As a teacher, I always felt that summer vacation ended on the last day of July. Once August started, my mind (and often my body) was back in the classroom preparing. I hope that this month's newsletter will help with your process of preparation.

Please read below about the Milwaukee Jewish Federation survey on Jewish Education. As Federation closely examines their funding model for education, we want to hear everyone's voice on Jewish education. See below about how you can help.

Have a meaningful Tisha B'Av and easy fast.

Tzipi Altman-Shafer
Jewish Education Community Planner
CJL Newsletter
Menachem 5776 -- August 2016

The Milwaukee Jewish Federation has convened a Task Force on Jewish Education. We are exploring ways to strengthen Jewish education in Milwaukee for students from kindergarten through age 18. We are looking at formal Jewish education (such as day schools and religious schools) and informal education (such as Jewish camps and youth groups). Ultimately the Task Force will make a funding recommendation about Jewish education to the Federation board. 

We have created a survey that asks questions to reach as many people in the community as possible. We would appreciate it if you would share the survey social media. The survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete.
Take the  survey here. If you have questions about this survey please contact me 414-963-2718 or [email protected]
CJL's E-NEWSLETTER
This newsletter is published on the first day of every Jewish month. We welcome your feedback and invite you to join us as we explore the joys of Jewish learning in Milwaukee and beyond. Share your feedback here.
CJL'S MISSION
The Coalition for Jewish Learning, the Education Department of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, promotes and advances Jewish education in the greater Milwaukee community, provides a support system for the community's institutions of Jewish learning, and forges coalitions to ensure excellence in Jewish education.
On July 31-August 3, eight Milwaukee Educators had the  opportunity  to attend the NewCAJE  conference in Naperville, Illinois. These teachers attended because of grants from the CJL/William  and Fannie Kesselman Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation and the CJL/Jerry Stein Education Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation. 

It was an amazing conference. Click here for some pictures and comments from our attendees.

Aggie:   It was just wonderful. What a warm and friendly group. Thank you CJL for your forward thinking, taking good care of us all, helping us to be in a place of inspiration just before we have to be the source of inspiration for others. Todah Rabah.

Molly Beth: Getting ready for our last couple of sessions of our conference and back to Milwaukee later this afternoon. What an amazing conference! I learned more and felt more than I ever expected to and cannot even put into words what was taken in, wondered about, accomplished, how I've grown and what I have to bring back to my school and community. Thank you, thank you a hundred times over to the generous donors, to the Coalition for Jewish Learning, Milwaukee, to Gan Ami JCC and thank you NewCAJE7!!

Tiferet: Thanks to CJL for bringing us and giving us this wonderful opportunity! I learned so much!

Wendy:  My cup runneth over! The amount of learning, sharing and growth that I was able to experience the last five days, not only professionally but personally as well, is still a bit overwhelming. I am "unpacking" all of the wonderful materials, music and lessons that was shared with me.  I can not wait to absorb it all and then share it with the many Schools, Congregations and our Community at large.  There are not enough words to express my gratitude for this opportunity and privilege. I'm floating so high that I feel like I'm ten feet tall. 

Tzipi:  The last time I attended a CAJE conference was 16 years ago. What a privilege to attend with such a terrific group from Milwaukee. I am looking forward to sharing resources with local schools and educators.

Save the Date for the 5777  Salute to Jewish Educators : 
Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017 3:30-5 pm
Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC

Join the community as we celebrate and honor the hard work of all our educators.
Nomination forms are available (click the title below). Please nominate someone you would like to see recognized this year.

The award recognizes nominees who:
1) Have been engaged in Jewish education for a minimum of 5 years in this community 
2) Demonstrate leadership within the field of education.
3) Inspire students with a love for Jewish learning
4) Personify the Jewish ideals of love of learning and search for knowledge.
5) Have contributed to the elevation of the status of Jewish educators 

The award recognizes nominees who:
1) Are involved in informal (outside the classroom) JEWISH education in Milwaukee.
2) Demonstrate leadership within the field of informal Jewish education.
3) Inspire students.
4) Personify the Jewish ideals.

The Gill Incentive For Teachers (GIFT) is an award designed to stimulate and encourage teachers to translate their unique educational ideas and initiatives into effective classroom projects. This award is for a project completed during the 2015-2016 school year in Milwaukee. Proposals may focus on one of these areas:  Maximum award is $500, which may be divided among several winners.

This is an award for excellence in גמילות חסדים (acts of loving kindness) projects completed in Milwaukee during the 2015-16 school year. The project should exemplify מצוות בן אדם לחברו (mitzvot between people). The project may be within a class or school-wide, and can be one-time or extended through the school year. The award of $100 will be donated to the (non-profit) organization or cause that the project supports. 
 Looking for a Job in a Local Jewish School?

For information about local job opportunities, please check out the   CJL Job Board. To add information about jobs, please contact Tzipi at   [email protected].
Tisha B'Av

The 9th of Av, called Tisha B'Av is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. This year the 9th of Av falls on Shabbat, so the fast is observe on Sunday, August 14. Tisha B'Av marks the date of the destruction of the First and Second Bet HaMikdash (Temple). In the Torah on the 9th of Av, the Israelites were punished for believing the reports of the spies. God told the Israelites that their generation would not enter the Land of Israel and would wander in the desert for forty years. When the Israelites cried and complained, God ordained that forever after, the 9th of Av would be a day of tragedy for the Jewish people.

Tisha B'Av is observed by not:
  • Eating
  • Drinking
  • Bathing
  • Wearing make-up
  • Wearing leather shoes
  • Being intimate
During Tisha B'Av, people act like mourners: they do not study Torah, they sit on low stools, and generally behave in serious ways. For more information, see these sites:


 

CSI - Milwaukee  is CJL's Congregational School Initiative. The program includes classes for teachers, seminars for educational directors, grants, school assessments, curriculum writing, and consultation.

2016-17 Classes
Times, dates, and locations subject to change. Check the CJL Newsletter monthly for updates.
 
Sunday, August 28, 9 am - 12 pm
Congregation Shalom
Back to School Teacher Workshop
Join with teachers from throughout Milwaukee for a day of learning and inspiration. We will introduce this year's theme of Project Based Learning and prepare for a new school year.
 
Wednesday, September 14, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid
Fall Holiday Workshop
This workshop will include text study, how to teach the fall holidays through technology, and art projects.
 
Wednesday, November 2, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC
Project Based Learning: Creating Lessons
Learn more about how to create lessons and units for Project Based Learning. We will explore examples of successful PBL units and practice creating them.
 
Sunday, November 20, 2 - 5 pm
Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC
Global Day of Jewish Learning
Join with Jews around the world studying the same theme on the same day. This year we will explore Under the Same Sky: "The Earth is Full of Your Creations." We will learn about our world and nature.
 
Monday, December 12, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC
Project Based Learning: Technology
Explore how teachers and students can utilize technology to enhance Project Based Learning. Technology should be used as a tool, not as an end onto itself.
 
Sunday, January 15, 4 - 6 pm
Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC
Love and Logic Part 2 with Trudy Sirkis
Last year Trudy Sirkis did an introduction to using Love and Logic in the classroom. At this class she will present more strategies and approaches to working with children in a way that is nurturing and empowering to both students and teachers. Even if you missed last year's class, there will be lots for you to learn at this session.

Monday, January 30, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC
Project Based Learning: "Real" Outcomes
What is the difference between students responding to scenarios and real-life situations? Explore how to create outcomes that are real and meaningful as you use Project Based Learning in your classroom.
 
Sunday, Feb. 19, 9 am - 12 pm
Congregation Emanu-El B'ne Jeshurun
Winter In-service
Join with teachers throughout Milwaukee for a second day of learning and inspiration. Reflect on the year so far and explore Project Based Learning techniques for the spring.
 
Wednesday, March 1, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid
Purim Workshop
This workshop will include text study, ideas about teaching the Purim through technology, art projects.
 
Monday, March 27, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC
Teaching the Whole Child
Children cannot learn unless they feel safe, happy, and valued. This class will explore how to meet the social and emotional needs of our students so that they are able to learn.
 
New This Year

If you are interested in any of these programs, please contact Tzipi Altman-Shafer for more information: [email protected]. Times, dates, and locations to be announced.
  
This class will meet monthly to explore learning, spirituality, and social action 
as individuals  and  teachers. Teachers who participate regularly in this class will earn the CSI stipend for the year.
 
This book club will read books related to Jewish education. The group will meet several times a year. Participation in the book club will count towards CSI stipend hours.
 
This year teachers can earn CSI credits by attending classes throughout the community and then writing an article or presenting a CSI session about how to use what they learned in their classrooms. Classes must be approved by the CJL director beforehand. 

The Coalition for Jewi sh Learning is part of the Create a Jewish Legacy Program of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.  
Create a Jewish Legacy is a program that helps individuals and families create legacy gifts, providing a permanent source of support for the Jewish causes they care about.  The program is founded on the principle that all of us, regardless of age, wealth or affiliation, can make an enduring financial impact.
The Jewish Community Foundation of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation is sponsoring this program in partnership with area synagogues, agencies and day schools.  Together, we will create an even brighter future for our community.
Questions? Contact : Tziporah Altman-Shafer 414-963-2718
Contact Us At:
1360 N. Prospect Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53202-3094
414-963-2718
414-390-5747 (fax)

Tziporah Altman-Shafer
Jewish Education Community Planner
414-963-2718
 
Allison Hayden
CJL Administrative Assistant
414-963-2717

Amanda Stein
Day School Grant Coordinator
414-963-2715
RESOURCES :
If you have some free time this summer, check out these resources for next year.

Here are lots of programs to explore over the summer.

Laminator   a t Hillel Academy call Sue Linski at 414-962-9545.
Die Cut Machine at Congregation  Beth Israel Ner Tamid call  Jen Saber  414-352-7310.


Interested in Substitute Teaching?
Local day schools and supplementary schools are looking for substitutes. If you are interested, please fill out this form and your contact information will be shared with local schools: 


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