IsraelLink
Episode description
Today's guests are Mina Rush, National Director IsrealLink and Matt Rissien, Midwest IsraelLink Managing Director.
Mina and Matt are passionate about the work they are doing to promote a curriculum that fits the need of today’s learners. During a Facebook live session, Mina explains that in creating IsraelLink, the only agenda that mattered was that of each individual student. She recognized the need to create something that enabled the students to figure out their own why for Israel. She and her research team worked to create something that would support the educational needs for both Jewish day schools and supplemental schools, as well as for informal and formal educators, and would work for all denominations, and political leanings. After much research, they developed IsraelLink.
IsraelLINK is an ever-expanding curriculum developed by a team of innovative educators, curriculum developers and educational consultants. This curriculum introduces students to the historical ties Jews have to the Land of Israel while providing portals for students to engage with modern Israel. IsraelLINK is an adaptable, online program. Learning is student-centered, experiential and project based with an emphasis on discovery.
Each students’ identity and values inform not just the how of their personal connection to Israel, but more significantly the WHY. It is important to learn about Israel as the Biblical Homeland and the realization of the Zionist dream. Equally important is understanding Israel as the incubator of the Jewish people; an evolving people whose identity, culture, values and resilience has much to offer. This provides students with not only the opportunity to learn something new about Israel, but more importantly to begin building a relationship with Israel, one that is based on the diverse points of connection that speak to each individual learner.
This curriculum is written for middle school students (6th – 8th grade) but can be adapted and modified for younger or older students. IsraelLINK provides platforms for both group and independent learning.
The IsraelLINK curriculum is currently being implemented nation-wide across all denominations in day schools, supplementary schools, youth group programs in both classroom and virtual settings.
Visit here to learn more about IsraelLink and their programs.
Follow IsraelLink on Facebook .
Definitions and Clarifications
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