Masada hosts inaugural Jewish Educators’ Professional Learning Symposium
Sydney’s Masada College, together with The University of Sydney, welcomed 80 Jewish educators from across Sydney to the inaugural Jewish Educators’ Professional Learning Symposium.
Dr Michael Abrahams-Sprod, Mira Hasofer, Robert Goot,
Sponsored by the Fund for Jewish Higher Education, and the Education Heritage Fund, educators gathered to focus on the main themes for the future of Jewish education in NSW.
David Gonski
Guest speakers at the Symposium included Mr David Gonski, Mr Robert M Goot and Professor Emerita Suzanne Rutland. Delegates had the opportunity to pose questions to Mr Gonski, arising from the Review ‘Survive to Thrive.’ They heard from Mr Goot about what educators should be doing to prepare students in their understanding of Israel for beyond the school gates and Professor Rutland addressed delegates on attracting, retaining and mentoring future leaders of Jewish education.
Dr Michael Abrahams-Sprod, Lecturer in Jewish Education at University of Sydney, said “The greatest achievement was to have representatives from all of the key stakeholders – from classroom teachers to principals present – talking and working together – they felt valued individually and as a professional body”.
Mrs Mira Hasofer, College Principal at Masada College, said it was a delight to host educators representing every Sydney Jewish Day School and an additional 10 Jewish organisations who are all involved with the Jewish education of our children. “It was the first occasion where we all had an opportunity to gather and focus on both the main themes for the future of Jewish education in NSW generally, and also, on specific initiatives for the development and cultivation of excellence amongst existing faculty in our institutions and steps to attract new talent to our ranks,” said Mrs Hasofer.
The Symposium gave delegates a forum to formulate thoughts and contribute to an action plan for the way forward; and most importantly; time together, networking, sharing and talking. “The event served to develop, to shape, to contribute and ultimately to lay the foundation for our future collaborative efforts,” said Mrs Hasofer. “
