Jewish Spirit

Background

Israeli education is suffering a major crisis for some two decades resulting, among other things, in a meager instilment of Jewish culture and values. Youths, in the midst of asking questions and consolidating identities, are bereft of the answers Judaism might have given them. We believe that the beauty, the profundity and the complexities Jewish culture is imbibed with, are an invaluable asset for personality building. Without them, the next generation growing up in Israel will be a generation “who knows not how to ask” and our society will have no common core values to work with in its strive to create a cohesive whole from the assembly of groups of which Israel is made.

The Jewish Spirit Program

The Jewish Spirit Association was established in 2007 to create dialogues between Israeli children and youths and Jewish culture. The association's staff, both religious and secular university students, operates enrichment programs acted out in some 30 schools in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. These programs cover various Jewish themes from the holidays and the rituals to the Avot tractate and Maimonides' "Middle Way" concept. Our R&D Unit is working to make these complex ideas approachable to junior-high and high-school students, with remarkable results – students, teachers and principles all ask for the program to be re-operated in their schools. This year we are facing a significant broadening of our activities, after receiving the Ministry of Education's approval.

Target

• To stir involvement and interest among students regarding their feelings of belonging and the relevancy of Judaism to their lives.

Target population – Junior-high schools and high-school students (aged 13-18 years) in Israel.

General principles

• Jewish culture is a phenomenon of many hues and layers. The program reveals Jewish sources of many periods and movements.
• The program deals with Jewish culture rather than Jewish faith.
• Values that have to do with respect and responsibility for the Other, as the value expressed in the dictum, "Love your friend as you love yourself", are stressed. This notion pertains to behavior and attitudes towards the student's peers, parents, and siblings but also to members of other groups and cultures.

Work principles

• At the center of the program stand Jewish texts, from which diverse enrichment activities (plays, discussions etc.) emerge.
• The program has to do with the world of the adolescent': the children and youths we work with are dealing with complex identity issues, and we are trying to help them address those issues through innovative teaching methods – for examples, in units about one's role within the family or in the society at large.
• Activities are being held twice a week in small groups of no more than 10 children, each group operated by a single guide. Each activity is built upon interaction between guides and students and among students, allowing participants to express their doubts and feelings.
• Staffs are comprised of young academics, usually trained in Jewish philosophy and culture. These are both religious and secular persons, who see their work as an educational mission.
• We work in full cooperation with each and every school's staff. Teachers attend all our activities and our contents are approved by the schools' pedagogic committees. Interested teachers also attend Judaism workshops held by our staff.

Jewish Spirit Staff and affiliates

Yehuda Polishuk, Chairman & Founder of "OROT" (NPO).

Studied at the Hebron "Knesset Israel Yeshiva" and Graduated the Rabbi's Institute "Or Eliyahu" in Jerusalm. Mr. Polishuk is the Editor and Author of the successful Book Series "Prayer Book Commentaries by the Maharal of Prague" (Pub. Jerusalem Institute, 2004). As Chairman and Founder of OROT (NPO) Mr. Polishuk founded several Educational initiatives including the "OROT Pre-Millitery Leadership Institute" and "Jewish Spirit".

Shlomi Revivo, Director of "Jewish Spirit"

Studied Universal & Jewish History at the Haifa University and Philosophy at the Tel-Aviv University. Active in the field of Informal Education for over 12 years.

Daniel Kendler, Director of Contents & Workshops

Studied Jewish Thought at the Hebrew University. Served as an instructor for "Gesher" and "Maagley Tzedek". Techer, Coordinator, and Editor of Jewish Spirit Programs

Itay Barda, Deputy Director for External Relations

Studied Economics and Business Administration at the Academic College Of Emek Yezreel and currently learning for MA degree at Hebrew University.
Former Chairman of the National Students Council

Shlomit & Roee Can'an

Founders of "Yoav", accompanying "Jewish Spirit" in the preperation of educational programs and the development of organizational solutions.

"Jewish Spirit" Educational Team

Our Educational is comprised of qualified graduates of the intense "Jewish Spirit Leaders Program". Our instructors arrive from every Jewish congregation, observant and non-observant alike. They all share the same passion to teach and share genuine Jewish values. All our instructors have at least one academic degree and long term experience in youth instruction.