JNF Education
The JNF Education Department aims to educate in an imaginative, creative, professional and unique way. It provides relevant support to the whole Jewish community, with particular emphasis on the younger generation, in strengthening its bond with the land of Israel and knowledge of its history and people. We aim to reach out to children and young people through schools, youth clubs, youth movements and universities, to deliver Israel and JNF educational resources, materials and quality programmes. A team of staff travel to wherever needed and provide the resources and programmes that will continue to educate and inspire the next generation of JNF supporters.
For more info on JNF Education, please visit the site: http://www.jnfeducation.co.uk
The “Israel Experience” is a partnership which has been created between the JNF and Jewish primary schools. Year 6 students are inspired with an extra passion for Israel through various formal and informal activities incorporating geographic, religious and historic aspects, linking up to all areas of the curriculum. This 3-day educational hands-on experience is conducted indoors as well as outdoors. The children enjoy scouting activities such as erecting a tent, field cooking and taking part in sports competitions. Educational facilitators are brought over specially from Israel.
“Israel Today” is an educational resource pack which links Israel’s geography to the UK Geography National Curriculum Key Stage 2. It is designed according to the aims and objectives of the QCA. The topics covered include water, weather, mountains, rivers and coastal areas, as well as JNF. Through our in-house and in-school training sessions, teachers throughout the UK have had the opportunity to gain first hand experience about the many aspects of Israel relevant to this project. They are better equipped to implement the teaching of Israel geography, history and culture by integrating our “Israel Today” resource pack into their classroom teaching.
Pen Pal exchange
A special platform has been set up for primary school children in Israel and England to have a Pen Pal exchange. This enables the children to communicate with each other; to tell each other what being Jewish in Israel and England means to them; and to experience shared ideas and interests. It also gives the Israeli children the opportunity to use their English and the English children to use their Hebrew.
Tu B’Shevat and Summer Roadshows are very popular with primary schools and synagogue day schemes. These annual events take place across the country, bringing a fun and educational experience to the participating youngsters. Our aim is to provide an interactive Tu B’Shevat Seder experience for the children and to highlight the JNF connection to the festival and trees. The Summer roadshow exposes children to Israel and the JNF.
Israel Clubs
We are involved in providing a number of schools with Israel Clubs, run on a weekly basis. In some of the schools the project is run in partnership with Youth Movements who provide the facilitators to work with JNF programmes. This exciting educational club gives children an awareness of Israel in an informal, fun and educational way, and is offered during and after school hours. Throughout the various sessions, children travel around Israel exploring its culture, society, history, environment and geography. The aim is to encourage children to develop a range of skills and knowledge as well as an increased enthusiasm for Israel.
Publications
As well as publishing our own ECO magazine for children, and creating a weekly report on up-to-date Israeli news, the department is also involved in other publications such as the Israel Update. We also write articles for youth magazines and youth movement booklets.
Activities in Israel
In addition to our work in the UK, we at JNF Education carry out activities in Israel, focusing on two main areas:
1) Educational services and activities for groups coming from the UK, such as youth movements and gap year students. We aim to give them an Israel experience creating strong links between the educational activities taking place in the UK and those in Israel.
2) Providing educational content and back-up for the various projects that JNF UK is supporting in Israel – the educational arm in Israel having constant contact with these meaningful projects. This adds a valuable dimension, enhancing the link between Israel, JNF and the projects that it assists, ultimately making it possible for Israeli citizens to benefit from our support.