CAJE Blog

...almost two-thirds of millennials and Gen Zers do not know that six million Jews were killed in the Holocaust, and almost half do not know the name of any concentration camp.A survey released earlier this month found that 80% of millennial respondents believe it is important to continue teaching about the Holocaust.

A new survey has found that critical gaps exist in what younger generations know about the Holocaust, calling into question the effectiveness of current Holocaust education and how it can be used to grow awareness of modern anti-Semitism and hatred…

Though different from our usual setting, the Fellows highlighted their accomplishments, offered blessings and L’Chaims to the group, shared memories of their time together, reflected on the support system Diller cultivated during the pandemic, and identified their plans to develop impact projects that they will be implementing as alumni of the Diller program.

Dr. Susan Jay grew up in Brookline, MA in a family that was very active at their large Conservative congregation. Her mother served as sisterhood president; they observed Shabbat, and most of all, she loved attending religious school. How fitting that Susan is the chairperson of the Congregational Education Committee!

I was born and raised in Tehran, Iran, during the Shah’s reign. We observed Judaism at home and went to the synagogue on the High Holy Days. I had absolutely no formal Jewish education in Iran, and of course, never advertised my Jewish faith.

For day school and Yeshiva educators in Miami, school was never “out for the summer” this year. Miami Jewish Day Schools pivoted from “crisis schooling” during the first weeks of the COVID-19 Pandemic, to virtual learning and preparing for a 2020-21 school year with many unknowns immediately thereafter.

The coronavirus pandemic is affecting every aspect of our lives and that includes how we are teaching and learning. Just as the Miami Dade public schools have been creating an ever-evolving plan on when and how to open schools, our congregational educators have been planning when and how they will be opening their religious school programs.

Melissa Buckner grew up with a strong connection and commitment to her Jewish identity and credits her mother for instilling within her a commitment to Jewish life and learning that was unique, considering Melissa’s mom grew up as a Chinese Methodist from Central America. Her mother converted to Judaism in the late 60s, which was unusual at the time, but she went “all in” to create a Jewish life for the family. Melissa attended Hebrew Youth Academy, Jewish Camps, and was very connected to her Judaism as a young child, identifying as “Conservadox.“