The Light Lab T’fillah Teachers Fellowship
The Light Lab is excited to announce the 15 fellows in our first ever T’fillah Teachers Fellowship!
These educators come from diverse Jewish communities all around the country, with their own teaching styles, expertise, and experience. What unites them is their passion for Jewish education, the care they have for their students, and a desire to make t’fillah learning positive and powerful. We can’t wait to see what magic is made when these extraordinary people come together. Learning begins in June!
Benjamin Brodkey, Beit Sefer Shalom - Waukee, Iowa
Andrea Cate, Adat Reyim - Springfield, VA
Nicholas Chrapliwy, Beth El - Durham NC
Karen Daniel, Beth Meyer - Raleigh, NC
Jason Flatt, Rodef Shalom -Falls Church, VA
Ellen Goodman, Temple Mount Sinai- El Paso TX
Patti Kahn, Sharey Tefilo Israel -South Orange, NJ
Gilana Levavi, Emanuel Synagogue - West Hartford, CT
Molly May, Beth El & Judea Reform - Durham, NC
Ariel Michaelson, Yavneh - Washington, D.C
Sarah Rohr Congregation, Neveh Shalom - Portland, OR
Miriam Roochvarg, Etz Hayim - Arlington, VA
Ronit Rubin, Beth Am - Miami, Fl
Bob Schneider, Beth-El Zedeck - Indianapolis, IN
Sarah Zimmer, Makom Community - Philadelphia, PA
Read on for more information about the fellowship.
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We hope to learn with you soon!
About the fellowship:
The T’fillah Teachers Fellowship is a cohort learning experience for classroom teachers of t’fillah in K-6 supplemental Jewish schools. This 6-week program includes virtual core classes, assigned learning pairs, one-on-one sessions, and a mid-program retreat. The first half focuses on personal learning for the teacher- exploring g?d, spirituality, and t’fillah, and diving deep into pieces of liturgy using the Light Lab methodology. In the mid-year retreat, participants will have the chance to connect with each other, further solidifying a cohort and paving the way for a community of practice to last beyond the program. The back half is focused on teaching: pedagogy, best practices, childhood spiritual development, and envisioning what t’fillah education could be for their students.
Our goal is to help each teacher find their personal “why” for t’fillah and support them in creating and teaching t’fillah to their students with a renewed spiritual foundation.
Criteria for nomination:
Fellows must teach t’fillah to any grade K-6 in some capacity as part of their work in your supplementary school. They must be able to meet weekly on Wednesday evenings during the core program (June 7-July 19, excluding 4th of July week) and attend the retreat (June 23-25 in Durham, North Carolina), as well as attend monthly virtual follow-up gatherings. We encourage you to nominate teachers even if you are unsure of their availability, as we hope to offer more learning opportunities in the future. You may nominate up to three teachers from your school; please use separate forms.
Have someone in mind? Nominate them here!
Nominator responsibilities:
We see you as a key part of this process. Directors/Supervisors will join their teacher fellows for one-on-one meetings with Eliana before the program begins and upon completion. During the fellowship, Directors/Supervisors will meet with Eliana on June 14 and July 12 from 12-1 eastern.
For their time, learning, and energy, each fellow will receive $500; half from the Light Lab, thanks to the sponsorship of the Covenant Foundation, and half from the sponsoring institution.
We are grateful to also be able to help cover travel costs (up to $400 per participant) as well as lodging and travel within Durham.
This fellowship is made possible by funds granted by The Covenant Foundation. The statements made and the views expressed, however, are solely the responsibility of the Light Lab