Advertise on podcast: The Jewish Education Experience Podcast

Rabbi Jonathan Rietti – a descendant of the Sephardic leader the Ben Ish Chai and son of the famous British actor Robert Rietti, known as ‘The Man of a Thousand Voices’ and ‘King of the Dubbers’ – received his rabbinical diploma from Gateshead Talmudical College, England, after which he helped establish the now flourishing Kollel in Gibraltar. Having received a master’s in education, he has practiced for over thirty years as an educational consultant to parents of gifted children and those with ADD. With Montessori training, he has developed a curriculum which dovetails a Torah education with Montessori methodology. He has authored over two hundred lectures on topics including inner growth, health, parenting and Jewish identity, and draws upon his background in the film and advertising industries to entertain the listener while sharing powerful insights on love, happiness and ‘emotional intelligence. Rabbi Rietti founded Breakthrough Chinuch in 2009 with the goal of offering a “hands-on” curriculum to compliment the traditional Chinuch system for teachers, parents, schools, and homeschooling parents. https://www.breakthroughchinuch.com/ Gems: It is critical to learn Chumash through the prefixes, suffixes, and shorashim (root) letters.Allow ample time for review of what your students are learning.If you don’t learn sequentially from beginning to end based on actual skills, then there won’t be a strong chance of covering ground and knowing what you learn. The first thing we as educators have to recognize is that we must observe the child first, and then we can educate according to their strengths. Once a child masters the shorashim, and prefixes, and suffixes commonly found in Tanach, it makes it much easier to learn.Children have the ability to figure things out for themselves.We are causing the wisdom that’s already within the child to come out.The greatest teachers are ones who facilitate learning.A Rebbe has to have a lot of ways to reach his students.The Torah is written so that we ask questions, and the answers are in the Torah She’Be’al Peh (Oral Torah).When you know the Shorashim, prefixes and suffixes, you gain access to most of Bereishit.Find the strengths of the child and use that to teach any subject you want to teach.There needs to be constant back and forth in the classroom.Provide the skills and the connection to Torah.AmazonWe receive a small commission for any items purchased through my Amazon link.Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEParenting On PurposeThis course will help you better understand your child and build a deeper connection.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Rabbi Alexander Coleman is the Director of the Institute for Jewish Ethics in Philadelphia, a Jewish educational platform offering seminars and classes on contemporary ethical dilemmas. The Institute features international rabbinic and secular scholars, and its programs are CLE-accredited for attorneys fulfilling their continuing legal education requirements. In addition, Rabbi Coleman teaches a wide range of classes for both groups and individuals on topics including spirituality, Talmud, Jewish law, Parashah, Mussar, and Tanach. A trained therapist and life coach, he integrates these skills with his teaching to help people grow in both their spiritual lives and personal development. His classes and services are available in person, via Zoom, and on demand across various platforms, including the internationally renowned TorahAnytime. Rabbi Coleman was born and raised in Liverpool, England. After a brief period at Yeshiva Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem, he spent seven years at Yeshiva Chaim Berlin in New York, where he formed a close bond with its rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Aharon Schechter zt״l. After leaving yeshiva, he worked in Jewish outreach with the Etz Chaim Center for Jewish Studies in Philadelphia, and later went on to establish the Institute for Jewish Ethics. He resides in Philadelphia with his wife and family.  Gems: Engage your students in interesting discussions.Bring people back to their self-identity.Our learning is made up of a system of Jewish education, inspiration, and enlightenment.As educators, we can think of ourselves as spiritual custom tailors for the soul.Torah has the power to radiate out.Jewish education is not about data.The biggest and most impactful form of education is the influence, inspiration, and connection.What really changes a person is the connection between the teacher and the student.The academic knowledge is essential, but the connection to the teacher is essential for the transmission of Torah.Chinuch is launching someone on their path to be self-sufficient.Be mindful of the student in front of you.Help others understand what life is about and what our purpose is in this world.Work on changing ourselves.If it’s inside of us, it will organically flow out.Admit when you don’t know something.AmazonWe receive a small commission for any items purchased through my Amazon link.Parenting On PurposeThis course will help you better understand your child and build a deeper connection.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Rabbi Daniel Lapin is known world-wide as a noted rabbinic scholar, best-selling author and host of the Rabbi Daniel Lapin Podcast where he shares his knowledge of how the world really works. He is one of America’s most eloquent speakers and he has helped many people around the world grow in their five F’s: Faith, Family, Finances, Friendship, and Fitness through ancient Jewish wisdom. He was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, later studied in yeshivas in Gateshead, London, and in Israel. He emigrated to the United States and founded The Pacific Jewish Center. His more recent projects, along with his wife Susan, include online courses, a community called The We Happy Warriors, and has written many best-selling books, including their most recent book, The Holistic You: Integrating your Family, Faith, Finances, Friendships, and Fitness. Rabbi Lapin is an avid boater and sailed his family from Los Angeles to Honolulu in the summer on their own 44 foot sailing cutter. As the family grew, the Lapins switched to calmer waters, boating in the San Juan and Gulf Islands in Washington State and British Columbia. He and his wife Susan homeschooled their seven children on Mercer Island, Washington and now live in Baltimore, MD. Gems: Our primary obligation is to teach ourselves, not just our children. We are responsible for our own growth and progress; nobody else is responsible. Parents must be on the same page. Create an authentic connection with G-d rather than a formalistic one. Teach children to build a relationship where they can talk to G-d. Judaism is more than just a ritualistic way of life. Try to get out of your comfort zone. We pass down principles that are relevant at all times. Think through what you’re going to tell your children. Be open to freshness. How we teach needs to be linked to each child as an individual. Raise children that we would really like. We can’t expect things to be easy. Homeschooling is more viable than people think. Our job is to acculturate the next generation.  Dot-by-Dot Hebrew CurriculumA Kriah curriculum designed for the classroom, home, or Remedial with readers,workbooks, & games.Parenting On PurposeThis course will help you better understand your child and build a deeper connection.AmazonWe receive a small commission for any items purchased through my Amazon link.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Michael Feldstein has been a direct marketing professional for more than 40 years. He graduated with an MBA in marketing from New York University and has lived in Stamford since 1982. Feldstein is a member of both the Young Israel of Stamford and Congregation Agudath Sholom and has served on the adult education committees at both synagogues. He chaired the Center for Community Education at the Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy in Stamford, an education initiative that brought various Jewish educators to speak to members of the Stamford Jewish community. He also chairs the annual Challenges in Jewish Education panel program, which has brought various Jewish educators to participate in a panel to discuss critical issues in the world of Jewish education.  It has run consecutively for more than 20 years. He is the author of MEET ME IN THE MIDDLE, a collection of essays on contemporary Jewish topics.  For the last three years, he has been publishing a weekly column in The Jewish Link.  His works have also appeared in The Jewish Week and The Forward. In 2023, he won the Simon Rockower Award for Excellence in Journalism, which is given each year by the American Jewish Press Association.  Gems: Be a life-long learner. Though technology is very useful, we must still value the actual Torah texts. Being Jewish is not something we can hide. Be flexible. Learning in Hebrew gives our students the ability to read and connect with our texts. We learn through experiences. Teach critical thinking skills along with moral character. There’s value in teaching our students a trade. Focus on each individual child. https://amzn.to/414F4MR Parenting On PurposeThis course will help you better understand your child and build a deeper connection.AmazonWe receive a small commission for any items purchased through my Amazon link.Dot-by-Dot Hebrew CurriculumA Kriah curriculum designed for the classroom, home, or Remedial with readers,workbooks, & games.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Yossi Berktin is lovingly known by Jewish kids across the world as Rabbi B. Born and raised in Toronto Canada, Rabbi B is best known for his widely popular YouTube show Come Along with Rabbi B. He prides himself in his ability to teach and reach children of all ages and backgrounds. He is a published author, recording artist and has just pushed the pause button on a successful fifteen year teaching career. He has a Masters in education, has helped establish three homeschool endeavors, and has a wonderful, supportive family.     Gems: Help how to make Jewish learning more fun, engaging, and entertaining.It’s amazing how Hashem works!Share your love of learning.Your joy is contagious.Learn to see the positive in everyone.Bring out what Hashem created within each student.Focus on the task at hand.Keep moving forward and keep doing better.Recognize and share with others that Hashem is the creator of the world.Hashem doesn’t make mistakes.Be the best you, you can be and bring out the best in others.Bring Hashem into the equation and let him be a partner in your decisions.Try to be more childlike.Our job as educators is to know how to play properly, in a holy and focused way.Learn how to use the Condordant.Ask what the students/kids are going to need in their own personal lives?Arm them with simcha.Give the kids the tools they will need.Give children experiences.Hashem gave us interests and talents for us to use.Give children options for showcasing their creativity.Provide children the space to engage with content the way they want to.How can we empower our children?We each have our derech (our path).Remember what engaged you as a child.Fall in love with what you’re teaching.Be yourself.If you find yourself drawn to Chinuch, it’s because Hashem needs you there.There is something magic and beautiful to be taught.You don’t have to meet someone else’s expectations.Help students realize that they can be themselves and that they are here for a holy purpose.www.RabbiB.org Parenting On PurposeThis course will help you better understand your child and build a deeper connection.AmazonWe receive a small commission for any items purchased through my Amazon link.Dot-by-Dot Hebrew CurriculumA Kriah curriculum designed for the classroom, home, or Remedial with readers,workbooks, & games.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Assaf is the Director of Education at UnitEd. He works in the fields of Jewish Education, Museum Education and Comics and Graphic Novels. Prior to joining UnitEd, Assaf served as the first director of the Jewish renewal Division at the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs. He was Director of Education at Anu-Museum of the Jewish People (Tel Aviv). He served as curator of the Israeli Cartoon Museum, where he curated international and local exhibitions on editorial cartoons, comics and graphic novels. He teaches courses on Jewish Education, Museum Pedagogy and Philosophy of Education at Tel-Aviv University, Shenkar College of Design and Seminar HaKybutsim Teachers' College. His co-edited book "Comics & Sacred Texts” (with Prof. Ken Koltun-Fromm), has won the 2018 Best Edited Volume Award from the American Popular Culture Association (APA/PCA). Gems:  Help students appreciate our Torah, history, and culture on a more meaningful and profound level.Instill curiosity within your students.Ask students the big questions to help them figure out who they are.Create an environment in the classroom of acceptance of where each student is.Inspire students to connect with who we are as a nation and where we came from.Build a foundation of trust.It’s Ok to bring humor to education.Hebrew is a central pillar of Jewish education.Engage with Hebrew and don’t be afraid to make mistakes; have no shame.What are the most urgent needs of other educators and students?Talk with children about what’s going on in Israel.Prepare students for what they may face on university campuses by talking with them and giving them the resources they will need to thrive.Show our students that Jews around the world are linked to Israel.Teach children our history and its relevance in their everyday lives.Education is about knowledge, but also about having a deep connection to our history, faith, and culture, and establishing relevance to our lives.Chinuch should be learner centered.Don’t think that the entire fate of the Jewish world rests on your shoulders.Focus on what you can do!Remember why you became an educator in the first place.AmazonWe receive a small commission for any items purchased through my Amazon link.Parenting On PurposeThis course will help you better understand your child and build a deeper connection.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Rabbi Dovi Nadel has been the coordinator of the Dr. Shimshon Isseroff USA Chidon Ha’Tanach since 2015. Dovi is on the faculty of SAR High School and currently serves as the grade dean for the senior class. Dovi is a proud alum of Farber Hebrew Day School, Yeshivat Har Etzion, and Yeshiva University. He has a Master’s degree in Bible from YU-Revel and received his Semikha  from YU-RIETS. For three consecutive summers he served as the Rosh Chinuch (Head of EducationalStaff) at Camp Stone in Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania. Dovi credits his parents and two unique Middle/High School educators for inspiring his love of Tanach – Rabbi Eliezer Cohen Z”L and Rabbi Pinchas Amior.   Gems: Inspire your students to learn Pesukim of the Torah well.Make time for your students.The key to textual fluency is when the student decides that they really want to learn it on their own.Encourage students to take ownership of their learning.The real reward is when students work hard.Push the students more than they push themselves.The short route ends up being the long route, the long route ends up being the short route.- TalmudBe a steward through which to connect students to Torah and Hashem.Generate a love of Torah and make it part of every day conversation.Chinuch is about planting seeds, helping cultivate students in whatever way you can, and knowing you might not see the end result, however, we have an impact.Ask your students what they find meaningful.Be inspired by your students.Stay fresh and creative.Truly love your students and what you’re teaching.Each of us has a duty to teach others.Parenting On PurposeThis course will help you better understand your child and build a deeper connection.AmazonWe receive a small commission for any items purchased through my Amazon link.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Jessie Rothstein is a new olah and a high school Tanach and Jewish History teacher in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel, where she lives with her family. She received her BA in Jewish Studies and Anthropology at Emory University, in Atlanta, GA, focusing her undergraduate thesis on Holocaust survivor testimony from Argentina. She received her MS in Jewish Education from YU Azrieli and has been teaching in Modern Orthodox high schools for the past 8 years. Jessie is extremely grateful to Hashem that she has the privilege of teaching Tanach in Eretz Yisrael!  Gems:  Point out what is important to Hashem within Tanach.Hashem loves us.The Torah shows us what Hashem cares about.Hashem cares about vulnerable people, and we ought to also.It’s our job to have empathy for people who are less fortunate than us.Show students the little moments that reveal Hashem’s presence.Help students learn to have gratitude.Kids must feel safe.Learn how to disagree with people, while still being a loving person.Help students recognize their potential and actualize it by giving them the tools they’ll need.Create a sense of belonging amongst your students.Each student has his/her own path.We have to acknowledge and accept who the child is.See each child not just as an individual, but as someone who is also part of a family.Parents and educators are on the same team.Put yourself in their shoes.Keep the big picture in mind.Learning how to be a teacher is done on the job.Every difficult experience makes you a better teacher.The Torah is our guide to life. Parenting On PurposeThis course will help you better understand your child and build a deeper connection.AmazonWe receive a small commission for any items purchased through my Amazon link.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Rebecca Masinter is the founder of Toras Imecha and Mother's Guidance which provide Torah based inspiration and practical guidance to parents. She has been involved in Jewish education for twenty-five years as a teacher, administrator, ACT tutor, and homeschool mother. Rebecca lives in Baltimore, Maryland with her husband and six children, where she is active in the homeschool community and as an educator at Bnos Yisroel of Baltimore. Rebecca is passionate about sharing Torah wisdom with parents around the world and has created several video presentations and authored many articles which provide deep insights combined with down-to-earth tools for today's parents. https://www.torasimecha.com/ and https://www.mothersguidance.com/ Gems: Do your best to approach things from a positive perspective.For families: make time for family togetherness.Decide what you want to give your students and how you want to impact them.Take it one year at a time.Decide what is  best for each child at each given time.Parents all have the same mission to train their children.Parents are facilitators in their children’s education.Allow children to become full partners in their education.The early childhood years are critical years for the influence of the family.The early years are the basis for the child’s whole life.Children need their mother to be their primary influence during the early years.Think about how we can help our children become their best selves.Help students understand that they have a purpose in this world.Continue growing yourself through reading, and taking classes.Life is not meant to be easy.Start children off on the path that they will go on for their whole life.Think long-term.Figure out what your goals are.Think about what does Hashem want from you right in this moment?When a student or child is struggling, it’s not personal.You are not a failure when a student or child has challenges.It’s not about the product in our roles as educators, it’s what are we putting into them.In order to teach, you have to love your children/students.Find your mentors.Book Recommendations: Steven Covey- The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families Gordon Neufeld Leonard Sax Linda and Richard Eyre-3 Steps to a Strong Family O AmazonWe receive a small commission for any items purchased through my Amazon link.Parenting On PurposeThis course will help you better understand your child and build a deeper connection.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

T’helah Ben-Dan is the founder of The Kefar, which provides virtual content, instruction, and coaching for Hebrew language learners and teachers. She also serves as Deputy Director of TALMA, overseeing recruitment and onboarding for the organization's teaching fellowships in Israel. T'helah has several years of classroom and online teaching experience, and loves all things Hebrew and Torah-related. T'helah holds an MA in Teaching Hebrew as a Second Language, an MS in Early Childhood Services, and a BA in African & African-American Studies. When she's not working, you can find her reading, baking, or traveling.  Gems: Join with other educators and learn as much as you can from them.Developing an understanding of the Hebrew language will aid in connecting with our fellow Jews and Israel.Learn as much Hebrew as possible.Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of the fire.Lead our students to the information and help inspire them to learn deeper.Build the excitement and spark the curiousity.How can we impart the knowledge given to us to the next generation?Make the time to commit to your own learning.Your time is valuable.You can do anything, but not everything.Love the work that you do!Find a community of other educators.Have fun!  https://www.youtube.com/thelahbendan  Parenting On PurposeThis course will help you better understand your child and build a deeper connection.AmazonWe receive a small commission for any items purchased through my Amazon link.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Tamar Shuchat is the content developer and graphic designer of the sought after curriculum DotbyDot. She has taught reading to children of all ages for over 10 years. Tamar wanted to create quality material that would excite every young reader and motivate them to read Hebrew. The ultimate goal is to create readers who are comfortable to daven and learn Chumash. The DotbyDot curriculum uses Hebrew words that children will encounter in their daily life. The big focus of the curriculum is on only real words and also short Hebrew stories in the workbooks that bring meaning and excitement to the reading. Prior to printing these books Tamar mentioned that she didnt see much out there like that, which was the push to create a curriculum designed with that in mind. A story unit at the end of each Nekud is the highlight of the workbook. This stage in the learning process is exciting for the children. Tamar is passionate about bringing excitement to reading, and engaging all students in the reading process. Website: http://www.dotbydot.org/ Gems: Reading problems must be addressed early on before moving to the next phase.Help students master the skills properly from the beginning.Use your skills.Get feedback from clients and students.Find other educators who encourage you.See what works with children.Reading skills are important.It’s important to have a foundation to build upon.Help students feel good about the process and inspire them to want to continue learning.Every single child needs to be met where they are.Parenting On PurposeThis course will help you better understand your child and build a deeper connection.AmazonWe receive a small commission for any items purchased through my Amazon link.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Rabbi Daniel Bauer is a Judaic Studies teacher at Kohelet Yeshiva High School in Merion Station, PA as well as a licensed marriage and family therapist with a private practice. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from Lander College for Men as well as an M.S. in Jewish Education from Yeshiva University. He received semicha through YU’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. Rabbi Bauer studied at Council for Relationships in Philadelphia to attain a post-graduate certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy, and recently finished the licensing process. He lives in Bala Cynwyd with his amazing wife and three awesome children.  Gems: Be a great role model.Talk about loving G-d/Hashem with your students.Be flexible with how you approach each class.Give students more credit for their ability and figure out ways to make learning more accessible.Discuss the deeper ideas with your students.Put technology in its proper place.Focus on the texts.Literacy and knowledge of the texts is important.Teach students to be able to think.Help people sharpen their thinking and grow in their literacy.Take the time to find out what is important to your students outside of the classroom.Find a good mentor.Be realistic about the goals you set for yourself and for your students.Understand where students are coming from. Parenting On PurposeThis course will help you better understand your child and build a deeper connection.AmazonWe receive a small commission for any items purchased through my Amazon link.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

In this special edition episode, I answer the questions that I usually ask other educators. I am a long-time educator who began as an assistant in my mother's classroom when I was 13 years old. I have taught in many different school settings. My focus now is on this podcast, and on teaching my own children.  Parenting Course, Parenting On Purpose: https://la-med-learning-center.teachable.com/p/parenting-on-purpose-developing-a-deeper-connection-with-your-children Gems: We are always able to have a connection to Hashem.Keep Hebrew names.As parents, we must give our children a foundation to build on their Yiddishkeit.Begin talking about Hashem/G-d from a young age.Learning begins in the home.As educators, our job is to create a love of learning.We must teach according to each child’s ability.Think long term.We must teach our children about Hashem, relationships, and money.Be grateful for every day.Think long-term.Mentor with other great educators.Parenting On PurposeThis course will help you better understand your child and build a deeper connection.AmazonWe receive a small commission for any items purchased through my Amazon link.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

JTLP Interview: Jason Cohen is currently one of Harrisburg BBYO's chapter advisors. He joined as the chapter advisor here in Harrisburg in March of 2020. Prior to joining Harrisburg BBYO Jason was one of the co-advisors for Wilkes-Barre BBYO since 2011.   Judith Hodara is the Director of the Jewish Teen Learning Project in Harrisburg, and an active member of local Jewish organizations. Her scholarly work focuses on the importance of Hillel on the college campus.  Teens: Alex, 8th grade Madelyn, 9th grade Julia, 9th grade Yael, 9th grade   Gems: Be proud to be Jewish. Sometimes it’s the right time to respond and other times it’s better to turn to an authority figure who can help handle it. It’s important to talk about issues with teens so that they feel comfortable. Education is the key. Allow students to be heard. Join together with our fellow Jews.  Use what’s going on in Israel as an opportunity to increase your knowledge. Inspire students to want to learn more. Spark the curiousity they have.  Students can inspire as well. Learning never stops. Connect with other Jews. Know that you may not have all of the answers. Learn to connect with your students. Meet students where they are at. Be flexible. Develop a deeper understanding of Judaism. Never forget that you’re Jewish.  AmazonWe receive a small commission for any items purchased through my Amazon link.Parenting On PurposeThis course will help you better understand your child and build a deeper connection.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

 Esther Goldenberg is a native Chicagoan, author, educator, and mother of two fabulous children. Once a reluctant reader, but always someone who enjoyed a good story, she developed a passion for writing. She is the author of The Out of the Box Bat Mitzvah, A Guide to Creating a Meaningful Milestone, and A Story Every Week: Torah Wisdom for Today's World. Her much anticipated Biblical fiction novel, The Scrolls of Deborah,  is available now. Esther continues to write and teach students of all ages, and also enjoys adventures with her children, chanting with her neighbors, and walks in nature. Her website is: https://www.esthergoldenberg.com/ Gems: We learn best through stories.Find ways to help students connect with the Torah.Bring Jewish education alive.Always have the student in mind when preparing and teaching.When you share what's meaningful to you, it's inspiring for your students.Guide students to find relevancy in what they're learning.  Handwriting Without Tears Parenting On PurposeThis course will help you better understand your child and build a deeper connection.AmazonWe receive a small commission for any items purchased through my Amazon link.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show