onsite intensives, a 10-day winter institute, an action project,
and mentoring by veteran youth professionals. Coursework
focuses on the areas of adolescent development, experiential
learning, program planning, change theory, social media, the
arts, and service learning. Each student is mentored through-
out the program to help translate their classroom learning to
their workplace.
The Induction and Retention Initiative
is designed
to provide support for new graduates of HUC-JIR’s residential
MA programs in Los Angeles and New York as they transition
from school to work, and then to continue to support and
encourage them to thrive in the field throughout their careers.
A think tank of faculty, alumni, lay and professional congrega-
tional leaders, and members from the National Association of
Temple Educators and the Union for Reform Judaism was con-
vened to explore these issues for graduates of the Rhea Hirsch
School of Education and New York School of Education. A sur-
vey of alumni of the classes of 2008-2010 was completed to
determine what has enabled successful induction for recent
graduates. “Retention of alumni in the field of Jewish educa-
tion includes more than just helping them continue to be
employed in the field of Jewish education,” explains Deborah
Niederman, RJE, RHSOE ’93, Coordinator of the Induction and
Retention Initiative. “Retention involves helping them maintain
a visionary mindset, encouraging their continuous professional
growth, and inspiring them to seek out new challenges.”
The Jewish Early Childhood Education Leadership
Institute,
a joint project with the Jewish Theological
Seminary, in consultation with the Bank Street College of
Education, will be launched in the Spring of 2012. This new
program will prepare participants to lead high quality early
childhood programs that bring together best practices in
Jewish education and early childhood education.
THE JIM JOSEPH FOUNDATION
EDUCATION INITIATIVE
13
“
All of these endeavors contribute to
the fulfillment of the College-Institute’s
mission to prepare the next generation
of professional leaders for the Jewish
community,” explains Dr. Rob Weinberg,
JJF-EI Project Manager.
