Issue 18 - October 1997/Tishri 5758
Contents
Last year's Lishma Conference proved a great success with educators
throughout London over the Winter holiday period. Lecturers from across the
modern, orthodox spectrum held a series of seminars on a wide range of topical
and relevant subjects.
This year's Conference will be held at Stanmore Synagogue on Wednesday 31
December 1997 and Thursday 1 January 1998. The AJE is delighted to tell you
that we have negotiated a 50% saving for members on the cost of the two day
conference, which will now only cost you £10 for two whole days. This
discount will only apply if you book through the AJE and is only available to
members.
With a 'Winter Scheme' for children also planned, demand will be heavy.
More details? email lishma@brijnet.org
Phone 0181 343 6266.
When we asked you what sort of Professional Development Courses you wanted,
you were not backward in coming forward with your ideas! We responded by
organising our most comprehensive programme to date. The numbers of participants
attending so far have been well above last year's attendance levels.
One of the most important courses which we have ever organised is the St
John Ambulance Lifesaver Plus First Aid Course which will run during the Spring
Term. Successful completion will qualify participants as appropriately trained
personnel. Places are limited so book now by contacting Melanie
Weinstein by email aje@brijnet.org or
phone 0181 343 6288.
The whole country will shortly be bombarded with information about the new
Government's plans to improve the literacy of British children.
One of the major activities will be the National Year
of Reading, which will run from September 1998. This will also
provide the Jewish education world with a wonderful opportunity to promote
Jewish reading throughout the entire community. The Agency for Jewish Education
is taking the lead in promoting 1998/99 as the British National
Year of Jewish Reading, which will run in parallel with the
Government campaign and will concentrate on projects to encourage reading both
of Hebrew and English books. This is a truly cross-generational project, with
many exciting opportunities for promoting adult, parent, child and family
reading.
We are committed to working with schools, part-time centres, adult
education groups and family education providers throughout the country in a true
partnership for the benefit of the whole community. We are inviting senior
professionals to a series of planning meetings over the next few weeks. The
National Year of Jewish Reading will be a
wonderful opportunity to promote the language and literature of Judaism. From
our initial discussions with education leaders, we feel sure that you will want
to be involved. For more information, see future editions of 'Agency News'.
In an exciting new development, the Agency for Jewish Education has
launched the BELS Project (Business Education
Links). Many schools will be aware of the National Curriculum and Ofsted
inspections for positive links between the school and business or industry. The
AJE is pioneering a partnership project which not only fulfils this requirement
but also has strong Jewish Studies links. Project Co-ordinator, Jeffrey Leader,
has worked with Agency staff and outside consultants to produce an exciting
pilot scheme with a number of Jewish bakers in North West London. Working with
the Jewish Studies staff at the Michael Sobell Sinai School, the
BELS Project brings together science and
technology, as well as Jewish Studies, and, after thorough piloting, will be
made available to schools throughout the country.
The Project could be equally valuable for Part-time Centres and may be
piloted in one or two centres later in the year. Commenting on the Project,
Jeffrey Leader says, "This has given Jewish schools the opportunity to
fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum, whilst at the same time
enhancing Jewish Studies. We are delighted that the AJE has been able to take a
lead and we are certain that this is going to be a success." For more
information on the BELS Project, contact Jeffrey
Leader by email jl-aje@brijnet.org or
phone on 0181 343 6287.
All of our regular readers will know that Janette
Moore has been our Resource Centre Co-ordinator
for many years after a distinguished career in teaching. With her children now
grown up and her two sons living in Israel, Janette decided to make aliya just
before Rosh Hashanah. Her friends and colleagues gathered to wish her
'Hatzlachah Rabba Ulehitra'ot' at the ERC recently, but we are sure that she
will still be in regular touch with us through e-mail. Janette's job was a
vital one and the search for a successor is already under way.
You will probably have received the new edition of 'The
Jewish Educator' by now. Copies were distributed to all members and
our sister institutions in early September. Messages of congratulations have
come from Britain, Israel and the United States and we are delighted that the
new edition of 'The Jewish Educator' has been
such an immediate hit! We will be delighted to receive articles for the next
edition, preferably on disk, by Friday 19 December 1997. Articles should be no
longer than 2500 words and may be of any relevant Jewish educational subject.
Accompanying photographs will be particularly welcome.
We are particularly impressed with a new range of multi-coloured, pupil
incentive stickers from America, some at much less than a penny each. For more
information, contact Mr G Lamm, 77 Holmleigh Road, London, N16 5QG.
We are delighted to welcome a new member of our support staff.
Melanie Weinstein, a former staff member of the
old London Board of Jewish Religious Education, has re-joined us, initially to
cover for Deborah Harris who is shortly to go on
maternity leave. Melanie can be contacted on email
aje@brijnet.org or 0181 343 6288.
Infant/Teacher Assistant for LK Department at the Wolfson Hillel Primary
School. Please contact school office for information on 0181 882 6487.
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Tishri 5758/October 1997