Practical Pedagogy for the Jewish Classroom

Jewish education is not a commodity to be acquired or taught in easily defined and understandable portions. Rather, it is an encounter with the Jewish tradition which, if done properly, can and should leave both students and teachers challenged, shaken, and deeply introspective. A powerful, effective experience in Jewish education should cause students to question, and perhaps ultimately, reaffirm those beliefs and practices that define who they are as individuals, Jews, and human beings. This book deals with issues related to challenging students in the classroom, gives age-appropriate methods of instruction, and discusses difficult religious issues unique to the Jewish classroom. It is for everyone associated with or even just interested in Jewish education. Rabbi Daniel Kohn, an experienced educator, uses stories and anecdotes based on his experiences as a founding faculty member of the Solomon Schechter High School of Long Island to illustrate his points. He describes ways to improve classroom management and explores the meaning of Jewish Studies and how to create a superior curriculum. He analyzes issues of immediate concern to Jewish educators today, such as the value of tracking students, teaching in Hebrew, whether Jewish studies courses should be taught in depth or cover more breadth of material, and whether text study skills or knowledge should be emphasized in such classes.