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2024-2025 Student Workshops
Explore our workshops for the 2024-2025 academic year, designed to deepen your students’ understanding and engagement with Israel-Palestine, antisemitism, Jewish history, media literacy, and courageous conversations. Our interactive sessions are tailored to equip students with knowledge, empathy, and critical thinking skills.
Browse our offerings below to find the workshop that best aligns with your school’s goals. If there is a topic you’re interested in that’s not listed, we’re open to discussing additional options and tailoring a session specifically for your community.
Courageous conversations across differences
Before delving into complex topics, equip your students with the skills and mindsets needed to engage in courageous conversations across differences, especially on sensitive topics. Students will learn the importance of active listening, leading with curiosity, and expressing their perspectives in a way that fosters understanding. The session emphasizes the principle of extending “empathy without a rider,” promoting open-mindedness and acknowledging complexity in discussions. By practicing these skills, students will be better prepared to participate in courageous conversations within their school and community. We recommend beginning with this workshop before delving into topics related to Israel-Palestine.
Israel-Palestine: The history behind the headlines
This workshop provides students with a historical overview of the complex relationship between Jews and Arabs in the land of Israel/Palestine, starting with the significance of this land to two peoples. From the U.N. Partition Plan and the 1948 War to the Six-Day War, participants will gain insights into key events that have fundamentally shaped the region and continue to influence current events. The session aims to foster a deeper understanding of the historical context behind today’s headlines. Students will apply the Courageous Conversations principles to engage in informed and respectful discussions about these topics.
Israeli-Palestinian peace processes: Efforts and obstacles
This workshop delves into the history of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, focusing on the pivotal Oslo Accords. Students will explore the background of the secret negotiations in Oslo, Norway, that led to the signing of the accords by Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO leader Yasser Arafat in 1993. The session will examine the initial hope for peace, the subsequent resurgence of violence, and the ongoing impact of these events on the peace process. Through discussion of essential questions, students will consider the legacy of the Oslo Accords, the challenges of achieving consensus, and the major obstacles to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Students will apply the Courageous Conversations principles to engage in informed and respectful discussions about these topics.
What’s the definition of Zionism?
This workshop introduces students to the diverse schools of thought within Zionism. Students will explore six major Zionist ideologies: political, labor, cultural, revisionist, religious, and diaspora Zionism. By learning about the leaders and basic philosophies of each school, students will understand how these ideas came together and sometimes clashed around the goal of creating a Jewish state. The session aims to introduce students to the diversity of Zionist thought and discuss how these historical debates continue to influence Israeli society today.
Faces of the Holocaust
In this interactive workshop, students delve into the history of the Holocaust by examining the roles of the upstander, bystander, victim and perpetrator. Through a unique approach that emphasizes the human mosaic of this era, students gain a deeper understanding of both the history and its enduring lessons for the present day. Through exploring personal stories and the dynamics between different groups, students are encouraged to reflect on the moral choices individuals faced and the broader implications for humanity.
Kristallnacht: The beginning of the Holocaust
This workshop traces the path leading up to the Holocaust, with a focus on Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass. By examining the economic, political, and social factors that enabled Hitler’s rise to power, students understand the incremental nature of the atrocities that led to the Holocaust. Through discussion of essential questions, students explore the importance of commemorating tragedies like Kristallnacht to inform our actions and prevent future genocides.
Unpacking antisemitism: From age-old to modern conspiracies
This workshop explores the subtle and overt forms of antisemitism, using real-world examples to help students recognize and understand its roots. Students will learn to identify antisemitic tropes and conspiracies, gaining insights into their impact on Jewish identity and community. Through interactive discussions, students are empowered to recognize and challenge antisemitism and contribute to a more inclusive and respectful society.
The Jewish-American immigrant experience
In this workshop, students explore the journey of Jewish immigrants to America and their profound impact on the nation’s development. Through historical accounts and personal narratives, students will delve into the challenges and triumphs of the Jewish immigrant experience, from the vibrant communities of the Lower East Side and Harlem to the pioneering spirit of Jews in the Wild West. The session aims to foster an understanding of the diversity and resilience of the Jewish American story and its significant role in shaping American history.
Jewish-American contributions: Pioneers and trailblazers
This workshop takes a look at the contributions and complexities of influential Jewish Americans across various fields, from law and science to sports and social justice. Students will explore the lives and legacies of figures such as Louis Brandeis, Albert Einstein, Henry Kissinger, Sammy Davis, Jr., Barbara Walters, Sandy Koufax, and Henry Kissinger. Students will gain insights into how these individuals navigated challenges, broke barriers, and championed change, inspiring a deeper understanding of their impact and the legacies they leave behind.
Social media literacy 101
In today’s digital age, where information is readily available but not always reliable, this workshop helps students become critical consumers of content on social media. Students will explore how online interactions influence real-life perceptions and behavior and learn strategies to assess the credibility of sources. Using carefully selected examples, such as political advertisements and viral misinformation, the session aims to provide students with the tools to navigate the complexities of digital information responsibly. The goal is to promote thoughtful and informed online engagement, equipping students with the skills to discern reliable information from misinformation.
Media literacy 101
In an age of information overload, media literacy has never been more crucial. This workshop will equip students with the tools and skills to navigate the complex world of media and become critical consumers of information. Students will learn how to evaluate the reliability and trustworthiness of various media sources. They will explore the concept of media literacy, which involves asking questions about the messages we see, read, and hear. The session will cover key topics such as the influence of economics, values, and algorithms on media production, and five key biases commonly found in media: framing, negativity, selection, anecdotal fallacy, and omission. Students will learn how to apply a healthy level of skepticism to their media consumption and critically analyze content, helping them to develop well-informed opinions and foster respectful and informed dialogue on complex issues.
Available from August 1st
Engage with us in a way that works for your school community. We offer varying levels of engagement with our educational content, professional development opportunities, and student sessions, allowing you to tailor the level of involvement to meet your specific goals and needs.