Jewish Reconstructionist Federation

JRF has launched a central web portal that offers easy access to its curriculum-oriented educational materials.

The Reconstructionist Curriculum Resource Finder is an interactive, online tool serving Reconstructionist teachers, parents, and education directors. It provides a menu of suggested textbooks, story books and background material, linking directly to the publishers, on over 20 of the major topics taught in Reconstructionist congregational schools. Topics are searchable by age level, author, title and sub-categories.

The Reconstructionist Curriculum Resource Finder made its debut this week at the CAJE 33 Conference on Alternatives in Jewish Education at the University of Vermont.

JRF created the web tool in response to a survey of Reconstructionist congregations that revealed a strong need by educators for easy access to educational materials that are Reconstructionist or compatible with Reconstructionism. Noting that their curriculum changes on a regular basis, the schools cited a need for an evolving resource that reflects the continuing changes in Jewish education.

The first stage of the project, sponsored by a lead grant from Congregation Kehillat Israel in Pacific Palisades, CA, is intended to show how the resource will meet the needs of the more than 100 Reconstructionist congregations that need help identifying appropriate curriculum resources.

In developing this project, coordinators Rabbi Erin Hirsh, JRF Director of Education, and Lori Rubin, Co-chair of the Reconstructionist Educators of North America (RENA), have gone "out of the box" to develop a program which will have immediate impact as the new academic year begins. Visitors to the Reconstructionist Curriculum Resource Finder are encouraged to comment on each and every resource, sharing "best practices" in utilizing the resources, and providing data that can be used for project evaluation and improvement as the project expands. Visitors will also be able to upload their own or favorite resources to help the project evolve.

JRF anticipates the new resource will have a profound impact on Reconstructionist Jewish education.

In order to help us maximize the value of this resource, JRF has invited Reconstructionist rabbis and educators to log on and comment on as many as possible of the entries with which they are familiar or have strong opinions.

Visit www.curriculum.jrf.org now. For further information, please contact Rabbi Erin Hirsh, Director of Education at 215-885-5601 x 16 or via email at ehirsh@jrf.org.