Navigating Israel education in times of conflict
November 11-12, 2024 • SAR High School • The Bronx, NY
An Unpacked for Educators and Machon Siach conference, featuring:
Rabbi Tully Harcsztark
Dr. Noam Weissman
Sarah
Gordon
Rebecca
Wolf
Dr. Benji
Davis
Join fellow tri-state area educators at a not-to-be-missed Unpacked for Educators conference in NY this November, in partnership with SAR and Machon Siach.
About the conference
In these unprecedented times post-October 7, educators have encountered countless challenges in and out of the classroom regarding Israel education.
Unpacked for Educators is coming to NY to provide middle and high school day school educators with essential theoretical and practical tools to bring education about Israel and Zionism to life for their students.
Participants will learn specific ways to integrate the teaching of Israel and Zionism into their curricula as well as how to address the big questions surrounding Israel, current events, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This conference was made possible through generous support of Machon Siach, SAR, and Maimonides.
Event schedule
November 11-12, 2024
8:00 am – 3:30 pm
SAR High School
503 W 259th St, Bronx, NY, 10471
FULL SCHEDULE COMING SOON
| Monday, November 11th | Day 1 |
| 8:00am - 8:45am | Conference welcome and breakfast |
| 8:45am - 9:00am | Welcome remarks and opening activity Sarah Gordon and Rebecca Wolf |
| 9:00am - 10:00am |
Opening panel
Israel education: Where we were and where we are going Rabbi Tully Harcsztark & Dr. Noam Weissman |
| 10:15am - 11:15pm |
Israel education for today’s generation (3 sessions available) Israel education for today’s generation
Alex Harris
This session outlines the Unpacked for Educators’ vision for Israel education, the importance of introducing nuance and diversity of perspective into discussions about Israel, and the need for a shift from advocacy to education. In this interactive session, participants will discuss and debate what paradigm shifts are needed in Israel Education today. Recommended for educators new to this approach to Israel education. Indoctrination, inoculation, or education: Navigating this question as schools with Zionist mission statements and goals
Presenter: Dr. Noam Weissman
Respondents: Bracha Rutner (YUHSG), Rabbi Binyamin Krauss (SAR academy)
What is the purpose of Israel education in schools with Zionist missions? How can we balance the promotion of critical thinking and open inquiry with the goal of graduating students who are proud Zionists? To what extent should we engage with differing narratives about Israel in our classrooms? Are we educating to inoculate or to indoctrinate—and what do our students need to face the challenges of today’s world? School leadership post October 7th.
Session/Round table for principals and heads of school. |
| 11:30am - 12:30pm |
Teaching Israel and Zionism (2 sessions available) The Top 5 Zionist moments all our students should know
Sarah Gordon
One of the most important tools in Israel education today is ensuring our students have a strong sense of cultural literacy around Israel and Zionism. This session will highlight five key moments in Zionist history that our students should know, discuss why each event is so crucial to learn, and share practical tips on how educators can use UED resources to teach these moments in their classrooms. Session on religious Zionism
Details TBD |
| 12:30pm - 1:15pm | LUNCH |
| 1:15pm - 2:30pm |
Workshops: Integrating Israel education into your school (2 sessions available) Developing a “canon for Israel education” for your school
Workshop with Sarah Gordon and Alex Harris
In a recent article, Dr. David Bryfman advocates for schools to develop “a canon for Israel education”, a list of fundamental texts and awarenesses that young people need to have about Israel. In this workshop, educators will think about what core texts and ideas they want their graduates to leave with, building out their own canons for Israel education unique for their school communities. This session will also discuss different ways to integrate this canon into their school curriculum. Aligning with Israel standards and benchmarks: How to best plan your lessons and units
A workshop with Dr. Tal Grinfas-David
Are your graduates ready to have informed conversations about modern Israel? We will examine how to align your curriculum so that you can identify where your program meets students' needs, where it has gaps, and how you can use standards and benchmarks to creatively fill those. Participants will come away with a full set of enduring understandings, essential questions, and guiding concepts that promote a deep, thoughtful and rigorous framework for exploring Israel. Collaboratively, we will come up with some of the best resources to tackle the lessons that don't yet exist at your school! |
| 2:45pm - 3:30pm | Reflection and application
CLOSING |
| 3:30pm - 4:30pm | Teaching Zionism to elementary students: Introducing Unpacked Junior For elementary school teachers at SAR academy, with Yoni Buckman |
| Tuesday, November 12th | Day 2 |
| 8:00am - 8:45am | Conference welcome and breakfast |
| 8:45am - 9:00am | Welcome remarks and opening activity Sarah Gordon and Rebecca Wolf |
| 9:00am - 10:00am |
(3 sessions available) Creating a holistic approach to teaching Israel
Rebecca Wolf and Marc Wolf
Details TBD Scholarly insights from the field: How day school educators teach about Israel
Dr. Benji Davis
Details TBD Session for congregational schools and experiential educators
Dr. Samantha Vinokaur-Meinrath
Details TBD |
| 10:15am - 11:15am |
(4 sessions available) Modeling difficult conversations around Israel in the classroom
Adina Shoulson
In today’s polarized climate, discussing Israel in the classroom can be challenging. This session offers best practices for fostering an environment where students can engage in these difficult conversations, learn to disagree respectfully, and appreciate diverse perspectives. Unpacking difficult questions with your students: Apartheid and occupation
Alex Harris
This session will delve into some of the biggest questions facing Israel today: Is Israel an apartheid state? Is the IDF an occupying power? We will unpack each topic while leaning into the complexity and nuance of each issue, developing a model that can be used with students to analyze other challenging questions around Israel. Unpacking the war and navigating Israeli current events
Sarah Gordon
Israel’s history is an ongoing saga that continues to capture the attention of the world. Current events in Israel are complicated and this session takes the most pressing issues taking place in Israel and unpacks the history, context and the wide contours of dispute surrounding the issue. Using music to teach about October 7th
Yoni Buckman
What does Israeli music released since Oct. 7th teach us about Israeli society and what it’s going through right now? This session will lead educators through a model lesson using Israeli music to connect students to Israel in a practical, meaningful and engaging way. |
| 11:30am - 12:30pm |
Educator presentations and panels (4 sessions available) Teaching Israel to middle schoolers: Challenges and opportunities
Panel: Ayala Raice (SAR academy), Rena Rosen (Leffell), Esther Tokayer (Barkai)
In this session we will approach the unique challenges and opportunities of teaching Israel to middle school students, including how to address topics in an age appropriate way, and creative ways to integrate Israel in the middle school curriculum. Terror in the eye of the beholder: Exploring moral complexity in Israeli history
Henny Bochner (Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School)
How do we teach about and make sense of acts of terror that are perpetrated by Jews, as opposed to scenarios where Jews are the victims? This session will explore how to teach about morally complex topics in Israeli history (Lehi, Baruch Goldstein), and how to connect these ideas to how we teach about current events. Session TBD
Noa Kolomer and Rabbi Meirav Kallush (Golda Och Academy)
Details TBD Session TBD
Yaelle Frohlich (Yeshivat Frisch)
Details TBD |
| 12:30pm - 1:30pm | LUNCH |
| 1:30pm - 2:30pm |
(4 sessions available) Modeling difficult conversations around Israel in the classroom
Adina Shoulson
In today’s polarized climate, discussing Israel in the classroom can be challenging. This session offers best practices for fostering an environment where students can engage in these difficult conversations, learn to disagree respectfully, and appreciate diverse perspectives. Unpacking difficult questions with your students: Apartheid and Occupation
Alex Harris
This session will delve into some of the biggest questions facing Israel today: Is Israel an apartheid state? Is the IDF an occupying power? We will unpack each topic while leaning into the complexity and nuance of each issue, developing a model that can be used with students to analyze other challenging questions around Israel. Unpacking the war and navigating Israeli current events
Sarah Gordon
Israel’s history is an ongoing saga that continues to capture the attention of the world. Current events in Israel are complicated and this session takes the most pressing issues taking place in Israel and unpacks the history, context and the wide contours of dispute surrounding the issue. The best way to engage with Israel in a meaningful way is to be part of the conversation. Using music to teach about October 7th
Yoni Buckman
What does Israeli music released since Oct. 7th teach us about Israeli society and what it’s going through right now? This session will lead educators through a model lesson using Israeli music to connect students to Israel in a practical, meaningful and engaging way. |
| 2:45pm - 3:30pm | Reflection and application
CLOSING |
Pricing
Please note: travel and overnight accommodation are not included.
Conference pass - early bird special
November 11-12, 2024
$150 $125
through October 15
Your conference pass includes admission to the two-day conference, breakfast and lunch on both days, access to all social events, and swag.
Conference pass
November 11-12, 2024
$150
through November 5
Your conference pass includes admission to the two-day conference, breakfast and lunch on both days, access to all social events, and swag.
Location
Parking lot available.
Breakfast and lunch included (kosher certified).
Speakers
Rabbi Tully Harcsztark
Rabbi Harcsztark is the Founding Principal of SAR High School and Dean of Machon Siach honoring the memory of Belda Kaufman Lindenbaum z”l, a research arm of SAR High School. He previously served as Rabbi of Congregation Keter Torah in Teaneck, New Jersey, and as the Associate Principal of Judaic Studies at SAR Academy. He was a Fellow at the Tikvah Center for Law and Jewish Civilization at NYU Law School in 2010-11. He is the recipient of the 2017 Covenant Award for Excellence in Jewish Education.
Dr. Noam Weissman
Dr. Noam Weissman is an Executive Vice President at OpenDor Media. He leads the education vision and implementation at OpenDor Media with a special focus on the development of meaningful content and resources for students and educators. He holds a doctorate in educational psychology from USC with a focus on curriculum design. Noam is the host of the popular Unpacking Israeli History podcast and co-host of the Wondering Jews podcast with Dr. Mijal Bitton.
Sarah Gordon
Sarah Gordon is the Senior Director of Israel Education – AMER at Unpacked for Educators, a division of OpenDor Media. Previously, Sarah served as the Director of Israel Guidance and Experiential Education at Ma’ayanot High School, where she taught Talmud, and chaired a course on Contemporary Israel. Sarah holds dual masters degrees in Jewish Education and Modern Jewish History from Yeshiva University, where she is currently pursuing her Ed.D as a Wexner Fellow and Davidson Scholar.
Yoni Buckman
Yoni Buckman is the Education Associate at OpenDor Media. He has been instrumental in designing interdisciplinary curricula and spearheading educational initiatives across Jewish organizations and congregations in Washington, DC, Newton, MA, and Denver, CO. Yoni is a lifelong learner dedicated to cultivating curiosity, fostering inclusive learning environments, and integrating meaningful content into the education landscape.
Alex Harris
Alex Harris is an Education Associate at AMER for Unpacked for Educators, a division of OpenDor Media. Previously he focused on conflict education at The iCenter for Israel Education. He has a Master’s in Education and Human Development from George Washington University, a Bachelor’s in Judaic Studies and International Studies from the University of Michigan, and semicha from Rabbi Brovender.
Dr. Benji Davis
Benji Davis, the founder and director of IMPACT Israel Education, is an American-born Israeli educator, scholar, and speaker specializing in Israel education. He and his team are experts in providing Israel education experiences to Jewish teens and young adults on short- and long-term Israel programs as well as developing asynchronous and hybrid online Israel education content. The recipient of the Network for Research in Jewish Education’s (NRJE) 2024 Harold Wechsler Award for Emerging Scholars, Benji’s scholarly work has been published in the Journal of Jewish Education and Contemporary Jewry. Benji holds a BA in Middle East Studies & History (Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kapp) from the George Washington University, an MA in Jewish Education from the Hebrew University, and recently submitted his PhD dissertation (University of Haifa), which developed a theory of pedagogical content knowledge for the field of Israel education. In August 2024, he will begin a post-doctoral fellowship in Israel Studies at George Mason University, where he will live in Potomac, MD with his wife Rachel and daughters Maia, Ella and Lia.
Rebecca Wolf
Rebecca Boim Wolf serves as Coordinator for Israel Education and teaches history at SAR High School in the Bronx, NY, a modern Orthodox Jewish day school. Rebecca’s courses include European History, United States History, and Modern Israel. Rebecca received her BA from Barnard college where she majored in American History and Jewish History. She earned her MA at New York University where she again studied American and Jewish History. Rebecca lives in White Plains, NY with her husband and three children.
Dr. Samantha Vinokor-Meinrath
Dr. Samantha Vinokor-Meinrath is a lifelong Jewish educator and learner. She is the Senior Director of Knowledge, Ideas and Learning at The Jewish Education Project, and is a recognized expert on antisemitism, Jewish identity, and Israel education. Samantha is the author of #antisemitism: Coming of Age During the Resurgence of Hate, a 2022 finalist for the National Jewish Book Award in the category of Education + Jewish Identity. Samantha is an alumna of the University of Pittsburgh, the Jewish Education Project, and Gratz College. She lives in Westchester with her husband, son, and two beloved rescue dogs.
Ms. Adina Shoulson
Adina Shoulson serves as the SAR High School History Department Chair and has helped develop the 9th and 10th grade World Jewish History curriculum as well as the 12th grade Modern Israel curriculum. Ms. Shoulson received her B.A. with honors from Columbia University with a major in Religious Studies and a concentration in Psychology. She earned her M.Phil at New York University in Modern Jewish History. Adina lives in White Plains, NY.
Marc Wolf
Marc Wolf is the Chief Program and Strategy Officer for Prizmah. He is a proud day school parent and spouse and has dedicated his career to the importance of Jewish education. Furthering his passion for data and knowledge, at Prizmah, Marc is responsible for measuring the impact of Prizmah programs and services which includes knowledge management and internal program learning. Previously Marc served as vice president, east coast at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America and has also held several leadership roles at the Jewish Theological Seminary, including vice chancellor, director of community engagement, and chief development officer where he received an MA and rabbinic ordination.
Henny Bochner
Henny Bochner is the Director of Educational Advancement at the Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School, and has been teaching Jewish History, Psychology, and Biology there for the last 13 years. Henny received her BA in Psychology (Neuroscience) from Yeshiva University's Stern College, and a MA in Jewish History from the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies. Henny is completing her doctorate in education and administration at Yeshiva University’s Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education & Administration, and is working on a dissertation that explores Israel Education in Modern Orthodox Yeshiva High Schools. She lives with her husband and four children in Springfield, NJ.
Ayala Raice
As Middle School Director of Curriculum and Instruction at SAR academy, Ayala Raice develops meaningful educational initiatives that deepen individual and communal learning. Over the last 11 years, she has particularly focused on expanding the middle school curriculum on Israeli history, culture, and ideologies. Through her efforts, Ayala works to teach the complexities of Israel's statehood with a deep love and commitment to Am Yisrael, Eretz Yisrael, and Medinat Yisrael.
Rena Sichel Rosen
Rena Sichel Rosen is the Middle School Assistant Principal at the Leffell School in Hartsdale, where she teaches Israel Studies and Modern Israeli History in the middle and high school. In addition to developing curricula for these courses, she works throughout the year to integrate Ahavat Yisrael into classroom learning and experiential programming, culminating in Derech l’Lev, the two-week 8th grade Israel trip that she directs. Ms. Rosen holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MS in Historic Preservation from Columbia University. She is a candidate for an MA in The iCenter Graduate Program in Israel Education at The George Washington University.
Rabbi Binyamin Krauss
Since 2005, Rabbi Krauss has served as the Principal of SAR Academy, where he leads a
diverse community of over 1,000 students and 250 staff members. Prior to his work at SAR, he
held the position of Vice President at The Ronald S. Lauder Foundation from 1999 to 2005,
where he established schools and educational programs for Jewish students in Eastern and
Central Europe. During this time, Rabbi Krauss also served as a professor of Talmud at the
University of Heidelberg.
Rabbi Krauss was named to the 2022 Faith Power 100 list, highlighting New York's most
impactful religious leaders. In 2023, he was appointed to Mayor Eric Adams' Jewish Advisory
Council and recently became a member of the Mayor’s Anti-Semitism Task Force. His civic
involvement also extends to serving as a Board Member of the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance and
being an Advisory Board member for the Shalom Hartman Institute Ordination Pilot Program. He
was recently appointed to the Board of Trustees of Atmosphere Academy Public Charter
Schools.
Rabbi Krauss holds a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Yeshiva University and received
Rabbinic Ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. Fluent in German,
Russian, and Hebrew, Rabbi Krauss resides in Yonkers, NY, with his wife, Shana, and their five
children.
Esther Tokayer
Esther Tokayer is a passionate and creative educator who has impacted the lives of thousands of members of the Sephardic community in Brooklyn for over three decades. She is currently the founding Associate Principal of Barkai Yeshivah High School, which opened in September 2023. There she teaches a leadership course that focuses on decision making in the founding of the State of Israel, Halakhah and Mishnah.
She served as Associate Principal of Magen David Yeshivah High School for the last 22 years. She began her career at MDYHS as a History and Tanakh teacher before being appointed Assistant Principal. Her educational philosophy encourages students to be creative and engage with the world, and to develop leadership and communication skills to benefit themselves, the community and the greater society.
She is the Rebbetzin of Kingsway Jewish Center in Brooklyn, NY and is married to Rabbi Etan Tokayer. She is the proud mom of three children.
Dr. Tal Grinfas-David
Dr. Tal Grinfas-David is the former Vice President of the Center for Israel Education (CIE), with over 30 years of experience in the field of education in Israel and North America. Today, she heads TGDConsulting LLC and serves as a consultant for special projects at CIE. In July 2011, she became the Elementary School Principal of the Epstein School in
Atlanta, GA. She earned her doctorate from Capella University in 2011 in Curriculum
and Instruction, an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Administration from the
University of Portland in 2006 with honors, a Bachelors of Education in the Advanced
Teaching Certification Program focusing on English as second language at Beit Berl
Teacher Education College, Kfar Saba, Israel from 1997-1999, and a B.A. from Boston
University in 1995. She is certified in differentiated instruction and in Talented and Gifted
education (TAG). She is a published author of articles and curricula and is a guest speaker for universities and academic institutions.
She served as Associate Principal of Magen David Yeshivah High School for the last 22 years. She began her career at MDYHS as a History and Tanakh teacher before being appointed Assistant Principal. Her educational philosophy encourages students to be creative and engage with the world, and to develop leadership and communication skills to benefit themselves, the community and the greater society.
She is the Rebbetzin of Kingsway Jewish Center in Brooklyn, NY and is married to Rabbi Etan Tokayer. She is the proud mom of three children.
Ms. Bracha Rutner
Ms. Bracha Rutner is the passionate Head of School at Central/YUHSG and is a devoted Gemara teacher. She hopes to inspire her students to share in her love for Torah, Halacha and dedication to the Jewish community and Israel. Ms. Rutner also serves as the Yoetzet Halacha at the Kemp Mill Synagogue in Silver Spring, MD, combining her passion for helping others and her commitment to Halacha. As a graduate of Stern College for Women and Nishmat’s Keren Ariel Women’s Halachic Institute in Jerusalem, with a master’s degree in Education Administration from St. John’s University, and having done graduate work in Talmud from Hebrew University, she is devoted to educating the next generation of young women. She led Central in pursuit of NYSAIS accreditation, working with YU leadership, parents, and key school constituents to raise our learning level to new heights. Ms. Rutner is currently pursuing her EdD in the Azrieli Doctoral Program for Administration. She and her husband are educating and bringing up four children in West Hempstead, NY.
