New Partnership Offers Israel Education Certificate to JCC Professionals

New Partnership Offers Israel Education Certificate to JCC Professionals
Initiative will expand depth of Israel education in JCCs across North America

NEW YORK, NY—JCC Association of North America joins the iCenter for Israel Education with support from funders through the  Jewish Community Response and Impact Fund (JCRIF) to offer a new certificate in experiential Israel education to Jewish professionals. Over time, this initiative, through which participants earn professional accreditation from the iCenter, will expand the breadth and depth of Israel education in Jewish communal organizations, including Jewish Community Centers and Jewish Community Camps (JCCs) across the continent.

The pilot program, which began in January 2021, with 31 professionals from throughout the Jewish communal world, connects the theory and practice of a relational approach to educational practice with Israel-focused content that uses arts and culture together with the voices, colors, and narratives of the country’s people as a window for exploration.

In addition to five JCC professionals and one JCC Association professional, pilot cohort participants represent UJA-Federation of NY, Birthright Israel North America, Foundation for Jewish Camp, AJC, OneTable, Hillel, Jewish Agency for Israel, RootOne, Ramah, Capital Camps, March of the Living, Israel21C, Temple Bat Yahm, URJ Camp Newman, and AEPi.

The six JCC Movement participants will receive a $1,200 stipend and will work together with Leah Garber, JCC Association’s vice president for Israel engagement and director of the Center for Israel Engagement, throughout and beyond the program to promote ongoing Israel engagement within the movement.

Ayelet Cohen
Jewish and Israeli Culture Coordinator
Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver
Vancouver, British Columbia

Jennifer Selco
Director of Jewish Life and Learning
Tucson Jewish Community Center
Tucson, Arizona

Marcy Stagner
Program Director of Cultural Arts and Adult Services
Memphis Jewish Community Center
Memphis, Tennessee

Alanna Steinberg
Camp Director and Jewish Educator
Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center
Bridgewater, New Jersey

Austin Theis
Assistant Director
Capital Camps
Rockville, Maryland

Yael Warach
Professional Development Manager
JCC Association of North America
New York, New York

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About JCC Association of North America

JCC Association of North America leads and connects the JCC Movement, advancing and enriching North American Jewish life. With 1.5 million people walking through the doors of more than 170 Jewish Community Centers and Jewish Community Camps (JCCs) each week, the JCC Movement is the largest platform for Jewish engagement on the continent. JCC Association, the convening organization of this dynamic network, partners with JCCs to bring together the collective power and knowledge of the entire JCC Movement, including 12,000 full-time and 41,000 part-time and seasonal professionals. By supporting them, together we enhance and strengthen Jewish life throughout North America. Learn more at JCCA.org or on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.