 |
 |
The Experiment in Congregational Education The Experiment in Congregational Education (ECE) is a project of the Rhea Hirsch School of Education, now entering its 10th year. In the past decade, the ECE has worked intensively with 14 Reform congregations, helping them to become Congregations of Learners and Learning Congregations. The ECE is now expanding its scope, to offer a broader array of options to congregations of all denominations. The ultimate goal is to create a wide array of learning modules on innovations in congregational education; to make these learning modules available over the Internet; and to assist congregational teams in adapting these innovations to their own settings. To create the learning modules, the Center has begun work with three different congregational consortia, in Kansas City, in the Bay Area, and with a small group of highly innovative congregations nation-wide. This work is being funded by a $350,000 challenge grant from the Nathan Cummings Foundation, which has been matched by a $150,000 grant from the Koret Foundation, by the Central Agency for Jewish Education in Kansas City, and by participating congregations. The Center has recently hired a fullt-time director, Dr. Rob Weinberg, to spearhead these efforts; the Founding Director is Dr. Isa E. Aron, Professor of Jewish Education at HUC-JIR/LA. For more information, go to the Experiment in Congregational Education web site. (http://www.eceonline.org/) Gerecht Family Institute for Outreach Established by Ash and Gloria Gerecht of Silver Spring, Maryland, the National Center to Encourage Judaism, and the National Center to Encourage Judaism Fund, the Gerecht Family Institute for Outreach will provide comprehensive outreach education for students at HUC-JIR's three stateside campuses and will offer opportunities for advanced study for alumni. Institute for Teaching Jewish Adults The HUC-JIR Institute for Teaching Jewish Adults was established in 2002 to offer opportunities for Jewish professionals, particularly HUC-JIR alumni, to enhance their skills as adult educators. At present, the Institute's priority is to assess the current state of adult Jewish learning in Reform congregations and beyond, in order to learn more about the skills and knowledge needed by professionals to create compelling adult Jewish learning experiences. The implications for the education of current students and the continuing education of alumni will be explored. In 2004-2005, an ITJA Adult Jewish Learning Advisory Committee will meet to carry out this inquiry and suggest potential initiatives to support relevant adult education training programs. Click here for the press release. |
