EVENT CALENDAR
- This event has passed.
2023 Atlanta Teacher Kallah
February 19, 2023 - February 20, 2023
Free
Featured Presenter:
Dr. Ron Wolfson
Dr. Ron Wolfson is the Fingerhut Professor of Education at American Jewish University and president of the Kripke Institute. He is the much sought-after consultant and lecturer on building sacred communities in synagogues, schools, community centers, and camps around the world. He earned his Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate from Washington University, as well as a Masters from the University of Judaism. He is the author of: Relational Judaism, The Spirituality of Welcoming, God’s To-Do List, Raising A+ Human Beings: Crafting a Jewish School Culture of Academic Excellence and AP Kindness, and more! Ron is a living kidney donor on behalf of his wife, Susie. He lives in Los Angeles and eats frozen yogurt just about every day.
Creating the Relational Classroom and Becoming a Relational Teacher
“It’s all about relationships!” In this workshop, we will explore we will explore how we practice the art of “relational teaching” through study of the classic Jewish text on welcoming, increasing the “attractiveness” of our classroom, and engaging our partners in raising A+ human beings – parents and grandparents. We will explore the four major threads in the tapestry of a relational Jewish education program: between you and the children, between you and the parents, between the parents and the parents, and between every person and the Jewish experience itself. Oh, and we’ll laugh!
Please see below for descriptions of workshop options for each day.
Virtual Training - Sunday, February 19
Click on photos for presenter bios.
Session One Workshop Options
Dr. Tamar Andrews has been working in the field of Jewish Early Childhood Education for over 30 years. She is a preschool director at Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles and the director of the ECE degree programs at the American Jewish University. She is an international speaker on topics related to early childhood education, and is driven by her passion and crusade to make sure every child has a high quality foundation in life.
Rabbi Andrew Ergas is CEO of Hebrew at the Center. Bringing over twenty-five years of involvement in Jewish education and leadership, Rabbi Andrew Ergas has served as the Executive Director of the Shames JCC on the Hudson and in similar role at the Jewish Community Project Downtown (JCP). Andrew also served for seven years as Head of School at Beit Rabban Day School on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. In the past, he served as Executive Director of the Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA), as a Director of the Union for Reform Judaism’s Youth Division, as a resident and day camp director for both Young Judaea and for JCC’s, and as an organizational management consultant. Andrew was ordained in Jerusalem by the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion and holds master’s degrees in nonprofit management and in Hebrew literature. A graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Education certificate program, Andrew is also a doctoral candidate in education at the Jewish Theological Seminary, with a research focus on Hebrew, identity and pedagogy. A frequent lecturer and writer on Israel and Diaspora relations, Jewish history and effective change management within organizational life, Rabbi Ergas is recognized as a leading speaker and educator in the Jewish community and beyond. He is active in his home congregation and serves in a volunteer capacity as the Board Chair for the Council on Hebrew Language and Culture in North America. Andrew enjoys playing guitar, great movies, and spending time outdoors. Andrew lives in New York with his wife Jennifer and has three young adult sons, Erez, Natan and Ari.
"Dr. Eileen Flicker has been an advocate for children and their families for over 30 years in both Jewish and secular settings. Formally USCJ’s early childhood education specialist,
she currently supports teachers and administrators in early childhood programs and K-12 public schools. Eileen has worked as a teacher, principal, curriculum coordinator, school improvement specialist, professor, educational consultant, and yoga instructor. She is the co-author of Guiding Children’s Behavior: Developmental Discipline in the Classroom (Teachers College Press). Eileen has Master’s Degrees in Early Childhood Education, Educational Psychology, and Developmental Psychology and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University."
she currently supports teachers and administrators in early childhood programs and K-12 public schools. Eileen has worked as a teacher, principal, curriculum coordinator, school improvement specialist, professor, educational consultant, and yoga instructor. She is the co-author of Guiding Children’s Behavior: Developmental Discipline in the Classroom (Teachers College Press). Eileen has Master’s Degrees in Early Childhood Education, Educational Psychology, and Developmental Psychology and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University."
Beverly is a driven builder of communal Jewish learning spaces. She believes that people can make endless meaning from exploring Jewish wisdom and bringing it into our lives in creative ways. Makom Community invites kids and grownups into learning experiences that do just that. Beverly received a B.A. in Jewish Studies from the University of Maryland then received her M.S.Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania in Jewish Education. Beverly was a fellow at Yeshivat Hadar, received the Covenant Foundation Pomegranate Prize, was a Shalom Hartman Created Equal Fellow, and is now in the Mandel Foundation Executive Leadership Program. After running congregational schools in Maryland and New Jersey, working at Barrack Hebrew Academy, and leading Makom Community, she has developed over 100 curricula for learners of all ages. As Beverly continues building community, she is excited to introduce Makom’s pedagogy, Jewish Placemaking, to communities around the country.
Session Two Workshop Options
Dr. Tamar Andrews has been working in the field of Jewish Early Childhood Education for over 30 years. She is a preschool director at Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles and the director of the ECE degree programs at the American Jewish University. She is an international speaker on topics related to early childhood education, and is driven by her passion and crusade to make sure every child has a high quality foundation in life.
Rabbi Andrew Ergas is CEO of Hebrew at the Center. Bringing over twenty-five years of involvement in Jewish education and leadership, Rabbi Andrew Ergas has served as the Executive Director of the Shames JCC on the Hudson and in similar role at the Jewish Community Project Downtown (JCP). Andrew also served for seven years as Head of School at Beit Rabban Day School on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. In the past, he served as Executive Director of the Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA), as a Director of the Union for Reform Judaism’s Youth Division, as a resident and day camp director for both Young Judaea and for JCC’s, and as an organizational management consultant. Andrew was ordained in Jerusalem by the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion and holds master’s degrees in nonprofit management and in Hebrew literature. A graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Education certificate program, Andrew is also a doctoral candidate in education at the Jewish Theological Seminary, with a research focus on Hebrew, identity and pedagogy. A frequent lecturer and writer on Israel and Diaspora relations, Jewish history and effective change management within organizational life, Rabbi Ergas is recognized as a leading speaker and educator in the Jewish community and beyond. He is active in his home congregation and serves in a volunteer capacity as the Board Chair for the Council on Hebrew Language and Culture in North America. Andrew enjoys playing guitar, great movies, and spending time outdoors. Andrew lives in New York with his wife Jennifer and has three young adult sons, Erez, Natan and Ari.
Beverly is a driven builder of communal Jewish learning spaces. She believes that people can make endless meaning from exploring Jewish wisdom and bringing it into our lives in creative ways. Makom Community invites kids and grownups into learning experiences that do just that. Beverly received a B.A. in Jewish Studies from the University of Maryland then received her M.S.Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania in Jewish Education. Beverly was a fellow at Yeshivat Hadar, received the Covenant Foundation Pomegranate Prize, was a Shalom Hartman Created Equal Fellow, and is now in the Mandel Foundation Executive Leadership Program. After running congregational schools in Maryland and New Jersey, working at Barrack Hebrew Academy, and leading Makom Community, she has developed over 100 curricula for learners of all ages. As Beverly continues building community, she is excited to introduce Makom’s pedagogy, Jewish Placemaking, to communities around the country.
Jenna is a certified Speech Language Pathologist, Learning Specialist, and Educator with over a decade of professional experience identifying and delivering services to children, adolescents, and young adults with all sorts of needs. She has partnered with public school systems, independent education communities, camps, and individual families to build understanding and awareness of neurodiversity and plan for accommodations.
In-Person Training - Monday, February 20
Click on photos for presenter bios.
Session One Workshop Options
Dr. Tamar Andrews has been working in the field of Jewish Early Childhood Education for over 30 years. She is a preschool director at Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles and the director of the ECE degree programs at the American Jewish University. She is an international speaker on topics related to early childhood education, and is driven by her passion and crusade to make sure every child has a high quality foundation in life.
Marisa Kaiser, RJE, serves as the Charles S. Ackerman Senior Director of Learning & Engagement at Temple Sinai in Sandy Springs, GA. Marisa has been a Jewish educator for over 20 years and is the current President of the Association of Reform Jewish Educators (ARJE), representing all types of Jewish educators throughout the Reform movement. Marisa received a Master’s in Jewish Education from the University of Judaism and a Bachelor’s from the Ohio State University. Prior to joining Temple Sinai in 2014, Marisa was the Alpert-Waldman Family Director of Education Chair at Congregation Shir Ha-Ma’alot in Irvine, California and Religious School Principal at Temple Judea in Tarzana, California. She is married to her husband Michael, and they have three sons, Ryan, Benjamin and Nathan.
Rabbi Malka Packer-Monroe is a Reconstructionist Rabbi and life cycle officiant in Atlanta, Georgia. She is the Founding Director of 18Doors Atlanta, a Jewish non-profit organization that empowers and supports interfaith couples and families. Rabbi Malka helps individuals and families discover deeper meaning, joy and spirituality in their daily lives. As director of 18Doors Atlanta, Rabbi Malka provides guidance, resources and trainings for clergy, lay leaders and Jewish organizations to foster more welcoming and inclusive communities.
Beverly is a driven builder of communal Jewish learning spaces. She believes that people can make endless meaning from exploring Jewish wisdom and bringing it into our lives in creative ways. Makom Community invites kids and grownups into learning experiences that do just that. Beverly received a B.A. in Jewish Studies from the University of Maryland then received her M.S.Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania in Jewish Education. Beverly was a fellow at Yeshivat Hadar, received the Covenant Foundation Pomegranate Prize, was a Shalom Hartman Created Equal Fellow, and is now in the Mandel Foundation Executive Leadership Program. After running congregational schools in Maryland and New Jersey, working at Barrack Hebrew Academy, and leading Makom Community, she has developed over 100 curricula for learners of all ages. As Beverly continues building community, she is excited to introduce Makom’s pedagogy, Jewish Placemaking, to communities around the country.
Session Two Workshop Options
Dr. Tamar Andrews has been working in the field of Jewish Early Childhood Education for over 30 years. She is a preschool director at Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles and the director of the ECE degree programs at the American Jewish University. She is an international speaker on topics related to early childhood education, and is driven by her passion and crusade to make sure every child has a high quality foundation in life.
Rabbi Andrew Ergas is CEO of Hebrew at the Center. Bringing over twenty-five years of involvement in Jewish education and leadership, Rabbi Andrew Ergas has served as the Executive Director of the Shames JCC on the Hudson and in similar role at the Jewish Community Project Downtown (JCP). Andrew also served for seven years as Head of School at Beit Rabban Day School on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. In the past, he served as Executive Director of the Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA), as a Director of the Union for Reform Judaism’s Youth Division, as a resident and day camp director for both Young Judaea and for JCC’s, and as an organizational management consultant. Andrew was ordained in Jerusalem by the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion and holds master’s degrees in nonprofit management and in Hebrew literature. A graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Education certificate program, Andrew is also a doctoral candidate in education at the Jewish Theological Seminary, with a research focus on Hebrew, identity and pedagogy. A frequent lecturer and writer on Israel and Diaspora relations, Jewish history and effective change management within organizational life, Rabbi Ergas is recognized as a leading speaker and educator in the Jewish community and beyond. He is active in his home congregation and serves in a volunteer capacity as the Board Chair for the Council on Hebrew Language and Culture in North America. Andrew enjoys playing guitar, great movies, and spending time outdoors. Andrew lives in New York with his wife Jennifer and has three young adult sons, Erez, Natan and Ari.
Jenna is a certified Speech Language Pathologist, Learning Specialist, and Educator with over a decade of professional experience identifying and delivering services to children, adolescents, and young adults with all sorts of needs. She has partnered with public school systems, independent education communities, camps, and individual families to build understanding and awareness of neurodiversity and plan for accommodations.
Rabbi Malka Packer-Monroe is a Reconstructionist Rabbi and life cycle officiant in Atlanta, Georgia. She is the Founding Director of 18Doors Atlanta, a Jewish non-profit organization that empowers and supports interfaith couples and families. Rabbi Malka helps individuals and families discover deeper meaning, joy and spirituality in their daily lives. As director of 18Doors Atlanta, Rabbi Malka provides guidance, resources and trainings for clergy, lay leaders and Jewish organizations to foster more welcoming and inclusive communities.
Session Three Workshop Options
Beverly is a driven builder of communal Jewish learning spaces. She believes that people can make endless meaning from exploring Jewish wisdom and bringing it into our lives in creative ways. Makom Community invites kids and grownups into learning experiences that do just that. Beverly received a B.A. in Jewish Studies from the University of Maryland then received her M.S.Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania in Jewish Education. Beverly was a fellow at Yeshivat Hadar, received the Covenant Foundation Pomegranate Prize, was a Shalom Hartman Created Equal Fellow, and is now in the Mandel Foundation Executive Leadership Program. After running congregational schools in Maryland and New Jersey, working at Barrack Hebrew Academy, and leading Makom Community, she has developed over 100 curricula for learners of all ages. As Beverly continues building community, she is excited to introduce Makom’s pedagogy, Jewish Placemaking, to communities around the country.
Jenna is a certified Speech Language Pathologist, Learning Specialist, and Educator with over a decade of professional experience identifying and delivering services to children, adolescents, and young adults with all sorts of needs. She has partnered with public school systems, independent education communities, camps, and individual families to build understanding and awareness of neurodiversity and plan for accommodations.
"Dr. Eileen Flicker has been an advocate for children and their families for over 30 years in both Jewish and secular settings. Formally USCJ’s early childhood education specialist,
she currently supports teachers and administrators in early childhood programs and K-12 public schools. Eileen has worked as a teacher, principal, curriculum coordinator, school improvement specialist, professor, educational consultant, and yoga instructor. She is the co-author of Guiding Children’s Behavior: Developmental Discipline in the Classroom (Teachers College Press). Eileen has Master’s Degrees in Early Childhood Education, Educational Psychology, and Developmental Psychology and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University."
she currently supports teachers and administrators in early childhood programs and K-12 public schools. Eileen has worked as a teacher, principal, curriculum coordinator, school improvement specialist, professor, educational consultant, and yoga instructor. She is the co-author of Guiding Children’s Behavior: Developmental Discipline in the Classroom (Teachers College Press). Eileen has Master’s Degrees in Early Childhood Education, Educational Psychology, and Developmental Psychology and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University."
Sherri Cauthen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. She specializes in treating children and adolescents who’ve experienced difficulties with emotional regulation, impulse-control, complex trauma, grief and loss, anxiety and mood disorders. | Michelle Jacobs is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works with children, adolescents and their families. She specializes in working with young clients experiencing difficulty with emotional regulation, frustration tolerance, sensory processing and impulse control.
Optional Afternoon Session For All - 2:30 pm
Dr. Tamar Andrews has been working in the field of Jewish Early Childhood Education for over 30 years. She is a preschool director at Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles and the director of the ECE degree programs at the American Jewish University. She is an international speaker on topics related to early childhood education, and is driven by her passion and crusade to make sure every child has a high quality foundation in life.
Register Below
