Ruben Shimonov (he/him), National Director of Sephardi House and Education, American Sephardi Federation
Aḥdut (Unity) & Yeḥidut (Diversity): A Mosaic Peoplehood Approach to Jewish Pedagogy and Belonging — Artifact and primary source exploration (visual, audial, written), storytelling and personal reflection, small and large-group discussion, interactive activities and games (will include recorded liturgical music)
The journey of the Jewish People has always been marked by simultaneous diversity and connectivity. In our session, we will explore this special duality as a powerful pedagogical tool for Jewish educators—a framework that can help learners explore Jewish identity, history, and traditions in a dynamic way that deepens their knowledge of the eclectic tiles, as well as the entire collective masterpiece, of the Jewish mosaic. By investigating the theory and practice of the Mosaic Jewish Peoplehood Model, we will also engage in a more expansive definition of Jewish texts. Celebrating Jewish diversity while also deepening a sense of global Jewish belonging and unity, this pedagogy can offer new ways to engage, enlighten and empower our communities.
