Students explore a meaningful Jewish life
It was about students moving forward, looking to the future, advancing their learning and exploring what it means to live a meaningful Jewish life.
Over 250 students from year 11 and 12 attended this year’s Scopus Kadimah Conference at Monash University’s Caulfield campus.
It was about students moving forward, looking to the future, advancing their learning and exploring what it means to live a meaningful Jewish life.
The two-day conference brought together local and international speakers who shared sessions and perspectives on Jewish life and learning, Israel, the Shoah, philosophy, prayer and spirituality, contemporary challenges including the rise in antisemitism, innovation, social action and more.
Keynote speakers included Josh Frydenberg and Amanda Miller, while inspiring international presenters Avi Posen, Rabbi Dr Daniel Rose, Shira Cooper-Kfir and Rav Yoni Rosensweig spoke on topics as diverse as “Unpacking antisemitism on social media during a time of war”, “How can we use halachah to fight stigma in mental health”, and “Understanding the Jewish approach to relationships and intimacy”.
Students then chose from 50 different sessions run by over 30 local community leaders and educators on a vast array of topics including A fearless approach to Jewish leadership, How to write a Sefer Torah, and Finding G-d in hip hop and jazz.
Rob Miller, head of co-curricular Jewish education explained the Kadimah is a hallmark of the Informal Jewish Education Program at Mount Scopus.
“The theme of the conference is How to be Jewish,” he said.
“The aim is to expand on the education the students have received regarding the question of why be Jewish, and explore the relevant challenges, issues and questions relating to the reality of living an engaged and meaningful Jewish life.”
The conference is designed to achieve this by showcasing a combination of knowledge, skills and values-based sessions, and exposing students to an exciting range of speakers and educators.
The organisation of sessions into these three separate categories allows for various ‘tracks’ to emerge within the structures and enables students to tailor their own conference experience to meet their personal interests and needs.
Year 12 student Jeremy Borsky said, “The conference inspired me to think deeply about my Jewish identity and future, with powerful sessions on the rise in antisemitism and the intersection of halachah and mental health.
Miller explained, “The structure of the conference provides an incredible opportunity for us to expose students to the vibrancy and richness of the Jewish world beyond what they already know, and to showcase a breadth and depth of Jewish ideas.
“Kadimah is a formative educational experience that leaves a lasting impression on our students at a time when they are making important life decisions and developing fundamental aspects of their personal Jewish identity.”
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