Directors Conference 2002 in Jerusalem: Reflections

In January, 26 participants from the United States, Canada and Australia journeyed to Jerusalem for seven days of intensive professional development at the FMAMS Eighth International Directors Conference.

The fact that the conference took place at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, during such a difficult time for Israel, heightened the sense of purpose, camaraderie and spirituality that permeated the gathering. Those who came had a very high level of motivation and their energy took the conference to great levels of learning, creativity and professional growth.

"The conference was a wonderful week of learning, networking and problem solving together," said FMAMS North American Director Dr. Betsy Dolgin Katz. "But just as important, it gave us an opportunity to be in Israel at a time when expressing our support and commitment is essential."

"Being here in Israel at this time and experiencing a small percent of what Israelis experience every day was important for me," said Aryeh Meir of West Orange, NJ.

The focus of the conference was educational leadership, theory and practice. In this regard, there were two very important sessions led by Betsy and Director of Teacher Education Judy Kupchan. The first was a jigsaw strategy experience in textual analysis and the second a directors' clinic, in which three directors brought case studies of problems in their Mini-Schools and solicited input from their peers.

Taking advantage of resources available exclusively in Israel, the conference struck a balance between the study of Torah Lishmah (study for its own sake), professional development and spiritual enrichment.

"I got a little spark of the Divine this week," said Renah Rabinowitz of Bergen County, NJ.

Each day included study sessions with scholars such as Shalom Paul, FMAMS Institute Deputy Director Haim Aronovitz, Director of Curriculum Development Dafna Siegman, and Rachel Korazim of the Jewish Agency's Department of Jewish Zionist Education.

"I can't remember the last time I enjoyed so much good studying in such a concentrated amount of time," said Joseph Lowin of Rockland County, NY.

A memorable field trip was a site-as-text trek tracing the footsteps of the Ark, beginning in Jerusalem with Dr. Howard Dietcher and continuing in Beit Shemesh with Aryeh Rutenberg. As all agreed, there is simply no better way to experience the Land of Israel and no more meaningful way to study texts than to combine the two. "Being in Israel gave us the chance to study with Hebrew University scholars and use sites as texts. No where else can you do this," said Debby Malissa of Philadelphia, PA, this year's recipient of the Distinguished Directors Award for her outstanding dedication to the Mini-School.

Another highlight was spending an inspirational Shabbat together at the Inbal Hotel in Jerusalem, which featured candle lighting on Mount Zion and a walking tour of Jerusalem lead by Haim.

Invaluable professional workshops and discussions - the tachlis part of the conference - were skillfully led by staff members: North American Associate Director Jane Sherwin Shapiro led a session on key organizational issues; Dafna and Faculty Curriculum Consultant Rabbi Morey Schwartz addressed curriculum feedback and projected plans; Director of Faculty Development Rabbi Michael Balinsky spoke about faculty issues. Prof. Steven Cohen presented the findings of his team's recent research on the impact of the Mini-School.

"The professional information was all I hoped for, the personal side was a joy, and the sum of the conference was much greater than its parts," said Rayna Gellman of Tucson, AZ.

Of no less importance was the networking aspect - the chance to learn from and with peers from around the world. "As a new director, I learned something at each session, but gained most of all from the tips over breakfast. Those conversations have been invaluable," said Toby Amir from Indianapolis, IN.

"I was moved to discover the support that we give each other," said Judy Leder of Detroit, MI.

FMAMS Israel Seminars Tour Educator Steve Israel used Israeli popular music to introduce participants to Israeli society. Jerusalem Report Editor David Horowitz gave an assessment of the current situation in Israel.

Another factor that made this conference unique was the participation of two Mini-School advisory board members - Stephanie Odle of Houston, TX, and Jan Shulkind of Overland Park, KS - and Chief Financial Officer of the Jewish Community Center in Austin, TX, Laurence Statman. Their insights and enthusiasm highlighted the importance of support from lay leadership and franchisee professional staff in the success of local Mini-Schools.

The global nature of the FMAMS network was strongly felt throughout the conference. "I got the sense of this as an international project, with a strong degree of commitment," said Peta Pellach Jones of Sydney, Australia. Participants came from Austin and Houston, TX; Bergen County and West Orange, NJ; Boca Raton and Miami, FL; Chicago, IL; Detroit, MI; Indianapolis, IN; Nashville, TN; Norfolk and Richmond, VA; Overland Park, KS; Philadelphia, PA; Phoenix and Tucson, AZ; Rockland County, NY; St. Louis, MO; St. Paul, MN; Toronto, Canada; Melbourne and Sydney, Australia.

Here is what some of them had to say at the final session:

"I was impressed with the level of professionalism and enjoyed this conversation with dedicated colleagues." - Elaine Hirsch, Phoenix, AZ

"This is sort of like being in a marriage. It's called the same thing every year, but I get something different out of the conference each time." - Rabbi Eve Ben-Ora, Houston, TX

"The conference really took advantage of what Israel and Jerusalem have to offer." - Esther Zimand, St. Louis, MO

"I enjoyed the connection with colleagues and staff. Studying with my colleagues was just phenomenal." - Sheryl Gross, St. Paul, MN

"The conference offered a wonderful combination of rediscovering Israel and fabulous professional development." - Miriam Brunn Ruberg, Norfolk, VA