‘Surfacing the Joy’

Abby Aloni’s days at Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School are busy with both planned events and “surprises” that need her immediate attention.

“Keeping everything organized to ensure I don’t drop a ball can be challenging,” the early childhood director explained.

Aloni was among more than 80 Jewish educators and engagement professionals at JUF’s “Surfacing the Joy: How We Meet the Moment” networking and learning event in December. Inside Bryn Mawr Country Club in Lincolnwood, the warmth was palpable, despite the frigid temperatures outdoors.

Attendees learned about a diverse array of topics facing Jewish professionals today, from a variety of speakers including: Keshet President and CEO Jennifer Phillips; Spertus Institute Dean and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Keren Fraiman; Productivity and Efficiency Consultant Diana Bloom; and Inheritance Theater Project Executive Director and Co-founding Artist Jonathan Adam Ross.

Aloni left the event with strategies that she plans to implement right away. “Diana Bloom’s session ‘From Intention to Action: Mastering Task Management’ was so helpful,” she reflected. “She was so engaging, and I left her session with practical strategies and systems to implement right away. As Diana shared, ‘Completion creates energy!'”

“This session helped me rethink some of my working strategies,” added Lauren Reeves, director of education at Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation and President of ChARJE, the Chicago area organization of Reform Jewish Educators. “Often, as a Jewish educator, I spend a lot of professional development time on creative and Jewish content-based opportunities. This session focused on more of the business side, helping me become a better leader.”

Discussion topics ranged from principles of universal design in classrooms and other communal spaces and discussing the Israel-Hamas War, to engaging students in Jewish traditions and celebrations. In addition to breakout sessions, participants learned songs from Eliana Light, took professional headshots, created flower arrangements, and relaxed with a massage.

Addressing the event’s attendees, Associate Vice President of JUF Education Anna Hartman emphasized the importance of coming together in the name of joy. “Today, we’re only 14 months past what is the darkest days in Israeli and Jewish history, and that trauma is ongoing,” she said. “However, we also have data that shows us that in this darkness, seeds of joy are taking root.

“Nationwide, the Jewish community is experiencing what experts are calling a surge,” she continued. “Individuals and families who drifted away from our community are now seeking to re-engage. Since October 7, 43% of North American Jews have sought to, or have, engaged more with Jewish life. This is remarkable.”

Finding silver linings amongst the trauma of the past year was among the central themes of the diverse slate of breakout sessions.

“Before October 7, one of our biggest concerns about young Jews was that they don’t care,” Fraiman explained during her session on the complexity of Israel Education. In fact, she recommended educators engage in uncomfortable conversations in order to take advantage of “this enormous educational opportunity.”

“October 7 is a historical anchor,” Fraiman said.