The Collaborative for Applied Studies in Jewish Education, in partnership with various organizations, organized a face-to-face gathering of Jewish educational leaders at George Washington University in November 2022. The event aimed to explore the intersection of professional development, Jewish education, and research, facilitated by The Collaboratory.
Recently, the Graduate School of Education and Human Development at George Washington University revealed its initiative to establish a new center for Jewish learning named “The Collaboratory.” This center is designed to advance Jewish education and set key priorities for the future of Jewish education within the university.
The establishment of The Collaboratory follows years of meticulous planning and groundwork to enhance the scope of Jewish learning and streamline the efforts of three Jewish educational institutions at the university. Dean Michael Feuer expressed that the field of Jewish education necessitates a central entity like The Collaboratory to provide vision, coherence, and rigor to the diverse landscape of Jewish education.
With the launch of The Collaboratory, the three collaborating organizations—The Collaborative for Applied Studies in Jewish Education focusing on research, the Mayberg Center for Jewish Education and Leadership emphasizing public engagement, and the graduate programs in Israel Education and Experiential Jewish Education for academic readiness—are embarking on a journey to collaborate and navigate their shared space effectively.
The leadership of The Collaboratory will be jointly managed by Dr. Benjamin M. Jacobs and Dr. Arielle Levites, who bring years of experience at the university and previously oversaw programs now integrated into The Collaboratory. This integration aims to unite diverse areas of expertise and networks to comprehensively address Jewish education and the American Jewish experience.
One significant advantage of The Collaboratory is the streamlining of efforts and reduction of redundancies among the programs. By consolidating resources and expertise, the center can achieve more impactful outcomes and advance their missions collectively.
The ongoing initiatives of The Collaboratory include a campus antisemitism speaker series, an annual fellowship and summer institute on antisemitism and Jewish inclusion, the establishment of a CASJE Research Digest following recent events, and the continuation of the Israel education program. These endeavors align with the center’s objective to tackle contemporary Jewish education and research challenges amid a period of significant change within the Jewish community.
The Collaboratory aspires to be a hub for addressing research and educational transformations within the modern Jewish community. Leveraging their established networks and initiatives, the center aims to gain insights into the American Jewish experience and contribute to the vitality and growth of American Jews and Jewish education.