights the power of creating a permissive, supportive environment to hold space for all the complexities these conversations hold. With Israel-related issues impacting our students daily, Keren emphasizes the need for educators to lean on each other and build spaces that allow for honest, open dialogue—no matter how challenging it may feel. The need for Israel education is urgent. Let’s not shy away from it.  This episode was produced by Dina Nusnbaum and Miranda Lapides. The show’s executive producers are David Bryfman, Karen Cummins, and Nessa Liben. This episode was engineered and edited by Nathan J. Vaughan of NJV Media. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a 5-star rating and review, or even better, share it with a friend. Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and be the first to know when new episodes are released. To learn more about The Jewish Education Project visit jewishedproject.org where you can find links to our Jewish Educator Portal and learn more about our mission, history, and staff. We are a proud partner of UJA-Federation of New York. 

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• Strengthening Jewish Identity Through Israel-Centered Education

  In this special Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzma’ut episode, David sits down with Adam Eilath, Head of School at Wornick Jewish Day School in the Bay Area, to explore the empowering integration of Jewish, Hebrew, and Israel education.  As we commemorate these powerful national holidays, Adam shares how centering Israel in Jewish life and education has successfully inspired stronger Jewish identities and has built vibrant, resilient communities. Through methods like partnering with Israeli educators, creating intentional learning experiences that connect parents to their children’s educational journeys, and designing programs that commemorate Israeli history and culture with emotional impact, Jewish day schools can nurture a deep love for Israel that serves as a model for other schools. This episode was produced by Dina Nusnbaum and Miranda Lapides. The show’s executive producers are David Bryfman, Karen Cummins, and Nessa Liben. This episode was engineered and edited by Nathan J. Vaughan of NJV Media. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a 5-star rating and review, or even better, share it with a friend. Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and be the first to know when new episodes are released. To learn more about The Jewish Education Project visit jewishedproject.org where you can find links to our Jewish Educator Portal and learn more about our mission, history, and staff. We are a proud partner of UJA-Federation of New York. 

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