CIE Professional Development Workshops
“This workshop was pure pleasure and greatly appreciated. The staff is professional, excellent, with a really pure agenda. In addition to the primary staff, having Ken's students and Max added an element of joy and warmth that is not often found in these settings. I truly appreciate that the talks were kept from turning into personal opinion sessions and political debate and that Tal kept the pedagogy sessions from turning into complaint sessions. I'd love to attend follow up workshops that continue what we learned this week, and continue to build from lesson planning to multi-lesson planning.
Linda P. The Epstein School, Atlanta, GA (2011)
“Thank you, thank you, thank you: for the outstanding, incredible scholarship; the (nearly) unending resources; the lessons and materials ready to go home and use; information and stimulation desperately wanted and needed; the extra 5 pounds! This was amazing - not enough superlatives in my vocabulary to suffice- thank you!”
Judy J. B’nai Torah, Highland Park, IL (2011)
“I am deeply grateful for this opportunity. Thank you for giving us this incredible gift of knowledge.”
Shoshana K. Raymond Religious School, St. Petersburg, FL (2011)
“This has been an amazing experience for me! I not only learned so much personally, but I also feel 100% more capable of doing a proper job of sharing Israel's modern history with my students and colleagues! Thank you for this opportunity to enrich my knowledge and that of my students!”
Karen W. The Epstein School, Atlanta, GA (2011)
“Nowhere else can you get the unvarnished, honest and timely truth about Israel without going there.”
Jackie R. Chattanooga Jewish Congregational Religious School, Chattanooga, TN (2011)
“Brilliant, prepared and varied guest speakers; extraordinary array and availability of exceptional resources and materials; organization of the week-- which spared no opportunity to treat teachers wonderfully-- no stone went unturned as far as excellence went.”
Barbara R. The Weber School, Atlanta GA (2011)
“Each teacher interacts with many students. The 60 teachers here will return and impact several thousand students. By educating teachers we give our schools a rich understanding of Israel and help prepare them to be knowledgeable and aware young Jews.”
Shelley F. Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School, St. Louis Park, MN (2011)
“Toda Rabah. Thank you—I have become more informed on Modern Israel. We need more teachers to attend these workshops. Learning from historians is the only way to learn the truth of our people!”
Carol A. Temple Beth-El, St. Petersburg, FL (2011)
“Thank you for the best educators’ workshop I have ever attended. The organization and thought that went into the conference is greatly appreciated.”
Lori R. Temple Emanu-El Kurn Religious School, Tuscon, AZ (2011)
“Brilliant speakers, wonderful content in depth, excellent training in methodology.”
Rabbi Morris B. Solomon Schechter High School of Long Island, Glen Cove, NY (2011)
“Thank you very much for your generosity in all aspects of this conference. It’s another example of Jews helping Jews in an unstinting manner. I am awed, humbled, delighted.”
Marilyn O. Port Jewish Center Hebrew School, Port Washington, NY (2011)
"When you inspire one teacher you inspire generations. What you brought to me will be spoken for years to come."
Marilyn A. Temple Beth Shalom, Mahopac, NY (2010)
"Thank you so much for the amazing workshop. No Amount of money could have purchased these experiences."
Daniel B. Congregation Beth Tikvah, Hewlett Bay Park, NY (2010)
"They say that knowledge is power. I feel so empowered about the Land of Israel."
Ellis R. Jewish Day School of Lehigh Valley, Allentown, PA (2010)
"Fabulous workshop. I am re-energized and focused-- ready to bring the love of Israel to my school in a new way."
Jennifer D. Solomon Schechter Day School of Westchester, Hartsdale, NY (2010)
"It was a privilege being taught by “the best in the field.” As a veteran teacher and winner of the Grinspoon-Steinhardt award for excellence in teaching, I was not expecting to learn as much as I did from the pedagogic sessions, which only goes to show there is always something new to learn! I am…looking forward to going back to school to share my experience and the wealth of resources with my colleagues.”
Eleanor B. King David High School, Vancouver, BC (2008)
“[The] lectures on pedagogy, culture, and so much more have left me inspired, excited, and so eager to get back into the classroom and put all of this into practice. I will be spending most of my summer creating curriculum for my 6th and 8th graders, and if they are ¼ as excited as I am, I will have succeeded beyond my wildest dreams.”
Ilona S. Giedoen Hausner Jewish Day School, Palo Alto, CA (2008)
“The caliber of the speakers was outstanding and helped raised Jewish education to great heights and potential. As serious educators, having such an exceptional encounter allowed us all to leave Emory with the professional respect that we all seek...as an Israeli, prior to coming, I was wondering how much such a conference would benefit me. My sense of curiosity overruled and I decided to attend. I was so pleased to find out that each lecture and each speaker had so much to offer, beyond anything that I would have imagined.”
Tamara Ruben, Temple Beth El-Mekor Chayim, Cranford, NJ (2008)
“The materials the workshop instructors have come up with is the highlight of the conference. These are teachers’ teachers…Unlike a lot of conferences, I’m coming home with a suitcase full of ideas!”
Rina W. B'nai Shalom Day School, Greensboro, NC (2008)
“I learned a great amount and was very impressed with the high caliber of the presenters and quality of materials [and] resources. It's unfortunate that more American citizens don't have the opportunity to hear the perspectives shared in order to form more well founded and reasoned opinions related to Israel.”
Paula F. Stevenson Elementary, Bellevue, WA (2008)
“I teach at both a Jewish Day School and a synagogue afternoon school, but have never been to Israel and my knowledge about the country was woefully limited. I know that I can go back to my students now feeling much more confident in relating to them what I have been taught. I am sure that the informational resources that you have provided, the opportunity to learn from such magnificent people and the possibility of continuing a network with new peer friends, will continue to influence my teaching methods for many years.”
Beverly B. Congregation Etz Chaim, Marietta, GA (2008)
“This past week in Atlanta was an important week in my life as an educator, as an Israeli, as a Jewish American, and as a mom to Jewish children because I got to study with bright, wonderful people, listen to some of the best minds sharing valuable knowledge, eat yummy food ALL DAY, enjoy all that was offered to us, but mostly because of the way that I was inspired all over again…I have been an educator for a very long time, and believe that our job is meaningful, and critical in the days in which we live, however, it is also very easy to get lost in the daily tasks that we need to complete. A week with ISMI made me pause, take a deep breath, and remember what our job is really all about.”
Tamar W. Washington Hebrew Congregation, Washington, DC (2008)
“Thanks for re-inspiring me about the importance of educating about modern Israel. Now that we are home, I hope that we can come up with as many ways as possible to infuse it into life at our temple and beyond.”
Rachel F. Temple Shir Tikva, Wayland, MA (2008)
"Thank you again for a wonderful week. As I said, I've been to many conference but rarely have all of the arrangements and accomodations been so perfectly executed. I especially appreciated the private room. And the conference istelf was first rate. I've been sharing my notes from various speakers with friends and family. Today I'm sitting down to work on my plans for my Zionism class this fall. The problem is selecting from such a rich collection of articles and ideas!"
Rabbi Dov B. Gann Academy, Waltham, MA (2006)
"It was wonderful being with you last week. It was an amazing workshop and I look forward to working with you to engage Pittsburgh Jewish educators in Israel education."
Sue L. United Jewish Federation, Pittsburgh, PA (2006)
I have been in education for 15 years, and this course is by far the best teacher's course I have ever attended. The content was stimulating, the speakers were excellent and overall organization was top notch! Thank you for enrtiching my life!"
Yvonne C. Shomrei Torah Religious School, Santa Rosa, CA (2006)
“...your workshop was phenomenal. It was inspiring and I learned so much. We had our school staff meeting today and I suggested numerous ideas that can be incorporated into the school’s culture, across the board at all grade levels to help connect the students to Israel. Thank you for an enlightening educational experience.”
Varda F. Temple Emanuel Religious School, Waban, MA (2005)
“Ken Stein is a visionary, a bench-mark, brilliant scholar, a dynamic and inspiring lecturer, who reaches out to anyone who wishes to learn on any level about Zionism, Israel, and education, I applaud the Avi Chai Foundation for funding his endeavors...the workshops are precious gems among so much unfortunate mediocrity in the area of Jewish education.”
Barbara G. The Frisch School, Paramus, NJ (2005)
“Everything was exceptionally organized and that the speakers were phenomenal. And the materials - you have given me such great materials...I now have a vast repertoire from which to draw lesson plans. You have helped me to become a better teacher, and I and my students are indebted to you. I can think of no better way to begin my career–you and your colleagues have left me inspired and excited to begin my teaching of modern Israel and Jewish history in general.”
Beth H. The Weber School, Atlanta, GA (2005)
"...let me again congratulate you on a terrific ISMI seminar, with its consistently very high caliber presenters, well thought out and orchestrated logistics, excellent resource materials, wonderful choice of accommodations, and the overall high value of the ISMI program."
Michael L. Bureau of Jewish Education, San Francisco, CA (2004)
"I
want to let you know what a phenomenal time I had. I was seriously
floored by the quality of the staff and speakers!!! I have gained even
more insight on the issues I care most about."
Danielle B. Congregation Emanu-El Religious School, Houston, TX (2004)
"...wanted
to say once again it was an incredible week... You are doing a mitzvah
with the work you are doing. You are helping us get back to some of
the next generation from forgetting about our connection to Israel."
Andrew P. Temple Emanuel of Tempe Religious School, Tempe, AZ (2004)
"First
let me extend my heartfelt gratitude for one of the best professional/personal
experience I have had in a while... The clarity and organized mode
of most presenters were real assets for me... Not only were we honored
by the best and brightest in the field of Israel study, but we were
treated royally. The mutual respect and kavod had to get all of us
lots of those old "Mitzvah Points." Seriously, all presenters
modeled the type of behavior WE must show OUR students."
Alice N. Congregation Agundath Achim Religious School, Taunton, MA (2004)
"...thank
you for the wonderful experience that I had this past summer... It
was empowering for me. I have spoken about it often in the community..."
Shelley K. Margolin Hebrew Academy, Memphis, TN (2004)
"I
was privileged to attend the Emory Institute for the Study of Modern
Israel Workshop at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles last week.
It was the most intense and high-quality workshop I have ever attended...
we learned from superior professors... Each of them shared their expertise
with us and taught us about Israeli politics, government, culture and
history. They presented the material in a professional and understandable
way. Best of all, they inspired us to incorporate more Israel education
into our American Jewish Religious Schools."
Ellen F. Temple Solel School, Encinitas, CA (2004)
"From
the first morning's program it was apparent
that you run a class act. In organizing the program, from logistical
details
to the order of
the sessions, you left nothing to chance. Everything was carefully
thought out and meticulously planned. You selected presenters who were
not only experts in their fields, but dynamic and inspiring speakers,
as well."
Phoebe W. The Frisch School, Paramus, NJ (2003)
"As
someone who lived in Israel for 11 years, and having spent considerable
time reading and studying about Israel, I came to the workshop with
a solid base of knowledge about Israel. I came away from the workshop
with a much wider base of knowledge, many creative ideas for teaching
about Israel and an incredible gift of fantastic teaching resources."
Bob F. Temple Beth-El, South Bend, IN (2003)
"I am still reeling from all of the information presented at last week's Israel seminar for Jewish educators. I can't begin to tell you how much I learned not only about Israel, but about being a teacher and a learner... Designing the workshop with an eye to both learning and doing enabled each of us to come away with information and practical suggestions for its implementation. This generally does not happen. Seminars for educators usually focus on one or the other, not both. Mazal tov!"
Iris S. Ner Tamid, Bloomfield, NJ (2003)
"Invaluable was the booklet of documents you provided, as was the entire binder of resource materials. The dialogue, both stimulating and provocative, among participants and speakers, integrated throughout the workshops, was useful in helping us internalize the complex concepts set forth."
Ruth P. Bureau of Jewish Education, Providence, RI (2003)
"At
the conference, a group of us put together a curriculum on teaching
the modern state based on Proclamation of the State of Israel.
We discussed how to bring the document 'alive' for the children by
using maps, games, play-acting and discussion. I'm looking forward
to developing this idea into a year long course."
Kathy L. Solomon Schechter Community Day School, Pittsburgh, PA (2004)
"I
never imagined that the last week would make such a difference both
for our school and for me personally. I was exposed to more brilliant
experts in their field in one week than during my entire undergraduate
and graduate careers."
Simone S. Ohavay Zion Synagogue Religious School, Lexington, KY (2003)
"I arrived in Atlanta as a teacher already committed to trying my personal
best to build a bridge between my students and their Jewish connection
to Israel. When I left the course, Friday, June 27, 2003, not only
was I strengthened in my commitment to work even harder to help these
young people build their bridge, I found myself vastly better prepared."
Lewis W. Temple Emanuel of South Hills, Pittsburgh, PA (2003)
"I
enjoyed the intensity and passion that surrounded the entire duration
of the workshop. I have visited Israel through the eyes of a tourist.
I am now very motivated to travel there as a teacher."
Robin L. Temple Israel religious School, Charlotte, NC (2003)
"You
have made it so easy for me to share primary source materials with
my students and have given them an opportunity to use higher level
thinking skills to analyze, evaluate, and draw conclusions about events
of one hundred years ago and apply them to situations now and make
inferences about the future... I will no longer go into a state of
panic when my principal asks me to teach about Israeli elections or
Israeli government! My life has been so enriched..."
Rhoda W. Torah Day School, Atlanta, GA (2002)
"I
must declare that the Pre-Collegiate Teacher Workshop on the History,
Culture and Politics of Modern Israel was by far the most enriching
and important educational workshop I have attended as a Jewish and
Israeli educator in the last decade... The workshop's distinctive quality
was obvious from its inception up to its completion... I invested so
little money in something that gave me back so much in return..."
Shlomit A. Temple Beth-El, Birmingham, AL (2002)
"The week spent filled a massive void in the material we are normally instructed to use... It is absolutely necessary to teach the students of modern Israel for them to continue to show an interest in the survivability and the continuation of Israel as they mature into adults. The future support of Israel by future generations is absolutely essential..."
Gayle H. Congregation Shir Tikvah, Troy, Michigan (2002)
"Those six days transported me to a higher level of thinking and raised my awareness of the world around me... I have brought home with me a deeper respect for the history and culture of Israel and an understanding of the politics which I did not have prior to this experience. I feel empowered to share my knowledge with my students and colleagues..."
Teresa H. The Emery/Weiner School, Houston, Texas (2002)
"This six day course has changed my approach to the study of Israel for my 7th graders. Having such exceptional educators share their knowledge and teaching philosophies has motivated me to prepare a year long course incorporating so much more than I have in the past... As a religious school teacher at Temple Beth Tikvah, a docent at the William Bremen Jewish Museum and a volunteer at Jewish Family Services, I plan to strongly encourage my fellow faculty, public school educators and other religious school educators to take part in this program... The time is long overdue for all teachers to give a comprehensive and accurate account of Israel's history to all students..."
Ellen H. Temple Beth Tikvah, Roswell, Georgia (2002)
"This workshop has provided me with insights and knowledge, which are critical in making good and appropriate decisions for shaping our school's curriculum... I have complete 33 years in school settings, both public and now religious. I cannot identify any other course, which has had such an impact on me..."
Charles H. Yeshivat Rambam, Baltimore, Maryland (2002)
"This was definitely one of the finest conferences I have ever attended in my 30 years of being a Jewish educator... The fact that we walked away with an incredible collection of usable materials was an added bonus. I returned to my community feeling enlightened and excited by my experience at Emory..."
Mary B. Talmud Torah, Minneapolis, Minnesota (2002)
"This
past week at Emory was an amazing educational experience. I found
the conference to be well organized with truly outstanding
presenters.... My staff is in awe of the materials that I brought
home. We will be
integrating them into our curriculum at the 5th and 10th grade levels
where we concentrate on Israel and throughout the school where appropriate."
Dorothy H. Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL (2000)
"The caliber of presenters was outstanding and the subjects/materials were informative and useful. The joint focus on content and teaching methods was rare and very pragmatic.... An added bonus to the workshop is the group of colleagues with whom I can continue to network to help in my teaching."
Evelyn K. Akiva School, Nashville, Tennessee (2000)
"On
a personal note, the workshop experience re-energized my commitment to
Jewish education."
David L. Consolidated High School of Jewish Studies, Charlotte, NC (2000)
"The
workshop was undoubtedly one of the richest learning experiences that
I can remember."
Eileen C. Congregation Beth Shalom, Atlanta, GA (2000)
"The
formal sessions provided us with an opportunity to explore Israeli
history, politics, and culture on a high level while constantly considering
how we can translate this material for our students...The informal
gatherings in the hotel lobby enabled us to learn about the work of
our colleagues in different areas of the country."
Rebecca F. Solomon Schechter Day School of Nassau County, Glen Cove, NY (2000)
*Please note: in July 2008, the CIE inherited the Emory Institute for the Study of Modern Israel's prestigious decade of experience, including its nationally renowned professional development workshops.