What makes the ISJL's Education program unique is its delivery system - the Community Support, which includes virtual and in-person coaching, consultation, and visits from our staff.

This support can include:

Teacher Training Workshops
One of the most frequently-provided services, teacher training workshops are a great way to enhance staff development and help both veteran and rookie teachers build their skills and confidence. ISJL PA-led teacher training workshop topics have included:

• Classroom Management
• Learning Styles/Differences
• Working with a multi-grade classroom
• Tips and Tricks for Teachers
• Providing training for mad'richim (teacher assistants)
• Formulating lessons catered to the individual needs of an individual school
• And many more!

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Services/Religious Life
​Particularly in communities without full-time rabbinical services, Program Associates are often asked to lead services. Even in congregations with full-time rabbinical services, PAs are also regularly included in services. Types of services have included:

• Shabbat Evening/Morning
• Tot Shabbat
• Youth Min'yanim (Shabbat Evening/Shabbat Morning/Religious School)
• Hav'dalah Services
• Alternative style services (eg make-your-own musical, humanistic Shabbat, meditation, and pop songs Shabbat
• Offering musical accompaniment or other creative resources for liturgy

Community Programs

• PAs have often led other cultural or social programs for a community.  Previous programs have included:
  • Leading a k'hilah (religious school assembly)
  • Creating and implementing an all-school holiday program
  • Modeling a lesson/teaching a part of a religious school class
  • Song session for students
  • Leading a Torah or text study for adults
  • Special youth group events (camp out, lock-in, retreat)
  • Miscellaneous programs (challah making, book club meetings, auxiliary/mitzvah project)

Between visits, each PA is "on call" to the communities throughout the year. They're available to guide teachers through the ISJL curriculum, plan programs, speak to board members, and provide assistance and support to directors. PAs also assist with ISJL literacy programming.