Jewish Lens (Arts Based Programs & Resources, Culturally Based Programs & Resources, Experiential Education Programs & Resources, Jewish Text, History, & Values Programs & Resources, Online Programs & Resources)

City: National 

Auspice/Sponsorship: Independent 501c3

Contact Information: 330 Seventh Avenue, 21^st Floor, New York, NY 10001, 917.558.9018, info@jewishlens.org

Executive Director: Alisha Goodman, agoodman@jewishlens.org

Education Director: Karen Jarmon, kjarmon@jewishlens.org

Website: www.jewishlens.org, www.facebook.org/jewishlens 

Year Established: 2005

Category: Arts Based Programs & Resources, Culturally Based Programs & Resources, Experiential Education Programs & Resources, Jewish Text, History, & Values Programs & Resources, Online Programs & Resources

What are the key elements and underlying principles of the model/initiative?
The Jewish Lens (TJL) is based on the understanding that meaningful education must be experiential, have emotional impact, and empower students to develop their own ideas and follow their own passions.  By engaging students in the art of photography, TJL enables students to find personal relevance in Jewish values while expressing their own views, opinions, and creativity.

What was the genesis of the program and what need was it meant to serve?
TJL was founded by the world-renowned photographer Zion Ozeri in 2005 out of a personal desire to provide an alternative to the age old methods of Jewish teaching and learning.  Working in tandem with a curriculum writer and a diverse group of Rabbis, lay leaders and educators, a successful pilot with six supplementary and day schools in New York and Los Angeles spawned the creation of a program that is used across the denominational spectrum and in a variety of settings.  In 2009, TJL produced a more robust and user-friendly curriculum, expanding the reach of TJL to over 260 schools and other organizations across the country and in Israel.

The Jewish Lens addresses many student's indifference and boredom with established methods of Jewish education.  Today's media-saturated culture, which relies heavily on imagery, has changed the way youth interact with content.  TJL elevates the art of photography and uses it as a compelling way to engage youth with our traditions and teachings. 

What are the programs goals?
Our goals are to create a deeper, richer connection for the Jewish youth to their individual Jewish identity and community, as well as a better understanding of the unity and diversity of the Jewish people. 

Describe the Program/Methodology.
The Jewish Lens (TJL) provides experiential educational programming that facilitates students' exploration of Jewish values, identity, tradition and peoplehood using a methodology that couples photography with Jewish texts. TJL trains educators to implement curriculum in varied settings including congregational schools, day schools, camps and youth groups.

Through the modality of photography, TJL teaches participants to analyze visual content with Jewish values (such as global Jewish communities, ritual and Israel).  Images are also interpreted using traditional rabbinic and contemporary texts.  Participants take their own photographs and create their own personal commentaries. 

What is the structure of the program?

• Grades 5-12
• Hebrew schools, day schools, camps and youth groups.
• 50 minutes per lesson; 6-20, or more lessons per year
• a private social networking site where educators and students can post and share photos with participants across the country and in Israel. 

What factors make this model/initiative successful?
The combination of photography and text has introduced students to fresh ways of interacting with and creating new Jewish content.  Furthermore, by producing an end of year exhibition students are empowered to not only direct their own learning, but to then share it with family and friends. Additionally, TLJ connects students to America and Israel, cutting across geographic and language barriers through the use of images and social media. Finally, educators are provided with new tools through curriculum trainings and ongoing consultations, enabling them to integrate the methodology into their programming.