A Behind the Scenes Look

The Adult Learning staff and Parenting Through a Jewish Lens faculty have been hard at work these past few weeks. Just like our program participants, we feel we have much to learn; we together reflect on the program’s challenges and successes, and plan improvements for the coming year.

Faculty recently gathered for an end-of-year meeting. They discussed ways of building community both within and outside of the classroom. David Jaffe shared that he invited his students to his home for Shabbat meals, and Judy Elkin discussed various in-class strategies. Together the faculty and staff brainstormed opportunities for further connection and learning among current students and alumni. Over lunch Professor Katherine Jungreis shared insights into the lives of interfaith families, many of whom now participate in Parenting Through a Jewish Lens.

As a staff we are busy working with liaisons and enrolling students at 13 different sites throughout the greater Boston area: Arlington, Belmont, Brookline, Cambridge, Concord, Lexington, Malden, Natick, Newton, Sharon, West Roxbury, Wellesley and Westwood. Our synagogue liaisons have been wonderful, and we are thrilled when enrollees recruit their friends. This year we are hoping to hold the program in two private homes (in Arlington and in Sharon) in addition to synagogue sites.

As we approach the program’s 8^th year we are giving its curriculum an update – cutting it down from 19 to 10 sessions and ensuring that each is accessible and rich. Our faculty will be back at Hebrew College in September to prepare to teach this new curriculum.