Seminars for Educators
Jewish Eco Seminars offers professional development seminars for Jewish educators of all denominations on Jewish values, ecology, and Israel. The workshops explore the intersection of Israel, environmental issues, and Jewish values through educational strategies for engaging learners in meaningful, relevant Jewish learning that addresses a core concern of many Jews: how we treat our common home.
As students and communities grow increasingly concerned about the future of our planet, Jewish educators face a unique opportunity—and responsibility—to bring Jewish tradition into conversation with urgent ecological realities. We equip educators to teach environmental concepts through Jewish sources, as well as through experiential, outdoor activities that relate to the textual learning.
We also offer follow-up support to ensure the integration of the seminar’s lessons into the educator’s regular teaching. By drawing on rich Jewish sources and experiential learning methods, participants will leave with the skills, confidence, and content knowledge needed to bring Jewish ecology and Israel alive in their classrooms and congregations.
Workshops are led by experienced Jewish environmental educators who command a mastery of Jewish teaching, deep familiarity with inspiring groups and extensive experience in experiential and outdoor education. Our educators are based both in Israel and in North America.
Goals of the Seminars
- Promote Professional Development: Bolster Jewish educators’ understanding of Jewish environmental teachings and the environmental challenges facing Israel and the world.
- Empower Educators: Equip participants to confidently teach about Judaism and the environment using engaging texts, case studies, and experiential methods.
- Inspire Young Jews: Support educators in engaging students by linking ecological concern—a central value for many youth—to Jewish tradition and Israel.
Design of the Seminars
The seminars will include:
- Text Study Sessions: Exploring classical and modern Jewish texts related to care for God’s creation, stewardship, the Land of Israel, and climate ethics.
- Ecological Case Studies from Israel: Highlighting Israeli innovations in water conservation, agriculture, renewable energy, and climate resilience.
- Experiential Learning Activities: Modeling how to integrate outdoor activities into educational programming, including Jewish eco games.
- Curriculum Integration Strategies: Practical guidance on integrating available resources for day schools and supplementary Hebrew schools.
- Topics to be addressed in the workshops: Israel and environmental innovation; Torah and care for creation; food, agriculture and Jewish values; and bal tashchit, consumption and waste.
- Networking & Collaboration: Opportunities for educators to share ideas, form partnerships, and access ongoing support and resources.
All workshop participants will receive a copy of Eco Bible volume one: An Ecological Commentary on Genesis and Exodus, as well as sample printed source sheets.
Jewish Eco Seminars (JES) emerged out of a successful 2008 pilot project of eight seminars for 140 Jewish educators in the San Francisco Bay Area. The project was implemented by Canfei Nesharim and the Bureau of Jewish Education, funded by the Gaia Fund, and initiated and managed by the founder of JES.
Contact Jewish Eco Seminars
For more information or to arrange for a Jewish Eco Seminar in your institution or community, please contact us.