Siris TRC reopens during teachers' workshops

Federation's Department of Jewish Education was cooking! Not only did it restore its popular NJEA Day Teachers' Workshops, but it reopened its Siris Teachers Resource Center all on the same day.

The NJEA Day Teachers' Workshop at the renovated Siris Teacher's Resource Center featured workshops by Alexandra Benjamin of the Melitz Institute in Israel. Discussing "Jerusalem Through the Eyes and Words of Yehuda Amichai" were (front, from left), Benjamin; Rabbi Isaac Furman, Cong. Beth El and Kellman Brown Academy; and Rabbi Paul Bender, Cong. Ner Tamid; with (rear, from left), Rabbi Miriam Hyman, Jewish Federation Dept. of Jewish Education professional development specialist; Rabbi Andrew Bossov, Adath Emanu-El; Rabbi Gary Gans, Cong. Beth Tikvah; and Rabbi Lewis Eron, community chaplain. The workshops, presented by Alexandra Benjamin of Israel's Melitz Institute, included a rabbi's panel discussing "Jerusalem Through the Eyes and Words of Yehuda Amichai," and roundtables exploring "Great Tools For Teaching The Real Israel Right Now," and "Israeli Attitudes about God through Popular Music."

The Resource Center has both a new, spacious look and a new, expanded focus. "Our goal is professional development," said Penina Hoffnung, who heads the Department of Jewish Education (DJE). Master teacher Gila Lewis Sietz, teacher training instructor at Midrashah, will help religious school teachers in the area of classroom dynamics. "These teachers have relatively little time with their students," said Hoffnung. Seitz job will be to help them make good use of that time by "keeping their classes exciting."

Rabbi Miriam Hyman, who shares the pulpit at Cong. B'nai Tikvah in Turnersville, with her husband Rabbi Michael Fessler, will focus on Judaic content. A third educator who will concentrate on the needs of early childhood teachers is still being sought.

Longtime TRC Assistant Lynn Sanford will continue to offer her expertise, and DJE Administrative Assistant Jackie Sutnick will play a vital role.

Hours, resources and services all have been expanded, according to Hoffnung. There'll be circulating teaching tools, one on one consultations, and (in early 2009) a virtual TRC where teachers will be able to download worksheets and activities, as well as order resource materials on line.

Monthly workshops are planned for December through May, and Listserv support groups for new teachers and middle school teachers are now forming.

For complete information contact prodevteam@jfedsnj.org, or phone Jackie Sutnick at 751- 9500, ext. 235..