Navigating Israel education in times of conflict

January 13-14, 2025 • Lipa Green Centre • Toronto, Canada

An Unpacked for Educators conference, featuring:

Dr. Noam Weissman

Sarah Gordon

Sarah
Gordon

Avi Posen

Avi
Posen

Jonathan Golden

Dr. Jonathan Golden

Tamara Rebick

Tamara Rebick

Dr. Daniel Held

Join fellow educators at a not-to-be-missed Unpacked for Educators conference in Toronto this January, in partnership with the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto.

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 Toronto to provide middle and high 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 the Maimonides Fund and UJA Federation of Greater Toronto.

Event schedule

January 13-14 2025
8:00 am – 3:30 pm

Lipa Green Centre
4600 Bathurst St
North York, ON M2R 3V3

FULL SCHEDULE COMING SOON

Monday, January 13th Day 1
8:00am - 9:00am Conference welcome and breakfast
9:00am - 9:15am Welcome remarks and opening activity Avi Posen and Sarah Gordon
9:15am - 10:15am Opening panel
Israel education: Where we were and where we are going Dr. Noam Weissman & Dr. Daniel Held
10:30am - 11:30am

Israel education for today’s generation (2 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
Moderator: Avi Posen Presenter: Dr. Noam Weissman Respondents: Hillel Rapp (Bnei Akiva Schools), Renee Cohen (Tanenbaum CHAT), Benjy Cohen (Head of School, Bialik Hebrew Day School), Benjy Cohen (Bialik Hebrew Day School).

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?

11:45am - 12:45pm

Teaching Israel (3 sessions available)

The Top 5 moments in Israeli history 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.

Helping our learners develop deep and meaningful relationships with Israel with all of its complexities
Dvora Goodman, The iCenter

An important goal in Jewish education is to help our learners foster a deep connection and commitment to Israel and the Jewish people. To achieve this goal we need to find the balance between instilling a love of Israel with acknowledging and exploring Israel’s many complexities; this forms the basis for a deep and meaningful relationship with Israel. This session will draw on the iCenter’s experience with teaching about the Arab/Palestinian-Israeli conflict and explore how we can teach about the conflict in a way that contributes to - and not detracts from - deepening our learners’ ongoing relationship with Israel.

Connecting young people to Israel today: Introducing the “Israel 101” curriculum
Avi Posen

Learn about UED’s exciting new curriculum “Israel 101”, a series of videos and lesson plans connecting young people to Israel and the Jewish people by providing them with a broader, more nuanced understanding of Israel and the complexity of the Israeli experience. Students will engage with essential questions such as “Are the Jewish people indigenous to the land of Israel?”, “How does Israel balance its Jewish and democratic identities?”, and “How does the resilience of Israelis help them stay positive while navigating challenges?”. This session will highlight key elements of the curriculum and how to practically use it in the classroom.

12:45pm - 1:45pm LUNCH
2:00pm - 3:00pm

Implementing Israel Education at your schools (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.

Teaching Zionism to elementary students: Introducing Unpacked Junior
Yoni Buckman

For elementary school teachers

3:00pm - 3:30pm Reflection and application
CLOSING
4:30pm - 5:45pm

ConnectED session

Engaging people in conversations around Israel
Yoni Buckman

In many educational settings, Israel is often viewed as a divisive topic, presenting unique challenges for educators. This session will provide practical tools and strategies for introducing Israel in complex environments, addressing scenarios with both colleagues and students, navigating difficult conversations, and effectively educating about antisemitism.

This session is geared for independent and public school educators, though all are welcome.

Tuesday, January 14th Day 2
8:00am - 8:45am Conference welcome and breakfast
8:45am - 9:00am Welcome remarks and opening activity Avi Posen and Sarah Gordon
9:15am - 10:15am

Teaching Israel (2 sessions available)

Scholarly Insights from the Field: How Day School Educators Teach about Israel
Dr. Benji Davis

In this session, we will explore insights from recent research on how twenty Israel educators from Jewish high schools across the denominational spectrum approach the teaching of modern Israel. Our focus will be on why and how they incorporate both Zionist and Palestinian perspectives, seek to deepen students' Jewish identities through the study of Israel, and prepare students — through education rather than advocacy — to engage, lead, and/or understand the 'Israel conversation' on campus.

Session for Congregational and Supplementary Schools: Teaching the current moment with Heart/Head/Hand
Dr. Jonathan Golden

This session will explore ways the Israel education paradigm of using the heart (feelings), head (questions), and hand (actions) can help in addressing the current moment with our students.

10:30am - 11:30am

Practical units for the classroom (3 sessions available)

Dos and Don’ts of teaching the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Alex Harris

This session explores some of the most common challenges educators face when teaching the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and offers several practical tools to mitigate each one.

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 7
Avi Posen

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.

11:45am - 12:45am

Practical units for the classroom (3 sessions available)

Dos and Don’ts of teaching the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Alex Harris

This session explores some of the most common challenges educators face when teaching the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and offers several practical tools to mitigate each one.

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 7
Avi Posen

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.

12:45pm - 1:45pm LUNCH
2:00pm - 3:00pm

A holistic approach to Israel education

Panel discussion with Dr. Jonathan Golden & Tamara Rebick
This panel will address the different ways successful schools educate about Israel and practical ways move from a siloed to a holistic approach to Israel education.

3:00pm - 3:30pm Reflection and application
CLOSING

Pricing

Please note: travel and overnight accommodation are not included.

Conference pass
January 13-14 2025

$150 FREE
through December 31

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

Picture of Dr. Daniel Held

Dr. Daniel Held

Dr. Daniel Held is the Executive Director of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto’s Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Education, which builds the capacity of Toronto's system of Jewish education. He has a wide range of experience in strategic philanthropy, conducting research and evaluation to maximize funders’ impact in Jewish education. Daniel holds a doctorate in education from JTS’s Davidson School of Education and is an alumnus of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship.

Picture of Tamara Rebick

Tamara Rebick

Tamara is the Founder and Chief Experience Officer (CXO) of CORIPHERY Holistic Consulting Solutions. She advises leaders on engagement, program optimization, strategic planning, and organizational culture. Tamara has been engaging peers and learners in Israel education since she was a teen leader, and is particularly passionate about helping educators foster authentic, nuanced and lasting connections with Israel. Tamara served as the inaugural Director of Israel Engagement at TanenbaumCHAT, and has been a featured presenter and subject matter expert at conferences and training workshops across 5 continents. She has worked closely with Jewish day and congregational schools, youth movements, synagogues, summer camps, Hillels, Federations and foundations. Tamara has a M.Ed in Adult Education and Community Development from OISE/University of Toronto with a focus on Workplace Learning & Change, a certificate in Experiential Jewish Education from Yeshiva University, and various certificates in systems that advance positive community impact.

Picture of Dr. Benji Davis

Dr. Benji Davis

Dr. Benji Davis is the Israel Institute Teaching and Research Fellow at George Mason University. An American-born Israeli educator and scholar, Benji’s research is at the forefront of academic discourse on the philosophy and pedagogy of Israel education. A fellow at the Center for Jewish Peoplehood Education and a member of the Birthright Israel Education Committee, Benji was honored with the 2024 Harold Wechsler Award for Emerging Scholars by the Network for Research in Jewish Education (NRJE). He holds a PhD in Education from the University of Haifa and recently relocated with his family from Jerusalem to the Washington, DC area with his wife Rachel (originally from Toronto!) and three daughters Maia, Ella, and Lia for a three-year fellowship in teaching and researching Israel Studies.

Picture of Dr. Jonathan Golden

Dr. Jonathan Golden

Dr. Jonathan Golden is the founder of HeartStance Education Consulting. He teaches for Hebrew College and the Shalom Hartman Institute where he served as the first Director of Wellspring Leadership Initiatives.. Previously he served as the Israel Curriculum Coordinator and a history teacher at Gann Academy, a pluralistic Jewish high school in Waltham, MA where he taught from 1999-2023 . During his career at Gann, he has taught AP American History, chaired the History Department, served as Assistant Head of School and Director of Academic Operations, and mentored numerous teachers and department chair. He teaches adult education courses on contemporary Israel at synagogues and homes in the Greater Boston area and is a Community Representative of JCRC Boston.

Picture of Hillel Rapp

Hillel Rapp

Hillel Rapp is the Principal of Bnei Akiva Schools with an extensive background in both Jewish education and finance. Previously in education, Mr. Rapp was the Dean of Students at Ramaz Upper School where he oversaw co-curricular programming featuring more than 80 after-school activities. He also designed curricula and taught courses in Economics, Business, History and Philosophy. In finance, Mr. Rapp managed business development and investor relations, specializing in hedge fund and private equity investments, at Dunbar Capital Management in New York City and Exigent Alternative Capital in Israel. Mr. Rapp holds a B.A. in Psychology from Yeshiva University where he also worked as a Project Manager for YU’s Center for the Jewish Future. He writes frequently on Jewish education at JED Notebook which can be found at hillelrapp.substack.com.

Picture of Dr. Noam Weissman

Dr. Noam Weissman

Dr. Noam Weissman is Executive Vice President at OpenDor Media. He leads the education vision and implementation 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.

Picture of Avi Posen

Avi Posen

Avi Posen is the Senior Director of Israel Education – EMEA at Unpacked for Educators, a division of OpenDor Media. His focus is on curriculum building and training Jewish educators around the world on Israel education. Avi has worked as a Judaic Studies teacher, Hillel director and Jewish camp director. He holds a Master's in Jewish Education from Yeshiva University in New York and is currently living in Memphis, Tennesee, where his wife Illana is doing her medical residency.

Picture of Sarah Gordon

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 master's 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.

Picture of Alex Harris

Alex Harris

Alex Harris is an Education Associate — 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.

Picture of Yoni Buckman

Yoni Buckman

Yoni Buckman is an 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.

Picture of Renee Cohen

Renee Cohen

Renee Cohen is the Principal at TanenbaumCHAT, the largest Jewish community high school in North America. With over 20 years at TanenbaumCHAT, Renee brings a dedicated focus on Israel engagement, 21st-century learning, academic excellence, curricular innovation, community partnerships, and tikkun olam. Her commitment to Jewish education, continuous professional learning, and fostering a deep sense of Jewish pride and commitment in students is unwavering.

This past February, Renee led a delegation of students and staff on the inaugural TanenbaumCHAT Solidarity Chesed Mission to Israel. The mission was an immersive and powerful experience and focused on engaging with the people of Israel, and on volunteering to help those in need and those directly impacted by October 7.

With her expertise and passion, Renee remains steadfast in leading TanenbaumCHAT educators in carrying out the school’s mission to challenge, prepare, and support students to live lives of high moral character, intellectual curiosity, Jewish commitment, and civic duty.

Picture of Benjy Cohen

Benjy Cohen

Benjy Cohen has dedicated his professional life to Jewish education, serving for the past eight years as Head of School of Bialik Hebrew Day School. He joined Bailik in 2006 after many years of teaching in Israel and educational leadership in the US, first as the Principal of General Studies, and soon taking on the role of Principal of Bialik’s Viewmount Branch. Under his leadership, Bialik has grown into the largest Jewish day school in Canada, educating over 1,540 students at its two branches in midtown Toronto and in Vaughan. His strong commitment to academic excellence is evident in Bialik’s outstanding General and Jewish Studies and Israel education programs, including its innovative, experiential approach to STEM and environmental learning. Benjy spearheaded the short-term admission to Bialik of 100 Israeli students who sought a safe haven in Canada after October 7, 2023. He has also championed the value of day-school accessibility and affordability and established the Bialik Endowment, to create long-term financial stability for the school.

Picture of Dvora Goodman

Dvora Goodman

Dvora Goodman is a consultant with The iCenter, working with educators from a variety of educational settings including Jewish day schools, summer camps, and Hillels. Dvora also consults for other educational organizations in the Toronto area and across North America.

This event is in partnership with

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