Page 5 - jr112421

Graduates bring national lessons to local educators

BY DEBORAH MOON ily meeting online, the teachers worked in
Two Portlanders were among the 41 grad- hevruta (learning partners) to reflect on their
uates in the ninth cohort of the prestigious teaching in this new context and to challenge
Mandel Teacher Educator Institute, a na- and support each other’s thinking. This year,
tional program for Jewish educators. we’ve brought hevruta learning to our stu-
Rachel Nelson and Mel Berwin are the dents in ALIYAH, using the learning part-
first Portlanders to complete this two-year nership to focus on deep listening, respectful
journey of discovery. MTEI helps educa- disagreements and getting to know Jewish
tional leaders transform their educational texts – and each other – in new ways.”
communities into places where teachers Both graduates have plans for future proj-
learn together, exploring both Jewish con- ects, too.
tent and how to enrich learning for students. Rachel Nelson, left, and Mel Berwin. After graduation, Rachel accepted the role
Even before the Nov. 10 graduation, the positions. For instance, preschool direc- as co-chair of JPro PDX. She will use some
two began transforming the landscape for tors began meeting weekly on Zoom at the of her MTEI skills to help other Jewish
the groups of educators they work with lo- start of COVID and now continue to meet communal workers learn about each oth-
cally. Rachel staffs the Portland Area Jewish monthly. Other cohorts – teen and youth er, care about each other and find ways to
Educators as part of her role as Director of group educators, congregational educators work together.
Educational Initiatives and Associate Direc- and day school principals – also have met In addition to the seven MTEI confer-
tor of Community Relations at the Jewish on Zoom during the pandemic to discuss ences, Mel is participating in a small-group
Federation of Greater Portland. Mel serves mutual concerns. research cohort with MTEI Director Mir-
as Director of Congregational Learning at “We are forging closer connections,” Ra- iam Raider-Roth, who serves as professor
Congregation Neveh Shalom, where she chel says. of educational studies and educational/
leads the large Conservative congregation’s For Mel, MTEI provided the time and community-based action research at the
youth and adult education programs. community to think about learning, teach- University of Cincinnati. The cohort has
“I am focusing on more cohort-based ing and working with teachers. met every two weeks and will complete
meetings – smaller cohorts with parallel “Much of my focus through these past final projects in February or March.
concerns,” says Rachel. two years has been on how teachers relate “Both this small group and the larger co-
Rather than having programs for the en- to their students, the content of Jewish ed- hort of MTEI have been an essential life-
tire PAJE community, she has convened ucation and each other,” Mel says. “One line of practical and inspirational support
smaller gatherings for educators in similar example is last year while we were primar- throughout this pandemic,” says Mel.
From preschool to camp, Leah Conley follows Stampfer's vision

BY DEBORAH MOON Leah compared the values at Neveh Sha-
When Leah Conley moves from her lead- lom with those at Camp Solomon Schech-
ership roles at the Foundation School and ter, which had also updated its mission and
Congregation Neveh Shalom to become visions recently.
development director at Camp Solomon “Every value is the same,” she says. “Inclu-
Schechter, many things will stay the same. sivity and innovation are the two that speak
“I’m not going anywhere,” says Leah. “I to Rabbi Stampfer’s legacy. … The core of
still live in Portland, I’m still a member Rabbi Stampfer’s spirit is still in both.”
of Neveh. I’m just engaging in a different Leah says her view of connection and be-
way.” longing were inspired by Rabbi Stampfer.
She plans to be a very active volunteer Leah and Josh Conley with Amelia, 9, and With her move to her role at camp, she
at the congregation her family calls home. Elliot, 11. says, “I see room for myself and the work I
And her professional life will also be a con- ing with Congregation Neveh Shalom’s want to do in those two areas that he started
tinuation of helping build Jewish connec- Long Range Planning Committee. When that live on in both organizations.”
tions and identity for children. an emphasis on deep engagement emerged, When she spoke to Solomon Schechter
“The mission of the organizations is very she stepped back from her role at Founda- Executive Director Zach Duitch, she found
different,” says Leah. “But the same values tion School to help start the congregation’s he was also inspirational and described a
live in both places.” engagement programming earlier this year. role that she felt drawn to.
Leah joined Neveh Shalom as Director For six years, Leah’s office was next to “I’m beyond thrilled that we can attract
of Foundation School when she moved to the office of Rabbi Emeritus Joshua Stamp- someone with Leah’s talents,” says Zach.
Portland in 2013. fer, z”l, who passed away in 2019. Rabbi “Leah is passionate, extremely personable,
“She grew Foundation School – she Stampfer created a multitude of institutions a brilliant storyteller, energetic and has
expanded the hours and ages and enroll- during his 65 years in Portland, including a strategic, values-based approach to her
ment,” says Rachel Nelson, a Foundation Camp Solomon Schechter and Foundation work. Leah has dedicated her professional
School parent who has also connected with School, as well as the Oregon Jewish Mu- life to Jewish communal service, and she’s
Leah professionally in her role as Director seum and Center for Holocaust Education, going to be a tremendous asset to our Camp
of Educational Initiatives for the Jewish the Oregon Board of Rabbis and two in- Solomon Schechter community.”
Federation of Greater Portland. “What she ternational organizations – the Society for While Leah will continue to live and
created during the pandemic got my family Crypto-Judaic Studies and the Sino Judaic work from Portland, she is looking forward
through the pandemic.” Institute. to spending part of the summers at Camp
Nearly two years ago, Leah began work- “He was a visionary,” says Leah. Solomon Schechter.
Jewish Review Nov. 24, 2021 5