JconnecT (Culturally Based Programs, Hebrew Language Programs, Israel Education Programs, Online Programs, Teen Programs)

City: Weekly virtual meetings with students from all over North America; face to face meetings twice a year in Memphis, TN

Auspice/Sponsorship: Margolin Hebrew Academy, Memphis TN

Contact Information:Rabbi Dr. Gil Perl, Ms. Smadar Goldstein, 901-481-0674, jconnect@mhafyos.org

Website: bit.ly/jconnect

Year Established: 2009

Category: Culturally Based Programs, Hebrew Language Programs, Israel Education Programs, Online Programs, Teen Programs

What are the goals of the program

Connecting Jewish youth to Judaism, Israel and each other using web-based conferencing software enabling easy student access from anywhere in the world. 

What is the structure of the program?

Weekly Online Jewish Learning. Sundays, 10-10:45 CST and 11-11:45 CST. Students are required to have headsets with microphones, laptops and high speed internet. Students log in from anywhere, usually at home. Learners are youth in grades 6-12 that do not access formal Jewish education and/or are looking for high quality Jewish learning interaction with like-minded peers. Students do not need to have a background in Jewish subjects. JconnecT has educated students come from all backgrounds. 

What was the genesis of the program and what need was it meant to serve?

The program was designed to provide an opportunity for Jewish youth in small communities that lack formal educational opportunities after the age of Bar and Bat Mitzvah to study together on Sunday mornings in an active virtual classroom. The goals of the program were to enhance their Jewish knowledge, to strengthen their Jewish identity, and to enlarge their Jewish social network.

What are the key elements and underlying principles of this model/initiative? 

The Jewish people have always maintained a "global community" called 'Klal Yisrael". The technology provided by the internet enables us to make that global community more concrete for our young people at a time when sociological studies indicate that the connections seem to be weakening.

What (other) factors made this model/initiative successful?

An important factor has been the innovative curriculum that has been employed. The focus on relevant topics such as contemporary Jewish issues, leadership, and the like has enabled us to engage the students while communicating to them that Judaism has something important to say about issues that are significant to them.