Nitty-gritty at educator’s conference
JEWISH educators will be given the chance to pursue professional and personal development at the Australian Jewish Educators Conference next month. Run by the Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA), the biennial event will this year feature iconic Jewish activist and author Rabbi Binyamin Lau, alongside more than 60 local and international presenters.
JEWISH educators will be given the chance to pursue professional and personal development at the Australian Jewish Educators Conference next month.
Run by the Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA), the biennial event will this year feature iconic Jewish activist and author Rabbi Binyamin Lau, alongside more than 60 local and international presenters.
“Teachers are aware that the ZFA’s primary focus at these conferences is on teaching and learning,” explained coordinator Michael Cohen.
“These are not conferences at which academics are afforded the opportunity to present research papers. The stress is on pedagogy – teaching practice – in both formal and informal educational settings. And our children are the beneficiaries,” he said.
More than 80 presentations straddling the theme “Perspectives in Contemporary Jewish Education” are scheduled, covering Hebrew, Jewish studies, Israel advocacy and culture, as well as early childhood education.
Speakers range from principal of Mount Scopus Memorial College Rabbi James Kennard to international guests like Haim Aronovitz from the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School Institute and Hebrew University academic Dan Porat.
“Almost 9000 students are currently enrolled in Australia’s Jewish day schools, and several thousand others enjoy supplemental Jewish education,” explained Cohen of the need for teachers to network and collaborate.
“Given the size of the Jewish community in this country, these numbers are exceptional,” he added.
“The Jewish Educators Conference reflects the close and continuing partnership between the ZFA and the Jewish educational institutions in our community. Together, we work to ensure our shared vision for a vibrant Jewish and Zionist future for Australian Jewry,” remarked ZFA president Philip Chester.
The conference will be held from August 12-13 at Bialik College in Melbourne.
Interstate travellers can organise accommodation deals through the ZFA website.
For more information or to register gor to www.zfa.com.au/inaustralia/educatorsconference/ or call (03) 9272 5618.
AJN STAFF
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